Any way to cancel automatic locking stitch?

[Vezelay]

Does anyone know if there's a way to stop my Janome (DXL603) automatically doing a lock stitch at the beginning of a zigzag or decorative stitch? I'm not a fan of this - there are various reasons why I often don't want a lock stitch - and there's a button to press if I do want it. I just don't see why it's compulsory.

Googling hasn't found anything relevant so asking here since between you you know everything!

[Ohsewsimple]

Can’t remember but I think you have to put it on, so if you don’t press it it won’t be activated.

[Vezelay]

Unfortunately mine seems to be on by default - I press nothing. I tried pressing the lock button in case that cancelled it but that just sews twice the amount of lock stitches  .

[Ploshkin]

Is there an option hidden deep in a menu somewhere?

[Sara-S]

Have you contacted the company to ask?

[Vezelay]

Is there an option hidden deep in a menu somewhere?

If there is it's so deeply hidden as to be unfindable .

[Vezelay]

Have you contacted the company to ask?

No, but I might. I've had the machine about 5 years and just assumed I was stuck with that feature. Been meaning to get it serviced for months but the shop's locked down (as am I) - when we re-emerge John the owner might know.

[Helen M]

@Vezelay not sure if this could help you but I had an email from SA sewing machines in Rochdale to say they were remaining open for repairs etc. They are Janome stockists and I bought my computerised machine, that I don't get on with, from them. That was my fault not theirs. The email is sasewmac@icloud.com  and there is this one as well info@sasewingmachines.co.uk.  You can also phone them.

Your machine was the other one I was considering, I should have probably gone with it rather than the one I chose.

Maybe worth a try!

[Vezelay]

Useful to have that contact info, thanks @Helen M.

[Iminei]

You can contact Eileen at Janome HQ, shes always been incredibly helpful when Ive rung her ... Even talked me through fixing my walking foot ... Result!

When I use decorative stitches, particularly when machine stitching the binding on my quilts with the blanket stitch, I always do a test run first on a scrap to check I have the correct S. length and Width ...

When Im happy I then stop sewing just after the needle has swung back from the binding lift the presser foot, pull the threads, cut them and restart on the actual item!

That way I have thread tails to bury at the start of the stitching and the locking stitch stays on the practice piece.

[Vezelay]

Thanks @Iminei, I've just sent Janome an email. (Being "abroad" I'll only ring if I have to.) Your method has occurred to me but it's probably too much hassle for a simple zigzag stitch which I use a lot and when I already know what look the settings will give me.

[Iminei]

Ok, so just start the zigzag on a separate piece and the carry on the proper item ?

[Kayfersmum]

@Vezelay I have been scouring my Instruction manual for my Janome (5270QDC) this week as I noticed that mine is annoyingly doing the same on zigzag stitch. If you get a response from Janome please let us know!  I’m in the U.K. so if I am able I will call them and let you know if I get any closer to a solution x

[Vezelay]

No reply yet @Kayfersmum. I might try again next week. But a call could be good.

[Helen M]

@Vezelay and @Kayfersmum, I've called Janome for things in the past (I'm only 10 miles from them) and to be honest they haven't been that brilliant.

I would call SA Sewing machines Rochdale +44 (0)1706 355529, or perhaps SMD who sell a lot of Janome. SA do repairs so know machines in and out and I've spoken to SMD (they are in Wrexham) about a machine gift for a friend and he (sorry forget his name) was knowledgeable and helpful too.