When I purchased my Juki TL-2000 Qi, I was told by soooo many people that I would never, ever have the need to service it. This was a huge selling point for me. Here’s the back story behind that. I took my Husqvarna Viking in to be serviced at a “vacuum & sewing machine” repair shop. WHYYYYY did nobody stop me?? In fact, when I asked on Instagram where people in my area take their machines to be serviced, the exact place I went was recommended. My machine came back dripping in oil and functioning very differently, and not in a good way. When I started looking into a new machine a few months later, I knew I wanted something that would require less maintenance and the magical “no service required ever” promise sounded so enticing.
Fast forward to now, about a year and a half after having purchased my Juki. I started having occasional hiccups and wondered if I needed to find someone to look at it. I kept pushing that thought aside because I should “never” have to service my machine. I have literally sewn hundreds of hours on this bad boy and of course it will need to be serviced when it’s being used that heavily. I quilt my own quilts, I piece lots of tops, I sew zippers, I do EVERYTHING I can on this machine. Naturally it needs some love and care. In case you fall in the same boat that I was in (the I was told I’d never have to service my Juki boat), I thought I’d give a few tips for not only what signs your machine might give you that it’s time for some love as well as how to find a good place to take it.
SIGNS YOUR JUKI NEEDS CARE:
- repeating tension issues- I started getting random rats nests that were not reproducible nor easily fixed. It seemed like I just had to sew and sew and sew and eventually it would work itself out. For awhile……
- it just doesn’t sound as happy as it once did – this is hard to explain, but you know exactly what I’m saying if you’re having similar concerns
- your needle is hitting your bobbin case
- you can’t switch back and forth between free motion quilting and straight line sewing without tension issues
- you are diligent at oiling and cleaning, yet things still don’t feel right
- skipped stitches – I’m not just talking about needing to change a needle, because this also happens when a needle needs to be changed.
When I got the report back from getting my Juki serviced, the technician had to not only fix the timing, but also rebuild the tension. These are not tiny issues and make sense why I was having so many issues.
WHERE TO TAKE YOUR JUKI:
- DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT, take your beloved machine to just any vacuum and sewing repair shop.
- Ideally, find a Juki dealer near you and have them service it. If they sell it, they should be able to fix it.
- If you do not have a Juki dealer close to you, find another shop that sells LEGIT brands of sewing machines (I’m not talking about ones you can buy at Walmart). Be sure to call and talk to them first to see if they can service a Juki. Most shops will, but it’s always best to double check.
A sewing machine is a huge investment, as we all know, and every once in awhile needs some attention. If you are feeling like your machine just isn’t up to snuff any more, invest in its future and have it serviced!!
Thanks for sharing your experience.
l too as told that I never had to get the Juki & Janome Memory craft serviced on a routine basis, just take them in if I had a problem. Every time that I have taken the Juki in for any type of work, I get lectured by the service tech about the neglected state of my machines. He and the staff in the store always comment that these machines did not come from their store.. rather than asking if I was interested in some training or assistance, they disparage the dealer who sold my machines to me 15 years ago, who by the way has died and the store closed. I’m ready to replace these pretty soon….not going back to the sewing center that’s in my hometown. I will likely drive (when we can move about the country) and purchase a good quilting machine & embroidery machine. and I will ask about servicing and training on how to properly use the features.
regards. Pamela
Pamela,
I purchased a Bernina last summer and i LOVE it. I am so glad I did. I haven’t had a single problem with it. It’s in for its yearly tune up right now and I pulled out my Juki so I could still sew…. the best comparison I can make is that it’s like driving a pick-up truck after you’re used to driving a Mercedes. A pick-up truck has its function, but man I really miss my Bernina! I hope you find something you love.
I have had my Juki TL 2000qi for 5 weeks now and I’m still having problems with the tension and sewing a straight stitch. The stitches come out crooked no matter how I adjust the tension it still does not sew a straight line. It sews a bit and then the stitches move over a bit and than back, also the stitch is somewhat slanted. What am I doing wrong? This is been going on ever sense I took it out of the box. I have adjusted the tension, adjusted the bobbin tension, rethreading it, oiling it, changing the needle, cleaning it, rethreading it and it still has this problem. I’m at my wits ends, I can’t find any info about this kind of issue anywhere on the internet. Can anyone help?
I am in that boat right now! My Juki TL2000qi has started doing some of the same things yours did. I’m a quilter and I need to quilt nicely because I make them for others. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to rip out all the stitches of a quilt and then quilt it on my thousand year old Kenmore. My question is where did you find an authorized service center for your juki? I live in So. CA and I am having a difficult time finding someone. Yes I did already take it to my local Sew and Vac just last week and no improvement. (Wish I had seen your post first)