Sumiko Welcome!

The answers above as always ... right on the mark. I can only add ... keep those practice squares!!

After you feel comfortable with the general "feel", try different threads (each with appropriate needle), and label your scraps with thread type, needle used and tension setting. Keep those scraps as your FMQ encyclopedia!! hint: as additional practice you can write the "label" with FMQ!!

Also experiment with different thread weights in the top and bottom, and here it becomes very important to keep notes on needle and tension settings.

Now GO PLAY! :)

Oooh never thought of keeping a quilt " patch FMQ diary... I toss them in a huge bin and never keep track of what is what. eeppsie. that is a great idea Sue.. ( one I never thought of)...
Going to get a binder out for that one. I'm getting more excited :)

You know Reb, I should call the guy I bought this thing from . He is supposed to know about this and is also the one who does the service on it... I don't want to mess it up. I really want to keep her in good shape.

My Janome is a no oil too but that means only the gear parts They are self lubricating with embedded silicone. The metal parts have to have oil on any machine. The tech told me to not store the no oil machine for a very long period of time without using them, the silicone parts needs to be used.