I’ve been working with the Janome Continental M7 for the past few months and have discovered a feature that I know I’ll be using a lot: the manual dual feed setting! I know, it’s a mouthful, but what it does is actually quite simple. By activating the manual dual feed setting, you can now use the dual feed system with decorative stitches. To appreciate why this is so amazing and helpful, let me give you some background.

The Janome M7 and many other Janome models have AcuFeed Flex feet that work with the dual feed system to ensure that the top and bottom fabrics move along consistently. This prevents the top fabric from getting pushed out further than the bottom fabric. It’s also very helpful when stitching with slippery fabrics, such as silk or materials like vinyl or leather. This is similar to ( but not as effective as) what a walking foot or even feed foot does.

The Janome M7 has two feet that will work with this system: the AD foot and the HP2 foot. For more information on these feet, refer to this previous blog post.

The AD foot and the HP2 foot that work with the AcuFeed Flex System

When you activate the dual feed system by pressing the AcuFeed Flex key on the Janome M7, you will only be able to stitch straight stitches. The decorative stitches are greyed out as they are not available.

With the AcuFeed Flex System activated, only straight stitches are available

Fortunately, with the manual dual feed setting, you can now use the dual feed system with decorative stitches. This gives you fantastic results with any of the hundreds of stitches that are available on the Janome M7. It opens up a whole new world of possibility for embellishments on garments, home dec items, bags and more.

Let me explain how easy it is to activate the manual dual feed setting. You will need to go to the Function menu – it’s the circle one with the three lines on it on the right side of the display screen.

The Function menu is on the right side of the display screen

Once you’re in this menu, you’ll see the manual dual feed setting feature. Press the “ON” key and it will be activated. You’ll hear the Janome M7 make a noise so you can be certain that the manual dual feed setting is now working.

The manual dual feed setting is on and active

Once you exit this menu, you’ll notice that the decorative stitches are now available. You can now stitch any of them using the AD AcuFeed Flex foot (the HP2 foot works with the AcuFeed Flex System, but only for straight stitches due to the size and shape of the foot).

Decorative stitches can now be sewn with the dual feed system

Once you’re done stitching with the manual dual feed setting, you can turn it off by going back into the Function menu and pressing the “OFF” key.

The manual dual feed setting is now off

As a quilter, I have lots of ideas on how I can use the manual dual feed setting with decorative stitches on the Janome M7. It’s perfect for adding these stitches to quilt as you go projects or crazy quilt blocks. You could also stitch in the ditch – or near the ditch – using a decorative stitch.

Quilt as you go blocks using decorative and utility stitches

It’s also perfect for adding decorative topstitching details to items such as bowl cozies (refer to this blog post for details on how to make one of these super quick and practical items).

Microwave bowl by Anne Stitcher

I’ve included detailed information on using the manual dual feed setting in this video.

Whether you’re a sewist, a quilter or a fibre artist, I’m sure you’ll find lots of uses for the manual dual feed setting on the Janome Continental M7.

Happy creating from Kim Jamieson-Hirst of Chatterbox Quilts, a Janome Canada Artisan in Calgary, Alberta.

I have to say this: THIS is probably the clearest and most well explained information I have seen on the Manual Dual Feed setting on the Janome Continental M7. THANK YOU, KIM! Ed.