Janome 6600

I bought mine in march and use it almost every day. I like most things about it especially the fact that the presser foot lifts much higher. Don't love how the feed works without using the dual feed, however with the dual feed it works great. Hate, Hate, Hate (did I mention how I hate) the way to change dual feed feet. I always have my screwdriver in my hand when sewing so I can change feet (did I mention how much I like this). I have heard they are fixing this feature in the next model they release. I will be sewing on it later today as it is the best machine for making school bags and purses I have. It does sew very nice.

Denny

I have one. I like most things about it. There are a few I'd change.

Did you know there's a Yahoo group for 6500/6600 users? Some very knowledgeable users there. They are good at helping with things and even finding work arounds for some of the less pleasant things - like the angled knee bar.

marcella

Thanks for the feedback. I use mine nearly every day also, but it took some getting used to. I was trying to use some thread that was crosswound, and it made the machine jam. This irked me, because it seemed to me when I paid that much for a machine it should pretty much do whatever I wanted. I only use the dual feed when quilting, but I do like the thread cutter feature and the knee-operated presser foot lever. I don't mind using the screwdriver because my last machine (an Elna) used a thumb tightener and it kept vibrating itself loose, which made the 1/4" foot inaccurate. I think that's why Janome went with the screw-on presser foot.

What I could really use is guidance on the free-motion quilting stitches, but since the manager of the store where I bought it has turned out to be a truly evil person I won't find out from the "free classes" that supposedly came with the machine. And I suspect there is a whole lot the instruction manual isn't telling me. I wish I there was a detailed instruction book I could buy from Janome. Have you heard of such a thing?

Sparky

Sparky: Would love to know what you like about it and dislike. I tried one out about 2 weeks ago and I did like it but the presser foot is gigantic !!! That would take some getting used to. The fancy stitches seem to be on my Pfaff 7550 already at least for the most part. I joined the yahoo group for the 6600 for their input and most seem to like it but they did tell me their opinions which helps me a lot. Also, I think that someone mentioned that the BIG FOOT fits this machine for free motion quilting but I don't know for sure. It is a high shank machine and I wonder if the Juki 1/5" or 1/4" foot would fit? I have one of those for my Brother 1500 and it works fine. One thing that I liked about the 6600 is that it seemed FM sideways much easier than my Brother 1500.

This is one of the answers I got: I wish the throat plate cover was snap-on and snap-off instead of screwing. I would probably clean "down below" more often if it snapped.

I wish it had a wonderful manual.

The only thing I really "hate" is the bobbin-winder, and even that, I've adjusted to. Janome brags about having a separate bobbin-winding motor (as if anyone really needs to keep sewing while winding bobbins!!), but the speed is not controlable. Mine winds way to quickly (while winding invisible thread, it got so tight it broke the bobbin). I only have the one machine, so I can't wind bobbins on a separate machine as some of the gals do. So I stop and start it several times in the process.

Here's another answer I got which is helpful too: I don't like the darning foot. Janome needs to come out with a circular one. I use mine and it works just fine, but when you need a different one, you have to shop for another brand.

I don't like the guide on the 1/4 inch foot. It gets stuck going over seams and bunny ears. I should probably just buy another and rip it off though.

I would love a start/stop stitch that really worked for competetion. I know some people want a bobbin low warning, but I never needed one.

And my biggest gripe is not having a decent operators manual. Please tell me what all the stitches are and what they are used for!

Sometimes because the Accufeed foot is so bulky on the back, visability is hard and where the light it sends shadows on the side.

Things I love about the machine are the auto cutters, they put a thread cutter next to the bobbin winder..THANK YOU! I like the idea of modes to get through the menus. I love the Accufeed foot and that you can buy other feet for it. I love the space and that this machine is meant to be played with.

I like that it handles most spools of thread well. Some of the really wide bottom ones are hard, but I haven't had too much problem with it.

And..the things I don't like are livable with. I love this machine a lot. Anyway..those are the answers I got...hope they help someone. Mary

The presser foot you are referring to is the even feed foot, and it's not really necessary to use it except for quilting. I usually use the

1/4" foot. I've heard theyve come out with an even feed foot that has a 1/4" guide (good for putting on binding, although you can get around that now by changing the needle position) and also with a straight-stitch throat plate, which should help with FM.

I was dismayed to learn that you can (and should) bargain on the price of a sewing machine. I had thought the price was the price, and of course I paid more because of that idea. I also heard after I bought it that some dealers were throwing in a hard case with the price of the machine, although why only some dealers were doing that is beyond me. Seems unfair, and how is a person to know that?

I haven't had any trouble with the bobbin winder, but I could see how a person might sometimes want to regulate the speed. But I've also never known anyone who used invisible thread in the bobbin. I like the fact that I don't have to unthread the machine to wind bobbins.

One thing I'm not all that in love with is the machine has so many little embroidery stitches, which is not what a quilter is really looking for. Also, the already-inadequate manual spends a very long time talking about all the different buttonholes, and people who buy this expensive machine supposedly designed for quilters aren't really going to be paying attention to the buttonhole thing, you know?

I do like the monogramming feature, although programming it is fiddly and the explanations for storing patterns are really convoluted and make no sense. The manual tells the user to use buttons that are not identified in any diagram, which is a recipe for frustration. I really do think that for $1500 plus they could have provided an in-depth manual that detailed EVERYTHING, but apparently Janome doesn't feel that would be profitable. (I'd even pay extra for it.)

I do like the bed extension table, which is very useful when machine quilting a large quilt. Like you, I don't need to be told when my bobbin is low. I also like the feature that enables the machine to start up on the last stitch pattern used, although figuring out how to get it to do that is another headache.

OK, I'll try to help if you can define "free-motion quilting stitches" When I free-motion quilt on my 6600 I use the straight stitch. Are you wanting to use a decorative stitch or the hand stitch look stitch or something? If you can clarify what you mean, perhaps I or another 6600 user on this list can help.

No such thing as a better instruction book from Janome (or an independent publisher). Several are dreaming of one. Someone could make good money from one.

As for dealing for a machine price. All sewing machine dealers that I have bought from deal for prices. It's rather like buying a car for sticker price v. dealing with the salesman. Depending on the dealer you can negotiate different things. In the files section of the 6500 yahoo group you can see not only what people paid for their machines but what they got thrown in...me, I got 5 years service...others got the luggage.

marcella

I have a 6500. A friend who also had a 6500 was asked to take a 6600, to consumer test it. She told them she didn't like it as much as the

6500. Perhaps they have tried to put just too much onto it? I don't know any details. I'm just happy with my 6500 - no wish to change up a number!

Sorry that's not much help to you, is it? . In message , Sparky writes

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I read a price in the Yahoo group from someone in in NH that they paid $1100 for theirs. The price I got locally was $1499 which is the same price that they quoted at a local quilt show a few months ago as "special". I inquired about their Platinum Gem at the same time and was told that it was $499. but I wasn't given a price for the two for a 'deal'. Nothing else was offered either --no luggage carrier....or lots of thread as one gal I know got for ther 6500.....or hard case was mentioned. The dealers were just learning about the machine themselves so I didn't really get a lot of info... just more or less the basics I think. I have the feeling that they might upgrade the next model w/ bobbin low light !...which I love on my Pfaff and hate to buy one now if so . I did really like the FM quilting on it...I think it moved to easily to the sides as well as back and forth which I feel I kind of tug/fight a bit on my Brother 1500. But that might be me and not having the right pressure .

One thing that I think was lacking at the Yahoo groups for the 6600 was a lot of info that could be used in a manual. Maybe the info is there but it would take a lot of perusing the posts and I just do not have the time to go through the thousands there . I'd love to glean the good info there but don't know how to find it w/o reading every post. Mary

Depends on the stitch. Some of the "denser" thread ones will hang up.

One thing that is good to do is to get a piece of fabric and either heavy interfacing or just make a quilt sandwich and do a stitch sampler. Work your way through every stitch on the machine. It's a nicer reference than the book for sure.

After this, you could likely do it! I know many on the list who would buy it.

marcella