Question about the Janome 6600

I love mine. I like the knee lift and the larger throat and presser foot height. It feed nice and stitches beautifully. Stitching sleeves is probably tough as I don't consider it to have a detachable free arm. I do love mine though and I use it a lot!

Denny in Fort Wayne

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C

Mine isn't the 6600, Carissa, so I won't comment on that question (mine is the 6500 and I love it!). However, I do suggest you keep your existing machine, for taking to classes or workshops if need be (these big Janomes are *heavy*) and also for the free arm feature. I traded my previous machine in for the 6500, without considering the need for that; and, in the end, I had to buy an inexpensive machine to give me back-up, portability and a free arm feature. . In message , Carissa writes

Another quilter/sewist madly in love with the 6600. I absolutely love all the special features- this machine truly *is* made for the quilter. It sews a lovely stitch (and has a very nice selection of built-in stitches), the extra area under the arm is wonderful, the Accu-Feed to replace the walking foot is a marvelous convenience (I use mine for all sewing except my free motion quilting)- the 1/4 in. foot is great for piecing in conjunction with the Accu-Feed). The separate motor for winding bobbins is very nice and the thread holders are great! One tip- the 1/4 in. foot for the Accu-Feed as well as the other Accu-Feed feet are quite expensive. I made my best deal and then insisted that the dealer throw in the 1/4. in. foot, the ruffler foot and the open toe foot at no additional cost to me. The machine comes with a nice selection of feet but the feet for use with the Accu-Feed are additional.

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

I've had mine for over a year now.

I do love it. I LOVE the knee lift and I find my right leg moving to lift the presser foot when sewing on other machines and nothing happens. :-) The extra harp space is so nice for machine quilting. I really like the autofeed - particularly the open toe foot for machine quilting straight lines as you can really see where you're going. No more puckers either.

It does not have a free arm. However, there are sewing tricks to do armholes and hems on a flat bed machine; after all, that's how the pros do it. I don't do a lot of garment sewing but lack of a free arm hasn't been an issue I can hem a sleeve either way.

There is a yahoo group for 6500/6600 owners. You can ask around there. Also, there is an old discussion in the archives on sewing techniques for garments on a flat bed.

It is nice to have a smaller machine to lug to classes. So, if you are a class taking girl you might want to consider keeping your old machine or saving for a smaller more portable machine for the future.

marcella

KEEP your old machine. Even if you never, ever sew another stitch on it. Having a back-up usually will prevent needing one. There might come a day when a friend or little one will want to sew with you. If you don't have room for two, toss your shoes out and use the closet space for the back-up. You don't really want to wear shoes anyway. Polly

See, that's what I said about clothes, but the average person on the street didn't agree with me. :-) Keep America beautiful! Keep Connie's clothes ON! :-)

Mine's the 6500 (last year's model?)too, but I kept my old machine - a more basic Janome with a free arm. Glad I did because I have to alter a pair of DH's trousers and they have a piece of extra tape around the inside of the leg bottoms which will need reattaching with the free arm.

I just don't move my 6500 - too heavy and too afraid of damaging it, so the old machine is proving really useful for classes, etc.

What I 'specially like about my 6500 - nice and quiet so I can hear over it; big harp so easier quilting - I bless it every time I use it; the knee lift which I forgot to attach this morning and then found my knee waving around trying to operate the 'lift'; the needle up-down facility and the fact that the needle can be put in different positions to the left or right; separate section for bobbin widing; all the stitches - I now embroider my quilt labels, and the fact that it is so solid.

Not biased really!

Well my mind is made up lol thank you to everyone :) I wish I could ask for the foot to be thrown in but.... if I tried that I am sure they would convince me I wanted to spend an extra $200 with no feet lol... I am NOT a barginer. Oh well it is on a good sale right now. My other machine is a Janome as well, a decor 5018, and I feel bad because I have so many feet for it, including the extra expensive walking foot :( They have a used 6500 in the store for super cheap and I am wondering if I really need the accu feed thing. I rarely remeber to put my walking foot on that I paid for, never mind a free one lol. I read the reviews on pattern reviews.com and did se ethe yahoo group, but I dont "know" those folks :) I figured my last opinion on the subject should be you folks that I know wouldnt steer me wrong (except maybe that shoes thing... I do live in BC Canada afater all... land of rain and snow and no sunshine lol) If all goes well, (after I argue with my credit card) I will own a new machine tomarrow

Carissa

I found the Yahoo group really useful for 'handy hints' when I first had my 6500 - lots of useful info about settings - tension etc., particularly in the Files section.

Carissa...I just saw this on the Yahoo 6600/6500 group...and notice that there are

3 feet that you might have to buy ..unless you can somehow bargain your way to get them.. As I understand it these are the feet that you have to buy extra: open toe, quilt in the ditch, 1/4 inch , if you want them...apparently not needed but nice to have. This is the quote from the yahoo group : "I was very lucky when I bought my machine. They included all three new accufeed feet plus a discounted price. I think I need to invest in the straight stitch plate from what I've read." Anyway...lots of good info in that group....I've joined it because I'm interested in buying it too !!! Still can't make up my mind after months of looking ! Mary in VT

I love my Janome 6600. It would be nice to have that free arm, but my old Kenmore has it and I decided to keep the Kenmore because it wasn't worth that much to trade it in. It was worth more to me then them.

I also purchased a small Janome which I carry with me to bees.

I didn't know you could get the 1/4" foot for the Accu-Feed. I will have to check it out. Can you also get a binding foot?

I don't know what a binding foot is??? Check out the machine on the Janome website. There's a list of all the feet that work with it.

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.