Took my sewing machine in for repair - it stopped working last night. They were able to fix it while I waited. That was where the trouble has begun - I looked at another machine - now I really seem to think that I need it - not just want it - but need it. So who has a Janome Memory Craft 6600? What do you think of it?

LOL, those new machines sure are tempting!!!! I don't have a Janome, but I'm sure there are several that do!

Oh I just love sewing machines!!!

I know what you mean. I tried out the Janome 6600 at the state fair in August and was immediately sold. Brought the brochure home, looked at it, looked at my Bernina, and knew I couldn't justify $1600 for another machine. I loved the thread cutting feature, but the truth is I can take a few seconds to cut thread the old way. My sister pointed out that it doesn't have a free arm, but of course my Bernina could always handle those kinds of tasks for me. :? Thought of all the fabric I could buy with the money, and finally just let it go. Maybe someday.......

Didn't you know when you walk into any place that sells machines or fabric you are suppose to wear horse blinders and look at the ground. If you don't and you are able to look around you do get into trouble. If you check the quilter rule book horse blinders are listed under choclate next to the sewing machine at all times. :mrgreen:

I went to the dealer to get a new bobbin casing and a tune up. Before I could stop myself the words: Why don't yoy show me what you have?" were out of my mouth. I got an excellent deal on a Pfaff closeout model.

If you need it, you need it. I so (sew) get that!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry don't know about the 6600 but my friends swear by their Janomes.

I own a Janome 6600 and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world, except a Bernina with a stitch regulator. That has nothing to do with the Janome and everything to do with my wanting that blasted stitch regulator though! :lol: I love my machine and it has been very reliable for me. It comes with a built in walking foot that is just amazing!!!!! The initial investment made me want to cry but it hasn't cost me a thing in upkeep and has never let me down in the two years I've owned it. I would definitely recommend it. :!:

Okay, I have to admit that the thread cutter is the one feature I thought I would like but I don't. I don't know too many of my friends who do like this feature. It tends to leave the bobbin thread too short, which means it ends up dropping back down and you have to go through the trouble of getting it back up where it should be.

Tiffany - thanks that is what I wanted to hear. MadQuilter - you know where I am at.

I have a 6600. I like it but, there is no pattern reset button so when you are sewing and get to a place where you want to pattern to start again the only way to do it is to go off of that stinch and back on. If you haven't made any adjustments to the stitch length or width you are ok. If so then you have a whole nuther problem. I like the thread cutter and I never have had to get the bobbin thread back to the top of the machine. When you begin to sew it just appears, however it usually does end up in a wad on the back of the fabric. That bugs me a bit.

Instead of cutting the thread, I use a small piece of fabric (folded in half to match my piecing) and run it in after I'm done piecing. I leave this in and when I'm ready to sew next, I just run my pieces through, finishing with another little fabric "tail" after I'm done. After awhile the little fabric pieces (I use muslin or scraps) look like some bizarre spider and I just throw them away. It's amazing how much thread I save & it keeps the tension just perfect, so I usually don't have a problem with the little thread bird's nests that can appear on the back when using the thread cutter. Maybe this will work for you, though it sounds like you are doing more embroidery type work than straight piecing. You are braver than I am. I haven't ventured into that part of my machine quite yet. :oops: