I recently did some searching on Janome's website and found three items that weren't included in my Janome 6500 machine's initial package.

One is a gathering foot that works like a charm! Not the big old noisy rufflers that look like a huge walking foot, this is a tiny metal foot that snaps on the shaft adaptor. It works perfectly! The gathering is adjusted by changing your stitch length.

Second is an applique foot. It is a very small plastic foot that snaps on too. It works well too, because there is very little of the applique under the foot so you can turn sharper corners and control the appliqueing better.

Third is the free motion bobbin case for " free quilting and hand look quilt stitch". It fits Janome 11000, 6600 and 6500. But I believe it is included in the 6600 initial purchase?

I could NOT believe the difference in my free motion quilting when I popped in the new bobbin case.

My "local" LQS (200 kms away) ordered them for me and I had them in a few days. All three are worth adding to your stocking stuffer list! Feet were 12.95 each and the bobbin case was 29.95.

WOW those are awesome additions to your machine!!! :D :D :D

I forgot to mention that I have used the free motion bobbin case for regular sewing and it works fine, so you don't have to keep changing the cases for short spurts of work.

I have a Janome. Thanks for the info.

Thanks for the tips! I have a Janome and will be checking into getting a bobbin case for fmq. I think it would be sweet of Santa to leave it in my stocking. ;-)

I have a Janome 6500 also. I'm very interested in the applique and fmq feet.

Thanks for the info. I will contact my nearest Janome outlet.

i got the FMQ bobbin last week. popped it in yesterday..going to stipple a baby quilt today..i am so hoping this is going to be a great purchase!
did you change any of your upper settings?
I have the 6600..And i love her!

well, Mamagus, i just spent too much time for my own good looking at all the accessories for my machines at the Janome site. my list of desired bell & whistle accessories is now a whole lot longer. :roll:

naturally, the next search - for places to buy them - caused me to stumble across even more goodies to add to the list.

i don't know whether to hug you or something less grateful. :lol: :lol: :lol: :XD:

oh well ... since the search also led to a better understanding of how that gathering foot works, i guess you'll get the hug. i've had one for years. it came with useless "instructions" so has gathered nothing but dust. i can finally put the stupid thing to use. :P

yeah ... i'd say that's definitely worth a hug ... or two ... or three. ;-)

yes, it is a special bobbin case..has a blue arrow on it, instead of the red, that is on your bobbin case now..it is supposed to make it so you don't have to make any adjustmants on the bobbin case when you are FMQ'ing..it is already set for you..I hate messing with the tensions..i just end up more confused when i do! lol! I will let you know how it goes today, when i do a trial run with it..

I can use the fmq bobbin case for regular sewing, but if I was starting a big project of piecing I'd pop it out and use the regular one.

You may need to fiddle a little with the tension before you start with the fmq bobbin case but once you have it make a note of it and you'll know what settings to use.

Also I don't know if I mentioned it or not but I have been freemotion stippling with my feed dogs up (happy accident) and the results are more even and less jumpy if you get what I mean. I still use the freemotion foot with the spring on it, but the results are more pleasing to my eye!

Patrice, the three things I bought were well worth the money! Please let us know if you find other items worth the expense for these beautiful machines!! What is top on your listÉ