Oh Crap! I'm an idiot - I hope I didn't just kill my machine
 

Oh Crap! I'm an idiot - I hope I didn't just kill my machine!
I have a Janome 6600 and I was sewing away. Bobbin ran out so I decided I would clean any lint out.
Bad mistake - I droped the plate cover screw inside the machine! Uggh! What an idiot.
I knew things were going too well. I can't see the screw but I definitely hear it in there. I have not run the machine since this happened nor will I until I get that darned screw out.

My Janome dealer is 1 hour 15 minutes (60 miles each way) away! Anyone know what to do in a situation like this?
Is this something I can get to myself?

I am also upset because I took the Janome extension table off and it has created scratches on the front of the machine base. I usually have it in the sewing table but I right now I have been sewing in the kitchen and decided to use the extension table. Not a good night.

Mine has a screw down in there for two years.

Really? And everything is okay? I am scared to death to turn the machine on.

I have a Janome also, Carefully unscrew the bottom plate and you should find the screw. Unplug first and don't loose you screws. LOL I have done this.

When you say bottom plate what exactly do you mean? Underneath the machine? Sorry to be so ignorant however I am still pretty new with this machine. Thanks

Good luck with your machine.

put white sheet on top of bed, take machine to bedroom, open up bobbin area and plate under the needle... turn machine upside down and tip TOWARD the needle end at ALL times....do NOT tip the other direction at all, while carrying or moving... you don't want the screw to get further into the machine... then just shake gently till the screw finds its way to the open bobbin area... the white sheet will not let the screw get lost if you stay in the center of the bed.... I have had to do this twice (2 different machines) and was told to do this by a repairman...and it worked both times...

That's why I love machines with pop-out stitch plates. Sorry this happened to you. I think a telescoping magnet near the bobbin area will be safe.

DO NOT use a magnetic anything near your machine, as it is computerized. I had that happen, used it for about 3 months and thought " take her in for a checkup to be safe". Repairman said" where it landed, it could have stayed there forever, but if it had landed over the other way or rolled over there, it would have been a differnt situation" Motto to this story " I will not take any more chances...the machines are way to expensive to replace"
Good Luck and let us know how you make out.