I am so excited!!!!!!! I had the baby sister; EX660. My lack of knowledge led to her being put in the closet for a backup. She had no quilting accessories and not many embroidery selections but she purred like a kitten. She just wasn't made for quilting. I was so happy I got the SQ9000 because we got allllllll the quilting accessories. Use that walking foot!! It is the best thing since sliced bread.
I am doing a Cathedral Windows now so I have my 1/4" foot on to help keep me honest. A tip/trick on it: When I power my machine off I take the 1/4" presser foot off and lay it away from the needle, then put the needle in the down position. When we power the machine on our needle goes to the left position. The 1/4" foot only has a center hole. I snapped two needles, boom - boom, because I wasn't concentrating. Turned the machine on, started to sew without resetting the needle to the center position. Makes me mad at myself. So I now set the needle to the center position when I power the machine on and then put the 1/4" foot back on.
I am so happy, happy your back in business. The children's water color sets have brushes that work good in the tiny areas. I use clean make-up brushes in the places that are easy to get to.
Now, for anyone who wants to know: this machine and the EX660 is very easy to take apart to get to the inside.
If you ever do, don't pull one side very far away from the other side because the wiring harness runs from one side to the other.
Just unplug it. Take out every screw you can find. If it won't come apart easily you haven't taken all the screws out yet.
My husband did my EX660 the first time it froze up. Now we know it wasn't necessary because the needle holder shaft just needed oil on the inside of it. But we got to take a look-see. Lots of little tiny, fragile looking parts and pieces in there. Just be very gently if you ever need to take it apart. I am sure it will void your warranty if you do take it apart.
Have a great day.