Our LQS has over $8 on the thread like you picked up for 11. I too think that is one little greedy someone somewhere. I too did the same thing and couldn't figure out what was costly and thought it was a mistake till I ran down the reciept....oops! That thread does look great on machine quilting:)
I too have the Janome 6600 and love mine too. I am presently making appliques on it using the blind hem stitch. You will love this machine and I still haven't had time to 'know' all there is about this machine. For I can't stop quilting enough:)I machine quilt on this too w/an open toe foot. Their book is very helpful in all the settings, etc.