I have the 6600 and found via the Janome 6600 yahoo group a couple of things that helped me greatly. I adjusted the bobbin tension just a little, I set my top tension knob at 7, use mode 1 or 2 - don't adjust stitch length at all and put pressure foot dial at 0. I set my speed at about medium and put on my fons & porter gloves! Then I FMQ - works like a charm every time! I use just regular needles, but a new one when I start quilting. I also fill several bobbins with thread before I begin to save time later.