I have had the Janome 6500 for six years. I had some initial problems with it (it was missing a screw that was used to raise and lower the feed dogs) and no where in the manual or at the demo lesson was I told to add a drop of oil in the wick under the bobbin case. As a result, the bobbin jumped and rattled so badly that I put my machine needle right through the case. I finally found out about the all important oiling after reading a tip on the Janome 6500/6600 forum. The machine is sewing well now, but will pull material into the needle plate sometimes. The harp is large enough to quilt a queen size quilt and it comes with a separate walking foot. This is a good machine and it will probably be available at a reasonable price as previous owners trade it in for the new Horizon. I know that is what I am considering as I would still like more space to free motion quilt. This machine does need to be in a table(my friend's dog knocked hers on the floor and smashed it) and is too heavy to lug out to classes easily.

I have the 6500 and love it. I don't quilt much with it--sometimes really small pieces is all and occasionally I use the walking foot. I love the features of it. I think you would like either one. I sew garments as well as pieceing on it.

You can't go wrong with the 6500 in my opinion. I sold mine and bought the 6600 specifically because of the built in walking foot. It was a real pain! Free motion quilting was a pain because the quilt did catch on the dual foot mechanism. Changing the dual feet was awful. So I sold the 6600 and bought another 6500 and have been extremely happy with it! This is a real work horse and I think it will go down in history similar to the Singer Featherweight! But everyone has their own opinion and I think it would be great if you could spend some time with each machine before making your selection. Good luck!

I have had the 6600P for almost three years. It came with all teh aforementioned feet of which I use the 1/4" all the time. I have occassionally used the walking foot and it has given me no problems. It also came with the table which is in use at all times. The only thing I miss is the free arm for hems and such.

Buy the best machine you can comfortably afford. Really think about the different bells and whistles and if you will really use them. My DH wanted to recently upgrade me to the Horizon, and I said thanks but no thanks my 6600 works just fine.

I also turned down the Horizon (hubs offered). Next step for me is a long arm. My 6600P does everything I need it to for now.

Hello All,
Since we are talking sewing machines I am looking at the Janome 6600 and the Bernina Aurora 440QE. Any suggestions from anyone on which machine would be the better buy? The 440QE does not come with the embroidery unit unless I buy it separately. I hadn't thought to add that to the cost. I have Pfaff I currently use and it has the dual feed so that is why I considered the Janome. The Bernina does not come with this. Any help anyone can give me would be great.
Nettie

I always wanted a Bernina, but couldn't justify the cost. I wouldn't turn one down, but I've been really happy with my Janome.

This is why we use leaders and enders. Always keep a small piece of fabric
by my machine to start sewing that way I don't ruin the nicely cut piece.
It also saves a lot of thread that way.

Mine also came with all the feet but later I found out that they were not accufeed so I had to buy these separately. The only accuffeed foot I got with my machine was the walking foot.

I have owned both the 6500 and the 6600. The 6600 wins the race. Yes, sometimes things snag the built-in walking foot lever, but that's usually when I'm pushing a queen size quilt through. If I ever had to replace this machine, it would be with another 6600, the Accufeed is simply amazing. I also have the Memorycraft 10001 and enjoy it well, but, I can't give the 6600 enjoy praise.