Hi..I am a Janome lover and am hoping to get a new machine in the not too distant future and am trying to do some research first. Firstly, I would LOVE the new Janome Horizon but don't know if my budget will stretch that far so I am looking at the 6500 and 6600 at this stage.

I have been to a couple of dealers locally and have been told a couple of things that I would like your thoughts on.

1. The 6500 - I was told that people prefer the 6600 over the 6500 because the 6500 doesn't have the 2 little extra feed dogs in front and when you are trying to stitch right near the edge, like with a triangle point, it will pull the fabric down into the bobbin area. Whereas the 6600 will feed it through quite easily.

2. The 6600 - at another dealer I was told that the quilting ladies there prefer the 6500 over the 6600 because the built in walking foot at the back of the 6600 gets in the way. They said that when stitching bulky items that scrunch up, like quilts, the quilt tends to catch on the walking foot because it's fitted too low.

Just wondering what your thoughts were on those respective machines with those comments...or anything else you feel to mention.

Also, do many of you miss not having a free-arm? That's something else I'm not sure about.

Thanks everyone :)

A friend just got the Horizon for $3,000. She absolutely loves it!

I have a Janome Memory Craft 9000 that I will never get rid of. Like you, I am a die hard Janome lover.

Sorry that I can't help you with the models you're looking to get info on, but hope that my friend's love for her new Horizon is helpful. Good luck! :)

I have the 6600, and I LOVE the built in walking foot. Not in the way at all for me, and so very useful.

Thanks...oh...it wouldn't take much to convince me to buy a Horizon...I'd have one today if I had the money...lol. Beautiful looking machine..and good reviews too

Thanks Debra...so you don't find that large quilts catch on it?

I have a 6600, but never even sewn on the 6500 so was hoping to read more comments, out of curiosity.
I love mine, but it is the nicest machine I've ever had. I'm not sure if I'm knowledgeable enough to help.
My dream would be to have a Bernina or Baby Lock, but that ain't gonna happen! :shock:
I just have this idea watching ppl use them on tv, that they are the rolls royce of sewing machines!...and I could be wrong.
what a concept :mrgreen:

Can't help you with the 6500 but I've had the 6600 for over a year and like
it a lot. Haven't had the problem you mentioned. Maybe that store just want
to get rid of their older model. Just a thought. :D
Did they let you test drive? Maybe you could bring some small quilt
sandwiches and try.

Hasn't been a problem for me, though I haven't free motioned a "big" quilt with the FMQ foot yet. I have used the walking foot to do gentle waves on a big quilt and loved it. No puckers, and it seemed to help pull the quilt through the machine for me.

I have problems with my shoulders, so most of my big quilts these days are quilted in sections and then assembled.

Haven't done any quilting on the 6600 yet, but used a sandwich for practice FMQ and the walking foot. Didn't have a problem at all. I really love my machine, it is very user friendly. I did purchase the face plate for just the straight stitching though. It only has a small circular hole for the needle and I use it when I piece.

I can attest to the even feeding of the pieces. I went from a machine that I had for atleast 15 yrs and it wasn't purchased for quilting. This machine has made a TREMENDOUS difference in my abilities.

I have the 6500 and been sewing on it for nearly 6 yrs straight. I was told the 6600 was more desirable because of the walking foot build in. I have had issues with it sucking down but I have with all machines including none Janome. I bought a straight stitch plate and make sure to always use the right needles for the project. I have done a lot of piecing and quilting on the 6500 of very large quilts. I like the needle down position option, build in thread clipper, knee lifter and larger sewing bed. I also do not have tension problems which I did with Pfaff and some other machines. The stitches are very consistent.