yes they look like my pins

I used silk pins... they were not bent when he gave them back to me

I do pull the pins out as I am sewing so the needle does not run over them - but I know there have been some times I ended up running over few

I honestly don't know if I have a single needle plate or a zig zag plate - I will have to check on that

I do know that I used a lot pins connecting the arcs to the melons and as I pull them out they sit on the bed of my machine until I stop sewing to put the pins in a pin cushion. I could end up with 40 to 50 pins before i stop

I would just like to keep it from happening again - the repair guy is close to an hour away :(

Glad it didn't do any damage to your machine. I bet you figured the mystery out yourself by remembering having them sit on the bed of the machine. Those wily pins managed to roll down into the machine. The silk pins must just be small enough to find a way. Good reminder for all of us.

Sorry this happened to you. I have a Janome 6600 and love it. Never had this problem. I do pin a lot but always try and pull pins out before I sew over them. The only problem I had one time was the bobbin holder was messed up and had to have it service. I have 3 granddaughters living with me and think some little hands were helping me out!!!!

well the shop said there is only way in would have been the needle plate. Who knows, maybe I accidentally knocked them in when I was cleaning out the bobbin

now I know i have to be careful.. it would be very sad to break my machine

thanks everyone

Maybe you need some extra light on your machine. I added two
on my 6600. I put the little bendable light over the needle area
and the string of lights in the harp. Now it got all the light it
needs. :):thumbup:

Sounds like you found the answer.

While those pins are nice to work with, they are tiny and can disappear pretty quickly.
If using them for machine stitching, I sure would not be leaving them on the machine bed ... loose!
They are pretty easy to knock off .... the machine bed is not that large.

A pin cushion .... or a box to drop them into.
I use a large magnet in a tin box .... no problems!

that's a good idea - one of those magnetic pin holders! I even have one of those :) thanks

I do have one of the bendable lights for by my needle - - - never thought about in the harp area. I will have to look at those options

I have the same machine, but never had that problem. Thats strange. I have a different problem. Every time I use the automatic thread cutter, my needle comes unthreaded! Drives me insane. Do you have that problem? I wonder if its a tension problem?

It's cutting your thread too short.
I had the same problem with the 6600.
Your technician can adjust the length the thread cuts, and solve your problem.