I believe Janome in general have more problems with birds nests on the back as several of my friends and I have had problems with that too. I got Magic Genie at the suggestion of one of those friends. It is a little ?silicone disc that fits in the bobbin area and seems to calm down the thread. It works for me with my Horizon and a friend who has the big fancy top of the line Janome. I do notice that Coats and Clark and Metrosene work best in my machine. I ordered my Magic Genie from Clotilde, now Annies.

When I bought mine I had some bobbins that were like the ones that came with my machine but weren't the Janome brand. I had problems sewing with these. My dealer said that the machine is picky that way. You have to buy their brand of bobbins. I haven't had any problems since.

I love my machine and have had it for several years and it has made umteen quilts! Jean quilts, poly, slippery throws, cotton hi loft, low loft etc.

You might check if it is threaded correctly, buy the best thread you can afford, I only use Janome bobbins and then I throw the bobbin away after about 5 times it has been filled. The bobbins are plastic and my thought is that they will stretch after alot of use. The bobbins are inexpensive and I get a whole bunch I think about 20 or so per package.

If you bought the machine from a Janome dealer take it back for adjustment or instruction. With this machine it does so many things you really need to take the class to see all it's workings.

Sorry you are haveing the problem - it has been a work horse for me and I have had 7 Janome machines and would not have another brand.

You should have a warrantee but remember the warantee is only good if you use a certified Janome repair.

I sure hope all these suggestions help and I hope you will soon be stitching happily along.

I've have had my Janome 6600 for over 5 years. I LOVE LOVE it and other than having the board replaced, under warranty, I've never had any problems. I can use any kind of thread or fabric, I can scrappy quilt or do a pieced quilt, it works equally well. If I were you, I'd go back to the dealer, maybe you got a lemon? Good Luck!

Hi Ben,
I have had my Janome 6600P for 7 1/2 years now and I love it. I got one of the first ones released, which is not always a good idea, but it worked out fine for me. Most of my minor issues were related to my "operator error". Rethreading and /or reinserting the bobbin thread corrected things immediately. (I still refer to my manual regularly.) I have been known to use all kinds of threads and generally they all work well. I need to clean my bobbin case more often with some of them. My theory is to try it.
It is a solid machine and if your wife can hang in there, I bet she will love hers too. Good luck

I know this may seem like a small deal. But carefully check the bobbin area. Especially where it is going through the part that the thread is pulled through.I found a picture to show the area I am talking about. Tiny pieces of lint can get caught in here and mess up your stitches. I found this out when my Brother PE 770 started messing up stitches. It saved me a $150.00 service call.

Also if you can check the whole threading route for any lint, I use unwaxed floss to do this.

Before taking it in, try unplugging it overnight and then plug it back in and try ut out again. I couldn't get my Bernina to work at all, so I unplugged it and it sat for two weeks until I could take it to the dealers. When he plugged it in, it ran fine. It had to be that it reset by unplugging it. So try that first! And if that doesn't help, leave some fabric with the rat's nest on the sewing machine so they can see what it is doing for you in case it doesn't do that for them. The girl at the dealers said so many times people bring in their machines and they work fine for the dealers. So have proof!

Before taking it in, try unplugging it overnight and then plug it back in and try it out again. I couldn't get my Bernina to work at all, so I unplugged it and it sat for two weeks until I could take it to the dealers. When he plugged it in, it ran fine. It had to be that it reset by unplugging it. So try that first! And if that doesn't help, leave some fabric with the rat's nest on the sewing machine so they can see what it is doing for you in case it doesn't do that for them. The girl at the dealers said so many times people bring in their machines and they work fine for the dealers. So have proof!

I have a Janome 6600 and love it. No problems,but I would also check the bobbin. Make it's one that fits the Janome.

The thing that has helped me the most besides the threading change is to have a single hole needle plate. It allows the fabric to not be pulled down into the hole. Also I always use a leader and do chain stitching when the occasion calls for it.

i got my janome 6600P amost as soon as they came out. around may/june 2005. i was told in a quilting class to go get the best/newest which was the 6500, but when i got the the dealer's the 6600 had just came out.
soooo, 8 yrss? and it is the best machine i have ever had. my machine will use any thread. we alllll have to be careful, and make sure the bobbin is threaded, and put in completely right in every aspect. as well as the top threading also.
me as well. and my thread does slip out of the silver take up lever also. pain in the sit-on-it. and if my sewing is right on the edge of the material, yes, it will knot up. just use your long tail on the thread, to help pull your material thru to begin with, to get it away from the edge.
i will make a note of those genie magic bobbins washers tho. it also helps to clean your machine often. i have a medium paint brush i keep handy to clean under the bobbin casing, etc. that is the trick with this machine for free motion quilting. CLEAN EVERY TIME BEFORE YOU START QUILTING. i even prefer my janome in a quilting frame made for another machine. i have even considered getting a new one after 8 yrs. does anyone else keep their machines this long? thx

I have a 6500. I have found that I can use any thread, as long as the top and Bobbin thread are the SAME. Also, only use Janome bobbins. The other brands seem to be just a hair off in size. Once I stopped using them, I had no problems at all. If you purchased the machine used, check your bobbin case. It may be cracked or just worn on the edges of the plastic. A very inexpensive item to replace.

I have had my 6600 going into my 7th year now. I have never had one problem with it and I use every type of thread. Yes, you do get the birds nest, but I will use leaders and enders to solve that issue. I have taught several classes and worked on a lot of gals machines during class and 9 out of 10 times it was threaded wrong. But the bunching up of thread underneath was almost always due to the bobbin being placed backwards, as some need to be clockwise and others counter clockwise. With the 6600 it MUST be in counter clock wise or shall I say, the thread has to come off into the counter clockwise motion. If not, your machine will not operate properly. It is the best machine I have, as I have two other Janomes. It is my work horse and free motion quilts beautifully. I will never part with it. Having said all that I would check the bobbin out and your threading and if you still have a problem, go back to dealer. Good luck. C.

Try again, rethread the machine, if it messes up again, CHECK THE TAKE UP LEVER TO MAKE SURE YOUR THREAD IS IN THE TAKE UP LEVER. I use a variety of threads in my machines ( I have two 6600's) one for home, other for cabin. Love this machine. I have never had a single problem with either one. They are real workhorses. I never use Coats and Clark thread.,,,only because their quality is not as good as the other brands. BTW, Your dealer is also suppose to give your wife free lessons on all the functions of her new machine. Getting back to the take up lever....this is the culprit 9 times out of ten. I go to alot of quilt classes and guild quilt ins and this happens all the time with a number of machines. Janome finally got smart and started making their take up levers with a latch on it so the thread cannot slip out once you thread the machine property. It is hard to see the take up lever on these machines, since it does not come out of the top when you turn the hand wheel like alot of machines so, so peer into the slot with a flashlight...you should be able to tell if the thread is in the lever. I hope this is your problem...and this solves it.

TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF THE THREAD COMING OUT, THREAD THE LEVER FROM, LEFT TO RIGHT RATHER THAN RIGHT TO LEFT WHEN GOING THROUGH YOUR THREADING STEPS.
Feel free to PM me if you like. I have owned Janome machines for 35 years. Diana in TX

A rat's nest on the bottom means 1) the upper tension is not right or it is not threaded correctly and/or 2) you didn't hold your threads when you started a seam. Since I have used a thread starter -- which is a very small piece of fabric in which I take the first four stitches, then sew on air for a stitch or two, then sew my real seam while still connnected to my thread starter -- I have not had one rat's nest. Not one. Before that, I had a lot of them.

When I was taking classes to be a sewing machine mechanic, my instructor said to ALWAYS unplug every machine if you are not right there using it. He says he knows of 26 house fires started by sewing machines left unattended and something fell on the foot pedal: a cat, a kid, someone moved a chair or box on it, etc. Twenty-six houses burned, some to the ground because of that.

Yes the Janomes seem to work best with the more expensive threads. Also because the 6600 sews so fast the thread may be coming out of the uptake lever. It is true that when they work well they are great machines, and your service rep should be able to make that happen for you.

i've had my 6600P for a few years. (three, i think.)
the only problem i've ever had is the thread slipping out of the uptake lever. soooo ... thanks to those who suggested the "backward" threading through the lever. (thanks also to those who referred to that part by a proper name. so much easier to type than "the little arm thingy that goes up and down. LOL)

i use generic Class 15 bobbins with no problems whatsoever.
i have not yet found a brand or type of thread it doesn't like.
- i use mostly Connecting Threads; Aurifil from time to time; and have even played around using Gutterman hand quilting thread in the top (not good for bobbin. creates tension issues.). there's a truely cheapy-cheap generic brand i use occassionally, too.
- i cannot attest to C&C because i can get several other brands for less so stopped buying it before i ever bought the 6600P.
- it's been a while since built bird nests because i put the bobbin in backward, but i promise it was more often than i will ever admit in writing. LOL

i have a lot of the optional accessories, too.
the three i use the most are the 1/4" Accufeed Foot (for attaching binding. i stick with the O2 for piecing), the Open Toe Accufeed Foot, and the blue-dot bobbin case for quilting.

Janome 6600
 

Hi Do not despair I was almost tearing my hair out with mine after taking it to Janome dealers to fix and they couldnt I rang a man who used to service my machines 30 years ago and he told me to check the tension spring. Hurray It had slipped out and that was the problem have had no trouble since I was ready to throw it to the tip only it cost me too much.It is fiddly to get to but I would say that is the problem Carmen Australia

I worked in a fabric store, and we sold Janome machines. Part of my job was to make sure all the machines ran satisfactorily. There are only a couple of reason I can think of that would make a bird's nest in the bobbin area. 1. The machine could be threaded incorrecty. 2. Something is wrong with the bobbin area. 3. Incorrect bobbin for that machine. 4. The tension needs to be adjusted. I hope this helped. Good luck.

I had a problem of that kind with my Viking, and come to find out, the needle was not inserted completely to the top. Now I hold the needle with a fingernail while I tighten the knob to secure it.

As Ben stated they are taking the machine in today. I hope they get the problem resolved. Hope he let's us know when it get's resolved.

Take it back to where you got it, and before they do anything with it - show them what it does for you. That way, they see what you are doing and can go from there. Take fabric and the thread you are currently trying to use with it.
I have a friend who was having issues with a different machine and they repair person just sat down by it and went, Oh here's the problem. She took it home and it did the same thing. So, make sure that you show them what is going on.
I have 3 Janomes and love them. One I have had for about 20 years and have had no problems with it.

I have the Janome 6600 and absolutely LOVE it. Many of my friends have it and the 6500 and love theirs, too. It is a good machine. I have owned Singer, Bernina, Pfaff and Viking and this is my favorite.

That said, even the best companies can put out a lemon. You might have one.

But, I suspect, like others have stated, that it is in the bobbin area or the threading.

Waiting to hear what happens at the shop when you take it in.

I have the 6600 also. I have had it for 3 yrs. I have never had a problem w/ my machine. That being said I've always used Gutterman, Molnlycke, & Aurifil thread. I was told when I purchased it to use better thread.

I've had my 6600 for several years. I have used Coats&Clark, as well as the threads from Connecting Threads, with no problems. I hope you can find out what is wrong. Check the tension first. Also, is the bobbin in correctly.

I have never have any trouble with mine, I have had mine for 6 yrs. mine will sew with any thread.

I have a Janome embroidery machine and have had nothing but trouble with it. Same problem, bird's nest underneath. There was always an excuse when I brought it in when it was under warranty. I asked for a new machine, but dealer refused. I searched on line and found that there are a lot of people having the same trouble with their Janome. I told my dealer what I had found out and he told me that Janome had that problem years and years ago, but it was corrected many years ago. We know that is not true. It seems people either love their Janome or hate it. When I went looking for a new sewing machine, the same dealer was very high on the 6600 and the Horizon, but there was no way I would consider a Janome, even with the great deal she was offering me on a 6600. I went with a big Brother and I am so glad I did.

I have a Janome and find like most machines they have the little quirks that can be very flustrating. Like I
have to have the thread arm in the up level when I stop the machine or next time I sew it will do the mix up
the thread over the bobbin. I like it and it sews wonderful. But all the little quirks are terrible to live with.

Flo in NNY

Thanks for all the help from the board we took the machine in to the shop last night and just as stated it wouldn't act up for them but they suggested Alot of the same as you did by using leaders and making sure that the machine was keep clean which by the way it was full of lint already under the bobbin holder. I couldn't believe how much was there for it only being a month old! They also gave us a spool of some other thread to try and I bought 20 of the janome bobbins for safe measure.

Hope things are working o.k. now. The better thread will help with the lint problem.

A good source for Aurifil is Tristan Threads. I get great deals from them on Aurifil.

Thanks, fayzer for the tip!

Ah ha!! The Janome 6600 does not like lint under its bobbin case! If it's been sewn on for a month without cleaning it out that's probably what all of your problems were. Clean under that bobbin case frequently!!!

I too have a Janome 6600. I use quality thread, but it still gets linty very often. Just finished a quilt top for a double bed and had to completely clean my machine 3 times. Lots of lint everywhere, then the thread just jams up and won't sew. My husband thought maybe there are some rough parts in the mechanisms and that is causing the thread to cause so many problems. Sounds good to me. Would never buy a Janome again. It can't hold a candle to my old Pfaff which I still have and use as my "traveling" machine.

forget coats and clark. i put up with one of their verigated colors, otherwise my 6600 hates it

I had trouble, too, with my Janome 6600. The lady at my local LQS who sells Janomes recommended that I only use Janome bobbins because they are slightly different than other plastic bobbins. The difference isn't visible to me but I tried that and haven't had any problems since. It's worth a try.
I use plenty of different threads including some older spools, cheaper threads, etc. No problems.

Another thing I did wrong at first was to insert the bobbin in backwards which probably accounted for it running great at the shop but not at home. The thread should be coming out counter-clockwise when putting the bobbin in and then pulled it to the left and upward. I'm embarassed to admit this since its such a rookie mistake but, hey, we all have to learn!

kudos to you, for being willing to admit it.
Many do it but would never "come out"! :)

As you mentioned not all plastic bobbins are the same.

It's important too to use the Janome bobbins ... for all they cost, it's makes more sense to use the "right" ones and avoid the aggravation created by the wrong ones!