This is a GREAT machine! I also purchased mine on e-bay. I have LOVED it! There are no dealers near me, so when I traveled, I went to a Janome dealer and the saleslady was so helpful! She demonstrated various feet and accessories that I was interested in. I asked if there was a CD to show how to use it (I need to see the pictures!), but there is not. On my own, I googled "Janome", and up came the wonderful website that answered all my questions, complete with video tutorials! Just go to Janome, then look up "6600", then scroll down the accessory list. There is a "standard accessory" list, which shows all the items that came with your machine. You can click on the button for "video", and watch the tut on how to use it. Also, there is an additional accessory list and it works the same! I have ordered several additional feet for neat applications, such as the accufeed ruffler, and the foot for attaching ribbons or elastic after I saw those tuts. I hope this helps! Have fun with your new machine! Debbie

Janome has a lot of video tutorials online on using the different presser feet, etc. This should be a very good machine. It will be fun to use especially after you get used to the different features.

there is also an app in the app store called 'the foot book' Its 6.99 and shows all the feet for the 6600 and each foot has a short video that shows how to use it. If you have an Ipad, its definitely worth it.

I've had mine for just a little over a year, & I love it ! it really IS a workhorse ! I've sewed cottons to outdoor wp canvas on it and no problems -
There is a flip stitch guide handy at the top of the machine. READ your manual well ! (I made a copy to make notes in, have it in a binder) Try out stitches and make a stitch sample "book". The Janome website has good info, you can download the manual, see accessories and video too.
Lots of 6600 owners here, great tips. There are a bunch of YouTube videos also. Go play and enjoy ! :)

Fantastic Idea, thanks for sharing. Probably going to do this tonight!!!! :P :P

This is an excellent idea just to get yourself used to using the machine at first.

You're going to find that lots of people here on the board have this machine and they love it! You can do a search for it to see other people's comments.

Have fun with your new machine!

It is permanently affixed to the machine ... you move it up & click it into place when not in use.

I have the MC6600P Janome and absolutely LOVE it!! Especially love the accufeed. That is one of the reasons I chose this machine when I upgrade from my 1966 Kenmore! Read the manual ... it has a lot of good information. Janome.com has some good videos also. When I bought mine, I was told it never needed oiled. That is incorrect information! It has a tiny wick under the bobbin case where you place a drop of oil. Don't over-do. It doesn't need much. It's a delight to sew on!

My local dealer would NOT be accommodating to anyone who did not buy from him...and he would charge accordingly. I find him greedy even when I did buy from him. I realize he does have to make a living, but i would think he would sell more if he were nicer...oh well.....

I got one about a month ago. The instructions are great. I don't have anything I can suggest. Everything was real clear in the instructions.

I love mine

My dealer is having a Janome rep coming on Monday. I have an appointment to meet with them and ask questions. I don't have any but hope they may show me things I don't know are there.

I strongly suggest you join this very active and well run group. I have both the 6500 and the 6600 and I LOVE them both.

I don't find either one fussy about threads and I use Essential Threads frequently.

I love my electronic machine, but I would keep your basic machine too, just in case one day you need it. I never have needed another, but I use one for heavy work. I have had my electronic machine about 9 years and it is still going strong.

I love mine. I agree with everyone here. Read the manual and just play. I did a test run of all the stitches so I would have samples to refer to.

One thing I do when getting a new machine, is great a machine dust cover using the machine. Make it as fancy as you want piecing, using the fancy stitches, quilt it using flannel for batting, etc. When done you have a useful dust cover and you have learned how to use the machine at the same time.

there is a good group on yahoo groups on the janome 6600 and 6500 that has a lot of information.
If you have a janome store near you, go in and test drive one there and they can show you the ins/outs of the machine. My local sewing store has an introductory class - 2 - 4 hour sessions on the machine that they let me take. I bought mine from craigslist from someone who purchased it new at this shop 2 years ago. They may ask for a fee for the class but you should check with them what is available to you.

I really like the acufeed and use it whenever possible.

Can you advise how to sign up for the Yahoo group ... there's so much out there, I want to make sure I'm signing up for the correct one. I think that would be very enjoyable!

I also forgot to ask if you could purchase a stitch regulator attachment for this machine. I think one of the main reasons I don't like to quilt myself is because my stitches are not uniform.

Good luck with your new to you machine.

I love mine. YES READ THE MANUAL SO YOU GET FAMILIAR WITH THE BOOK THEN REFER TO IT WHEN YOU HAVE a problem.
Usually I shut the machine off and restart it and things go all right. Enjoy I love mine.

Go to Janome then type in your model and you can see a lot of tutorials.

I have the 6600. Havent read the whole thread. Biggest thing I can tell you is that it is touchy to learn the auto-cutter...you need to make sure to load your next piece from the front so the "cut" bobbin thread goes back and not in because it will make nests. Second, the 3.5 setting for the quarter inch foot IS NOT a scant quarter but a full quarter....I had to re-set mine to 3.8 to get a scant quarter. I would strongly suggest a 1/4 inch walking foot as a future purchase.

GREAT IDEAL WITH THE MUSLIN AND DARK THREAD I WILL HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT WHEN AND IF I EVER BUY ANOTHER MACHINE I HAVE 11 SO FAR AND ONLY 1 COMPUTERIZED .

I own the Janome Horizon and still don't know all the tricks. The part about reading the manual is VERY important. Nothing teaches liie practice. Before this machine I had and still have a Janome-New Home 6000 and just learned it by practice. One summer I made jockey silkes for Balmoral Park in Chicago and paid for it doing that. I didn't intend to, but they liked our silks so much and the saddle towels, that the park commissioned saddle towels for a Budwiser Stakes Race. You never know where opportunity will lead you. I haven't sewn for money since though. Start making flanel baby bibs and quilt them with some of the different stitches. They make good baby gifts and perhaps you can sell enough to pay for this expensive habit of ours. Pretty soon you will know your machine and "what not to do". I still go back to the old machine for certain stitches and effects, not on the new one. You just never know. Those little sleeveless shirts for infants, used with just a diaper for the summer are also good learning practice. One of the ladies in our guild makes table runners and uses a serpentine stitch to quilt them. That covers up a multitude of sins and still looks pretty. I am going to thry that next. No matter what you decide to do, just keep doing it.

I've never had so much fun playing with gadgets as with my 6600! I bought it from my LQS and got a lesson there. Then I took a couple classes at the LQS and learned even more. It's a popular machine, so the teachers were always able to offer helpful hints for my machine. Our LQS has fabulous employees who can demonstrate every gadget and attachment and make it look so easy!

I just bought a Husqvarna computerised machine and if I didn't get free lessons, I never would have been able to use it. I am still learning and I got it in July

My friend owns the 6500 and loves it.

Hi,
I have this machine and it is very easy to use. The window on the machine tells you the settings to use for each pattern, and there is a group on yahoo that you can join which will help you with any problems it's the janome 6500/6600 group just google it. Have fun with your new machine. Sandy

Once a month if you use the machine a lot..............just purchase some "sewing machine oil" and remove the needle plate and the bobbin case. You will see the little wick.....just put a tiny little drop on the wick. I do it every other month unless I sew like a crazy lady!!! Someone said about every three projects.

At a sewing meeting tonite, someone asked what we would take if there was a fire or flood and we could only take one thing with us. I said my Janome 6600P, not my embroidery machines or fabric, not my jewellery, (I have lots) . My Janome 6600P. It is just that great. Congratulations..you will love it.

Congrats on the new toy. Just read the manual good first...
and play

i completely agree. i learn more by playing around and seeing what the machine will do. you might look for some classes to take. I have a brother...and love all the things i can do with it.

One thing I learned with the computerized machine, I have a Janome MC3500 and love it, is do not use the magnetic pin holders anywhere near the machine. Good luck with your new purchase and it's nice to see another Vermonter on the board.

No stitch regulator available for the 6600.

I find that my 6600 behaves better when I use Superior Bottom Line thread in the bobbin.

Not sure if someone already answered this question, but to tell if you need to oil the wick in the center of the bobbin case, press you finger on it and see if it comes out dry. If so, add a drop of oil.

Youtube has lots of videos for this machine...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXp3PbMLIwI

Just look on the right side for more videos