With all the talk about this machine in the past week or so I started looking around online and found an almost new one on Ebay, which I "won" last night.

I'm very excited to get it as I have NEVER owned anything other than a basic model (I currently own a Janome New Home, which I love and has done me very well over the last 7 years).

I'm really nervous about owning a computerized machine. I remember my Home Economics teacher always drilling through our heads "never own something that has a lot of gadgets....always get the basics...". Funny how these things stick with you for life (I'm 46 years old).

Anyways, it comes with an instruction book and I'm wondering if there is anything I should do to prepare for using this other than reading an owner's manual. Can anyone point me in a good direction, give me tips if you own one on things you have learned over the time you have had it, etc?

Thanks for your help!

Suzanne

I don't own that particular machine but wanted to chime in. When I purchased my most recent computerized machine with 400+ stitches, what I did was cut doubled pieces of muslin into 8.5"x11" pieces, loaded the machine with dark-colored thread, and stitched out each and every stitch pattern. (I know they are all printed in your manual, but I like to see them actually stitched on fabric.) Then I took a Sharpie marker and wrote the stitch number above each row of stitching, put each muslin piece into a clear page protector, and put them all into a binder. That way it's a quick reference for me as to what stitches I have available.

Other than that, I would say just read the manual... very carefully. Sometimes we miss a little item here and there and it causes us grief (smile).

Good luck with your new machine.

Congrats on your new addition! I hope you have a long and happy relationship.

can you find any demonstrations or tutorials online?

My only suggestion is just play with it learning all about it as you go. I have the 6500 and I made a "cheat sheet" so to speak of the actual stiches and have that hanging on my wall in front of my machine. That way I can just look up there to when I need a fancy stitch! Keep a can of air near by to blown out the lint and dust. and always keep the manual at arms length... just in case! I have had to pull that out a couple of times! The best advice would be to be sure to use a surge protector as you would with any computer! I could handle losing my computer to a power surge but NOT my machine! that would be absolutely tragic!

Congratulations! I have no doubt you'll love your new machine. There's a yahoo group for owners of your machine, that would be a good place to go for advice or answers to any questions you might have.

I've tried to put a link in this message but I get a message content error. If you google "yahoo groups janome 6600P" a link will come up to the group. Have fun with your new toy!

congrats!

I have the 6600...takes a little getting used to but I love it...just play...the little display window will tell you which foot you need, and ideal tension....keep to those and you won't go wrong. Read the instruction book atleast twice.
I messed with the tension on mine...not advisable...! Has taken me a while to get back but is back to fab now.

I love my Janome 6600P!!! Read the manual and refer to it with any questions. It's an easy machine to learn. Have fun!

I love it...bought the new FM quilting foot but have not used it yet and quilting bobbin case...(different tension) haven't tried it yet either......I have 1/4 quilting foot with the side guide...the stitch in the ditch foot too and the throat plate for quilting...with the little hole for the needle...they are all great...you will love it...
This is one thing I do that I wish I wouldn't...I tend to push the cut thread button before the green light goes on and that is not good...my machine does not like it when I rush...

You will love the walking foot for quilting!

I love mine - best advice I received was "to read the manual, end to end" and always refer when in doubt.
I keep it right next to my machine and it sure does help.
You will have a snap on chart of all the stitches that really helps a lot (although I haven't used all of them - just a few favorites).
You will enjoy! Carol

Love my 6600.

The cheat sheet is a great tool.

I read through the manual, did everything step by step, and you will love it.

Do a SEARCH at the top of the page for 6600 P. There are lots of us here who have them. Lots of good advice.

Love mine, too. I do refer to the manual a lot.

It really is a fairly easy machine but if you are worried, try to find a Janome dealer close to you. You can usually take classes or ask questions. Just because you didn't buy from them doesn't mean you won't use them for service or buying parts, so they should be very helpful. Just don't go on a busy day.

jealous!!

... good for you because I am saving my pennies for this one. And yes, go to youtube where there are many videos on this machine. I am going to get this model because of the AccuFeed foot. Plus the extra room between the needle and the base for my own machine quilting.

I have the MC6600 and love it. The manual is something to be desired but the janome group is wonderful. They will answer anything.Also, the Janome website has a lot of good information as well. Enjoy! Clean out the bobbin area frequently, and the area around the thread cutter. Don't be afraid to play with it.
MA

I just purchased the same machine on line (have not got it yet, should be here this week) and I joined the yahoo user group and found it to be very useful. I think that group will be so helpful if i have questions

You will love the 6600. The yahoo group helped me get started. 1st thing I did was to copy the manual (there was one online, also) I put this copy in a 3 ring binder. I went over every page and wrote notes on it. I also stitched every stitch on a fabric book and noted the stitch on the fabric. I now keep a spiral notebook nearby also and have pages with titles to separate my notes. Seems the needle can be moved left or right and does get adjusted alot depending on the foot used. The machine has a default setting for the needle, but I soon learned I enjoyed other settings.
My 1st issue was with the thread. There is a distinct feel to the thread when it is properly thread in the upper hook (don't know the real name). Lint has to be cleaned out often. Dealer told me 6600 will use any thread. I do fine certain threads do free motion quilting better than others on this machine.
The yahoo group is wonderful. Try it. Enjoy your new 6600.

Let the sewing stop, pause a second prior to using button for thread cutter. Many folks hit button too quickly causing issues.

Susan I have a basic Janome too but have talked to the dealer
about the computerized ones. He husband repairs and cleans
all machines. I ask her about the problems (if any) with the
computer part of a machine and she says they have never had
any report of any problems with one. I'm looking and thinking
about one. Because my husband does real computers it scares
me to have my sewing machine computerized. I know what
happens with the real ones. Oh MY !!

I do that too. Then I have to wait on the machine to catch up with me.

It does tend to collect dust quickly so be prepared to clean often. I take the plate off very often as it gets so linty.

I also have the 6600 and before I bought it I joined the Janone 6500, 6600 and 7700 Yahoo message board. It is a life saver and will answer any question you could possibly come up with. Also loads of tips and neat things you can do with the machine--
Good luck and enjoy your machine. Oh yes, do keep a notebook with samples attached and all your notes. I use mine more than my book that came with the Janome---If you have any questions feel free to email me, :)

Tho I don't have the same machine. I went "computerized" a few years ago with a Babylock. I had not sewn in many years. But thru alot of trial and error, as well as a stick with it attitude. I can say it is now a breeze. I do have my dealer close which was a huge help. I had to take my machine in for a few problems (nothing major) that was operator error.

Hmmm. Wonder what she thinks of our smart phones???

I too have the 6600 and love it. However no one mentioned this...even using the 1/4 foot for piecing, I couldn't get an accurate 1/4 in seam. The teacher in a class I was taking said I needed to change the needle position from 3.5 (which is it's default setting) to 4.5. After I did that, I got accurate 1/4 in seams. She also had the 6600 and discovered this. Thought I would pass it along.

Ditto. Read the manual several times. I used a piece of heavy muslin and colored thread. Copied every stitch on the snap on for reference. Really helpful to get the true picture of the stitch. Then sit back and enjoy. You'll love it and it will love you too.

I also have a 6600 (4 years and counting) and it is a real work horse! Have never regretted the purchase. Lots of good ideas in previous posts. I also assumed that the "default" needle position was 1/4". Check your individual machine for an accurate 1/4". I primarily quilt so I changed my default, and on my machine that is 5.8. (Check your manual on how to do this). Think it depends on how firmly you push your fabric into the metal flange. You will love this machine...congratulations!

I am a new owner of the Janome Horizon and just love it. I joined the Janome Yahoo groups online. You will find a wealth of information that is specific to your machine. There are files that cover all aspects of it. Questions are welcome. Go ahead and join and you will be an expert by the time it arrives!

Congrats....You will absolutely love this machine!!! I will never part with mine, over 4 years old now and never a problem. All the advice is great, one other is going to the Janome website, they have a forum also that is helpful. Relax, read the manual and get familiar with stitch length and width buttons, needle up/down button, and reading the screen. It really is easy once you know the buttons and screen. Take it slow and love it!!!!

Hey I'm 46 and have a 6600 too! :-D

I love it, wouldn't change it for the world. :-D In fact it's due for servicing at the moment but I can't bear to be without it for the few days the man will keep it (and I have two other machines so that's not the issue) I MUST ring the service man. :lol:

There's a group on Yahoo just for owners of the Janome 6500 and 6600.

I bought this machine last March and I'm very happy with it.......it's a user friendly machine and the only issue I have with it is it really likes good thread and new needles...........when I started using a new needle with every new project and bought good quality thread it worked fine. I used the Accufeed on some decorative stitches when quilting and it worked pretty well as long as the stitch didn't have a lot of backward and forward pattern...........I was able to do some nice decorative stitch in the ditch patterns with it.........................the book says you should only use 3 or 4 different of the decorative stitches because of the accufeed..........................One other thing the manual doesn't tell you is you should remove the needle plate and put a small drop of sewing machine oil on the wick.......I had the dealer show me how to do it.....................

I have had my Janome for a couple of years now. I found it very easy to work. I even FMQ my runners and small baby quilts on it.

Is this accufeed thing supposed to stay on all the time, or, can it be removed?

Love my 6600 maschine. I was so uptight when I first got it I tried to make it too hard! Relax and keep you book handy, and have fun!

The accufeed thingy is permanently attached to the machine however it is only in use when you attach an accufeed foot and pull the thingy down and under the foot to engage them as one.

I love the accufeed's ability to make stitch in the ditch so easy.

My dealer retired. How often do you oil the wick?

I have a 6600 and love it. There's a group on Yahoo for 6500/6600 owners and it's been a big help when I've had problems. The manual is a start but it's not very detailed. BTW all my problems turned out to be user error.