I've been looking at video's of the Janome 6500 and 6600. The biggest difference I see is that walking foot and extra teeth on the presser foot on the 6600. To anyone who knows.........is it worth the extra money for the 6600. I have never spent that kind of money on anything with the exception of a car. We have never spent that on a major appliance.

I would love to go into a dealer and sit and test drive the machines but I would be terribly afraid of being pressured. I did happen to see a short video on the 6500 that demonstrated a cord or some attachment that said put the machine on cruise control. It only showed the needle going up and down, it didn't show a sample of a quilt sandwich.

Whenever I've looked up information on the machines I don't see where it comes with an instuctional cd and for the money they are asking I would hope they would. I am a bit of a recluse mostly because so many of the people I run into in my area can be such snobs and when I did take a couple of quilting classes it just wasn't a pleasant experience. I'm not sure that i would want to take a class in operating the machine. From what I've heard it's not a machine you want to cart around.

I am not a seasoned quilter nor am I a good seamstress but I know I would like to get better at it and I'm hoping with a very good machine I will. Having said that I'm afraid that I may not be able to follow the instruction manuals as well as someone with more sewing experiece.

From the feedback I've gotten and the research I've done I am sold on the Janome machine I'm just not sure which one. Thank you ladies. God bless.

The walking foot is most helpful. I'm glad I have it.

since you are looking at the Janome also look at the Horizon It has larger throat area and is great for machine quilting. Mine came with a CD as well.

I don't know where you are in California but near LA, the International Quilt Festival will be in Long Beach in July
All the machine dealers will be there and you can try them.

I'm up noth in San Jose. Thank you for the Horizon suggestion, something else to dream about, yes it would be great to have a large throat area.

I just bought the 6600 and love it!! Love the fact that I can use cruise control :)) It has a 9 inch throat . When you go to your dealer...ask to use one. I must have stayed an hour trying the machine out and the dealer would show me different stitches and any questions I had were answered. Write your questions down...for if your like me you forget when you get to the store.
sass

someone mentioned the 6600- she went to try it out and they had her make a little purse so that she could use some of the decorative stitches. She sounded really impressed... good luck on your decision. I have never had any hard sells in any sewing machine dealers...

Since you're in San Jose go to Rays sewing center on Meridian. I have gotten all my Janome's there and they are a no pressure store. They also have floor models that are cheaper and trade-ins. Also they have a great trade in program.

I have a Janome, and I love it. I've had it about 10 years, and have had no trouble with it. It's a 4800 (no longer made). I have heard very good things about the Horizon. Holice had a very good suggestion. If you go to a festival and try out all the machines, you will get a good idea of what you will like. Also, they usually have special prices at the shows. Good luck.
Sue

I had been drooling over the 6600 for quite some time and finally had an opportunity to by an "experienced" machine for a really good price after the 7700 came out. of course once I saw the 7700 I wanted that ... but settled for the 6600.

Yes, the integrated walking foot ("accufeed") is well worth the $$. I love it for strip piecing. FYI - I set my stitch length to 5.9 for regular cotton fabrics and 5.7 for batiks for my "scant" 1/4" seam and I use the accufeed foot with the 1/4" guide.