I'm trying to make the leap to buy a "real" sewing machine. I've sewn for many years on inexpensive Singers and now want something more. The 9" harp for more space is at the top of my wish list, needle up/down, knee lifter, and ability to make quilt labels. The Janome 6500 is the one I've been looking at and it is at the top end of what I want to spend. My problem is this - will I be disappointed that I didn't spend another $500 to get Accufeed and other features of the 6600? Will a walking foot on the 6500 give me similar results? Even the 6500 would be soooo much more than I've ever had (or felt I needed).

you will not be disappointed by the 6500. it gets rave reviews and will serve you well for many years.

a word of advice, though.

do not make the mistake of sitting down to test drive the 6600. the accufeed is a fantastic feature. in fact, i get a nearly perfect even feed without the special feet.

if you never experience the difference, you will not miss the difference.

;-)

I'm glad you asked this question, as I've been toying with the idea of getting a Janome 6500 or 6600 myself. Looking forward to seeing all the replies.

good advice ;-)

I had the 6500 for many years and loved it -- it served me very well for many years and now DD has it and loves it too. I was really bummed, however, because I bought the 6500 about 3 months before the 6600 came out and I really wanted the accufeed. I tried it out but I could not justify it so soon after buying the 6500, but started saving just the same.

Just about had enough money when the 7700 came out, DH tossed in some more money for Mother's Day and my birthday and I got the 7700. I use the accufeed for almost everything -- I love it!! I don't know how I lived without it.

You will not be disappointed with the 6500; it's a fantastic machine. I will say that many dealers are taking 6600's as trade-ins for 7700's, so you may be able to get a 6600 for the same price or less than the 6500. I wouldn't have any hesitation about buying used as long as it's from a reputable Janome dealer who offers a warranty on the machine. I did buy my 6600 through ebay and never had a bit of trouble with it but you do take a chance that way. For me, the savings (I paid $900) was worth it. In fact I still have it as I traded in my 6500 to get a 7700.

All three are great machines!

I also have a 6500 and love my machine........the decorative stitches are a really nice addition to the machine....I have had mine for over 8 years and do not find a need to upgrade. I bought a special foot that give me my 1/4". I had trouble with this until I purchased the attachment.

The Accufeed is not that great of an extra in my opinion from reviews that I have read. I have the MC65000 and it is my baby after my son:):):):)

I also have the 6500P and enjoy the extra throat space. I love the scissors button when I need to stop in the middle of the quilt.

I have trouble with my needle threader, but I bought mine used.

I miss the free arm part of the time, but the 6500P fits my older Parson cabinet so well. I don't even use the extension table because I can put it even with the cabinet.

I have been reading some negatives about these machines, so please go to a good customer service dealer.

I have the 6600 and LOVE the acufeed feature. If you think you can swing the extra money, I think it's well worth it. But maybe you can find a used 6600. I know our local dealers have been taking them in on the Horizon.

the needle threader is very easy to replace. ask your dealer if he has any extra. if not, he can order one for you. pops off easily and the new own goes on in a snap.

the little wire thingy just gets bent out of shape. if you're brave you can fiddle with it. i just fixed my own. i'm still going to order a new one, but for now i'm all set again. :-)

My mom has one and the only thing she does not like about it, there is no arm.

It is a great machine; but I think if at all possible...you should go with the accufeed. I have the 7700 and love it!

I love my 6500 and do NOT plan to up grade to the 6600 or horizon. I think you will be very happy. Our local quilt store owner has a 6500 and she likes it and doe snot plan to get the 6600 or horizon either. I actually looked at buying a used 6500 for my DD. I recently quilted a 10 ft by 10 ft quilt on it.

well, if you're only reading, how do you really know? ;-)

That bugged me at first.

I really appreciate all the comments. I even spent some time looking at the 6300 which has a lot of the same features of the 6500 and 6600 (specifically the 9" harp). I just couldn't seem to find much info on the 6300. If anyone knows anything about it, please let me know. If I had the extra money I would probably go with the 6600 but with the encouragement from many of you I'll probably get the 6500. BTW, Annaquilts - great job! Beautiful quilt!

try it first. i just got a used 6500 and cannot get it to free arm quilt for the life of me. It keeps getting caught in the feed dogs and i've heard this is a common problem.

I am waiting on mine, so all the feedback here has helped me as well. I'm curious to the special 1/4 foot the one poster got....

I have been reading all the wonderful responses and I have to ask now that you have read them, and you end up getting the 6500, will you always be wondering if you should have gotten the 6600? Just a thought. I have the 6600 and still absolutely LOVE it!!! It has made many a beautiful quilts for me from start to finish with never a problem with the machine. I LOVE the built in walking foot/accufeed. I chose not to upgrade to the new 7700 as I Love my 6600 and the other feature that I like is the totally separate bobbin winding in which the 7700 does not have it. Shame on Janome for eliminating that feature. I know the 6500 is a great machine too. So you have two good machines with different features and prices. Good luck. C.

Don't you just hate that. As soon as you have the money to buy a great machine, a few months later an even greater machine comes out. I love my BabyLock Esante but want a newer one with even cooler features - like the auto-lift feed dog.

I bought a 6500 after using a Kenmore for 25+ years. Love it love it love it!!!

I looked at all three...6500, 6600 and Horizon and chose the 6600. It sews like a dream. It does not have the free arm feature but you don't need it for quilting and I have several other machines. If you can find a good used one from a reputable dealer it would be worth it. Love the accu-feed feature on mine. Take your time to decide and get the one best suited to your needs. BTW congratulations on your new machine whenever you get it.

I bought my 6600 several years ago when I retired and got into quilting as my main hobby/activity. I have never taken the foot petal out of the box as I use the stop and start button exclusively and I too love the scissors. My needle threader is getting a work out due to my vision making threading the needle by hand more difficult with age. I love my walking foot and use it and have never had a wrinkle in the back. I love the extra room on the bed of the machine. I am not interested in getting the 7700 as I think it is to much money for a couple more inches.

Your quilt is beautiful. Can't help with the Janome models.

What do you mean by "freearm quilt"? If you mean freemotion--- you drop the feed dogs. and they have a plate with a single hole in it , that you can use. And I bought a used 6500; and really like it . I can push alot of quilt through the space.

I too was looking at the 6300, but it is brand new and there isn't much information about it. It has all the features I want for a really good price, but it doesn't have the accufeed. I am still making up my mind. It would be a backup to my Bernina so I am not in a terrible hurry to decide.

Good luck with your decision!

[quote=sewmanyideas]The Accufeed is not that great of an extra in my opinion from reviews that I have read. I have the MC65000 and it is my baby after my son:):):)

Accufeed is great, I have the 6600

Do you mean free motion quilt, you have to drop the feed dogs and use the darning foot

I see that you all like janomi. I got a machine long ago and the support I needed from the company was bad. They hung up on me and seemed disinterested. My dealer didnt care once i left the store. I found the serger they made was sold also under the Sears name, cheaper and with a few extras. The manuals were identical.. I would get a bernina's or husquhana next time but I have limited ability in this area so probably am the rare dissatisfied customer. Call the tole free number and see if they are more supportive now.

I love my Janome 6500. It can do everything I want plus more. The thing I like best is it is very user friendly. My grand daughter sews on it when she comes over. It is almost invinsible. Can't incourage you enough to purchase one.

[quote=vickig626]That's exactly what happened with my janomi. Hubby got me the latest when we were rving and a month later I saw the newer one came out with the knee lift. I had not opened the box yet but it was 5 days over a month and the dealer would not let me exchange it, gave me no support, blew me off. Needless to say they lost all my business and I spend a lot! Also I have saved
for the embroidery machine of my dreams and will not buy it from them.
The company was very unhelpful when I could not find out how to dropmthe feed dogs. They had a bad attitude toward customer support back then. Hope it is better now. But I heard from others they were not nice too. Sorry my reply is scrambled with yours. I don't know how this sometimes happens,I am on an iPad.



Don't you just hate that. As soon as you have the money to buy a great machine, a few months later an even greater machine comes out. I love my BabyLock Esante but want a newer one with even cooler features - like the
auto-lift feed dog.[/quot

What is acufeed and aculift? My iPad just interpreted aculift as a misspelling and corrected it to oculist. Funny. I may need an oculist if that has to dp with vision :D

Here is my opinion for what it is worth. I had a Janome 6500, and had very much trouble with it. So, I took it back, and they kept putting the blame on me. I insisted that it is the machine, and they replaced it with a 6600 professional sewing machine. I love it.
My suggestion is that you try them all. Then make a choice. However, the babylock is a nice one.

I agree with most of the responders-I own the 6600 and my sister owns the 6500. I'd spend the extra money for the 6600 or try to find a trade in with a reputable dealer - maybe for less. I also own the 7700 and like all Janomes it is top notch. I don't think you'll go wrong with any model, but long haul, I'd get 1 with accufeed system because you will want it the minute you use it.

Accufeed is a 'built in' walking foot and I use it for anything with multiple layers of fabric - and quilted fabrics, too. It's great.
try searching for Janome Accufeed

I can't speak for the 6500 or 6600, but I've had a 6260 Janome for several years, & I'd feel guilty getting another machine. I love my Janome.

I have a 10001 and you can't go wrong with a Janome!

I have had my 6500 for a few years and absolutely love it.

I have 3 Janomes. the 6600P IS fabulous but I love all my Janome machines. I think you will be thrilled with the 6500!!!