Saturday, February 23, 2008

New Toy

Aren't new toys good for what ails you? You can be so down in the dumps that you can wipe your nose on
your socks without bending over, but get a new toy and suddenly everything is fine!
This is my old toy:

And this is my new toy:

Ahhhh -- you noticed they are remarkably similar, and you're right, they're brothers. (Sisters?) The ruler is there because it looked like the 6600 had less room under the arm, in which case it might have been flying back to the store. It's one heck of an optical illusion, I tell you! I bought the 6500 at PIQF a couple of years ago, and have been very happy with it. Then a vendor at a show told me that the feed dogs on the 6600 actually have one more set of teeth, and it doesn't "eat" so much fabric, i.e. - drag it down the black hole. I have always had problems with that on my 65 but assumed it was me - but it's not!! I couldn't possibly do anything that dumb. Anyway, I started researching and bugging 6600 owners, and finally decided I need to get the 66. What a difference! Lot's more bells and whistles, to be sure, but mostly I love that it's so solid, sounds so smooth like a low purr from a kitty, and is perfectly tuned. I originally picked it because of the BIG space under the arm - I can cram a king quilt under there to quilt - but also because of the overall heavy, solid feel of it. The thing weighs 40 lbs!!! The base is all metal, oh and speaking of that!! The wonderful guy who owns the shop and gave me a little lesson also gave me a fantastic tip. He advises car wax for the deck and surrounding area so when you're quilting, the whole thing will slide like magic. Car wax!!! makes perfect sense - I'm going to try it tomorrow.

After fiddling with it most of the afternoon, here's the first block out of the gate:

It's a liddle-biddle, 6 inches, and I just might make some more. FUN!!! Well, duuhh, it's all fun, that's why we do it! Think I'll go do some more!

7 comments:

Perry said...

I was just reading your blog when you posted this! you are right, new machines are fun. This isn't an embroidery machine, right? Just a "plain" old sewing machine? That is certainly a misnomer these days, lol. I know it is the top of the line. Congratulations! And if that block is any indication of what you are going to do with it, then Katy bar the door!

Lisa Boyer said...

Machine envy. No...it's not envy, it's lust. I have machine lust. I'm coveting my neighbor's machine. Sigh....

Darlene said...

I'd been coveting, yes coveting a 6500 and kept telling myself that I didn't need it. Sigh! Still kept dreaming and wishing. LOL. And, then finally two years ago I bought the new 6600 and haven't looked back since. It's a 'dream machine' in my book. I prefer it to my Bernina, too. You already know you're going to truly enjoy your new Toy! :-)

Leslie said...

Welcome to the 66 club sistah! I'm glad after all the doubt and deliberation it turned out to be that much better! And yeah, that puppy's heavy, I hauled mine to the FPC class last week.
Whaddid Jim saw about hauling it around, is that okay?

Fabricfaire said...

Woohoo,I can just feel your excitement of getting that new machine! Bet you stayed up all night "playing" w/it! Have you put a bed in that room yet!!! LOL
The practice block looks great!

Nettie said...

Serious machine lust here, too. Congratulations and use it in good health. Love that first block, too.

Within A Quarter Inch said...

I also have the 6600 and LOVE IT - it's the best machine I have ever owned and I will be a janome user for life:) I mean, why buy more attachments for a different machine, right? Anyway - glad you aren't wiping snot on your socks anymore....

Do you know there is a great yahoo group dedicated to the 65/6600 machines???