Janome Memory Craft 6500 Professional (MC6500P)

My rating reflects the bobbin case issue this machine has. The case will swivel counterclockwise unexpectedly, then the needle jams into the plastic case. Another issue is how the thread jumps off the thread guide on the take up lever. When this machine works, I love certain features, however, it is going back, once again, to the Janome Repair shop. I am thinking of selling it and switching brands completely.

I have owned the memory craft 6500 since January of 2006 and I am very disapointed. I have had problems with thread breakage since day one. I have had it repaired more times than I can remember and the results are the same no matter what thread, needle or fabric I use. Give you an example, I made an apron this afternoon. Two hours of sewing and I had to re thread the machine 28 times. I made my daughters prom dress and sewed the zipper in by hand because I couldn’t sew 12 inches without re-threading the machine so many times the fabric became shreded.

Alright, here are some things I feel needs to be improved. There is no bobbin indicator to tell you you’re running out of bobbin thread, the lighting is weak, no start/stop button and the manual it came with is not extensive.

However, I’m very impressed and happy with this machine. Its got too many features to list, but here are some of the things I like: automatic thread cutter, needle up/down, memory lockstitch/cutter, extension table for quilting, knee lift, and many presser feet.

I like this machine very much. I’ve had for over a year and have not run into any problems whatsoever. Free motion quilting is a cinch and I love the decorative stitches it came with. I sold my Brother machine to get this one and it’s sooo worth it!!