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6600 Ways I Love Thee…
I heard tale a while back about this fabulous contest that could win one lucky bag-maker a Janome 6600 sewing machine (normally retailing for just under $2000). A few months ago, I was seriously considering getting a new sewing machine to replace my trusty, but sometimes unhappy and underpowered Pfaff Hobby 1042, and this Janome was briefly one of the candidates. I will submit an entry and see what happens. I’m sure my Pfaff would have something to say about this if he knew.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not the type to just fall for a cute purple-accented German-made sewing machine all those years ago and not stick by it through thick and thin. I’d never leave him sitting all alone to collect dust, wondering why he’s not good enough and why he’s been discarded for something sexier. No, I believe I’d tell him straight away that he can’t sew through layers of thick fabrics very well, and maybe if he’d stop breaking needles all the time he’d fall back into my good graces.
Despite my guilt about my disloyal thoughts, my eyes can’t help but wander towards bigger, better, and more feature-rich machines. While looking at the price tags, I’ve made up all sorts of reasons why I deserved a machine like the Janome 6600 or one of it’s high-priced compatriots. Here are a few:
- Because can someone really build a Craft Empire™ with a machine called a “Hobby?”
- Because I’m graduating in the Summer and ohmygosh I’ve suffered enough for, like, 3 of these things, at least. This will make me shut up about it already.
- The lady at the sewing shop told me that over 50% of women own at least 2 sewing machines. Having just one must make me an underachiever.
- With all the things it could do, it’d be like having my very own robot friend.
We all need robot friends, don’t we?
Anyway, my little Pfaff has been a great machine for 4 or 5 years, and for the <$300 price tag (as a last-year’s-model sale item so long ago), it can’t be beat, so I’m sticking with it for now. But it’s seen some hard times, and the desire to kick it to the curb (or maybe just expand my collection) is just becoming too great. Maybe between now and the time I re-convince myself that all I need in life is a new machine, I’ll be able to learn how to combat the “wow-feature creep” that Erin at Dress A Day writes about so accurately, and become a person capable of restraint. But what are the chances, really?
Posted by robyn on January 16th, 2008 under crafts, sewing, sewing machines8 Responses to “6600 Ways I Love Thee…”
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I'm Robyn. Thanks for stopping by! This is my craft blog.
Contact me at robyn [at] dognamedbanjo [dot] com.
January 16th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
I hope you win the contest!
BUT, if you don’t win, and end up starting a craft empire, you can fully write off the cost on your taxes.
And even if *that* doesn’t happen, you’ll still have the machine for decades – just pennies a day!
January 17th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
At $3,000, one decade of use is more or less $1.00 per day … pennies a day? Hm.. But hey, with TWO sewing machines we could do tandem sewing!
January 17th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Oh… Tandem Sewing! <heart melts with love!>
January 17th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Oh, poor Hobby! You know, I have the same machine and I love it! It’s much better than my mum’s Singer and I know it has it’s limitations but it’s a darling machine 🙂
January 17th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Well, great luck – you certainly deserve to win. I would love to see the tandem in action.
January 20th, 2008 at 11:23 am
You are so funny! I happened on to your blog somehow…and you have made me laugh today. I think you deserve the machine just because you are clever! Good luck!
January 6th, 2010 at 7:57 pm
Hi Robyn,
I’m about to purchase a new sewing machine. It all started when I saw the Janome 6600, but then I was recently introduced to the Bernina 430. I didn’t think I’d really use the BSR on the 440. But your “love” for the 440QE has me considering the upgrade. I guess I’ll have to find out the difference in price. Just in case, I’ve saved your website so I’ll have a better understanding of how to use the BSR. 😉 Uh oh … I’d better count on spending more $. The 440 might be the one. (You should be paid by Bernina, you know. 😉
Thanks!
Linda
January 7th, 2010 at 8:35 am
Hi Linda!
The 430 is the same machine as the 440, but with a few fewer stitches and no BSR. The jump in price is significant, so if you don’t think you’d use the BSR, go with the 430! You can always buy it later if you want it. I will say that the Bernina sews like a dream! (People also love their 6600s, though!) Good luck in your search! -Robyn