Janome MC6600P sewing machine query

July 29, 2021 10:25 PM

I am trying to do some simple stitching on my inherited Janome MC6600P machine. The presser foot will not lower all the way down to the feed plates. I'm assuming, because Mum had it set up to quilt thick fabric, that this is some sort of adjustment that needs to be altered, but how?

The manual has been unhelpful, and I cannot find anyone else with this problem - I assume because it's something ridiculously simple. Yes, I know how to raise and lower the presser foot using the lever at the back of the machine. Yes, it's lowered as far down as it will go. However, there is a 2-3mm gap and I'm only sewing two layers of cotton which is not getting pressed down onto the feed dogs.

I'm a sewing novice and this machine is ridiculously complex, but this is what I've got to work with so I'm trying to make the best of it and set the machine up to just do some simple stitching. Help! I've already cried with frustration once today!

posted by ninazer0 to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (8 answers total)

Response by poster: I should also point out that the machine currently has the dual feed foot attached. I did try disengaging the dual feed mechanism and swapping to a basic "A" presser foot but this made no difference to the issue.
posted by ninazer0 at 10:39 PM on July 29, 2021

If this is the correct manual, the diagram of the presser foot adjustment is on the top of p. 25.
posted by augustimagination at 10:52 PM on July 29, 2021

Response by poster: Yes, that's the manual that I have. I have the pressure set at 3 as recommended, and the feed dogs are in the suggested up position. There is no contact between the pressure foot and the feed dogs. There is such a large gap that I can pull the fabric right through without it catching on anything. As a result, it does not get fed through when the machine sews and instead bunches. Setting the pressure of the presser foot to 1 makes no difference. There is still a huge gap.
posted by ninazer0 at 12:05 AM on July 30, 2021

I think this machine may need to be serviced.
posted by DarlingBri at 12:49 AM on July 30, 2021 [1 favorite]

Agree, service time. I was sewing some flimsy fabric this week and for the first time ever, adjusted the pressure. When I tried to return it back to normal, it just wouldn’t change no matter what setting I turned on the dial. My machine is an old manual all metal beast. I believe that the wire coil that controls the pressure foot tension is fatigued. I did force an adjustment by twisting the dial back and forth until I felt some resistance because I was in the middle of sewing something but it will need to be fixed before it snaps.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 5:23 AM on July 30, 2021

Did she swap out the original presser foot for a quilting-specific presser foot? That might not go all the way to the feed plate.
posted by Gray Duck at 7:17 AM on July 30, 2021

Best answer: Ok, here are some gnarly pictures of the inside of your sewing machine's head, not for the faint of heart. Looks like there is a set screw in there that can be adjusted.
posted by Horkus at 6:16 PM on July 30, 2021

Response by poster: Given that I'm in the middle of Lockdown 2.0, getting the machine serviced or to the nearest Janome dealer for help is out of the question right now given our current restrictions. I have lodged a query with Janome support and will see if they come back with anything.

Failing that (and lockdown is forecast to go until at least Septermber) I may take matters into my own hands and attempt to look under the hood, so to speak.

In the meantime, I have dug up another sewing machine (there's another two that I know of - may God have mercy on my soul) so will attempt to use that - it has slightly fewer buttons BUT the presser foot appears to be working as desired so....
posted by ninazer0 at 12:16 AM on July 31, 2021