but please can you advise me?
Firstly I would like to say thank you to all of those who have made me so welcome when I joined today. It was a wonderful welcome.
Now to my problem - I have a Janome Sewist 525 and only that machine. I use it nearly everyday and have decided that I need another machine as at some point in time it will need - soon probably - a service and our local agent says he will have it for anything up to 3 weeks. I have been reading the posts regarding buying new machines and don't know what to go with. I have been advised to go with Janome again as the feet hopefully should fit between machines. Our local agent has a 6260 qc that he will let me have for £375 - don't know what that is in dollars I'm afraid. I am a bit scared as it is computerised and I have never used a computerised machine before.
Have any of you any advice for me or have you any experience of this machine, or would you recommend a different Janome? Another shop suggests that I don't bother with another Janome and go instead for a Juki, he also says that the feet from the Janome should fit the Juki.
My budget is no higher than £500.
Sorry that this is so long, I am addled with all the research and I don't want to find myself without a working machine.
Thanks for reading this, that is if you have been able to stay awake lol. and I haven't sent you all to sleep.
Sue

My advice is to buy the very best machine you can afford, whatever brand that is.

I have had 3 Janome, none of which ever had to be serviced. I currently use a 5000 that I have had for 12 + years. It has never been to the repair shop. I highly reccomend Janome if you want a stable machine.

I have a New Home Excel 23, which is the same thing as Janome. I think the name just changed. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong. I have had it 15 years and it's computerized and I haven't had any problems. I've been sewing today and it performs great. The book that came with it says that it never needs oiling so I don't take it to be serviced. I clean it good myself and it's good to go again. I'm thinking about buying another machine as I need one to keep in the house and another one to keep in my sewing building behind the house. As of now I carry it back and forth. If I do it will be a Janome because of the lack of service it needs and I also have all the different feet that can be interchanged. Good luck on what you decide.

Sassy granny

Have you searched at thrift stores, craigslist list and sewing- quilting groups? Since you are having the one machine serviced I would rethink buying an expensive machine.

As far as the repair time, the three weeks quoted could be on the shorter time, some repair shops have a longer waiting time and have call lists for machine repairs.

If you're in any kind of quilting group you might want to ask to see if anyone has a machine just sitting in their closet not being used and would love a new home where it could be used.

Do you just sew at home? Do you take your machine to quilting classes? The mechanical machines will tend to last longer as there are less electronics to get messed up. Are you wanting a machine to do embroideries? Is your sewing mostly what we use for quilting stitches? Does your machine or do you have a walking foot? Your sewing needs and style would greatly influence the decision of which machine would be best.

With all of that said there are a lot of quilters who at classes bring their old Singer featherweights or they bring the newer Janome Gem..and there are several versions. Most like the Platinum as it has all the bells and whistles and is a smaller lighter 3/4 machine.

Good luck in your search for an additional machine.

Pam M

I know most everyone but me has a computerized machine... They all love them. I've heard some talk about machines going into shop every six months to a year to be serviced. I have a VERY OLD Viking, bought in 1974 has only been into the shop one time. Never needs oiled.... easy to clean and is never tempermental. If I had to ever buy again I still do not think I would go computerized... Just me... AND I know and understand thousands of you gals have computeried machines and love them. :) :) :) which ever way you go, I wish you the best re: a new machine down the road. (((hugs)))) and welcome from Mevada

Quoted:
As of now I carry it back and forth. If I do it will be a Janome because of the lack of service it needs and I also have all the different feet that can be interchanged. Good luck on what you decide.

Hi Sassy Granny,

Did you know that you can purchase a foot adaptor package. This foot adaptor works with all types of shanks as there are interchangeable pieces for the different machine shanks. Then you can use any type of snap on feet for use with your machine.

Pam M

I have just bought a Janome QXL605. £429.00 but has a quilters package of 1/4" foot, Stitch in the Ditch foot and walking foot, an extension table and several other feet included as a special deal. This is the first Janome but the second computerised machine I have had. I'm thrilled with mine and have had no problems with computerisation. I have had a manual Riccar for nearly thirty years and while it still works well, I love how quiet and light the new machine is. Having spoken to the staff in two shops, I know that Janome feet can be used on several other makes. I know took quite some time to choose my machine. I think that the problem is that there are so many good machines to choose from these days.

My suggestion is to try the machines out. Take some scraps to the shop and sit and sew on the machines that you are interested in. Most shops give classes in how to use your machines, at least they do here in the US. I have two Pfaffs and love them both. I do like being able to switch feet between the machines. Everyone on this board have different machines. You need to physically try one out and decide for yourself which one you like.

Good Luck.

Many thanks for all your replies and glad that I didn't send you all to sleep - will look at the qxl 605. My machine is doing fine at the moment and the only reason I am considering having it serviced is because the teacher and a lot of the students at the class I attend have suggested an annual service can prevent problems before they arise. Will not know what to do with myself while it is on holiday if I haven't got a machine - problems with my hands limit hand sewing, although I am going to have a go at applique.
Sue

I also have arthritis in hands but have been doing some needleturned applique. Slow but sure. I think that the important thing is to fall in love with your machine, whatever the make or model you choose. After all you are probably going to spend a lot of time together and just as you are probably not the most perfect at sewing, your machine is rarely going to be 'The One'. The grass is always greener.....but this shouldn't stop us enjoying ourselves along the way.

I don't actually believe it's necessary to get a machine serviced every year, unless maybe if you sew a *lot* of hours with it every single day of the year. As long as you clean the lint out of it regularly it should be able to go much longer than a year without servicing. If it's an older machine that needs oiling, keeping it oiled regularly is a necessity but again, it shouldn't need professional servicing annually unless it is really used a *lot* -- like in a commercial business setting, perhaps, or if you sew 8 hours a day at home seven days a week year-round.

I agree. I have had my Riccar for nearly 30 years and clean it regularly but have only it it serviced 4 times. It still sings, albeit loudly, not quite the quiet purr of my new machine but soothing all the same.....

Hello from Minnesota. Welcome.

Thanks for reminding me, I think I did know that, I just wasn't thinking. The one I have now has snap on feet.
Thanks again.

Every brand can produce a lemon now and then but in my opinion, Janome has the best machines on the market. I still think you should take some fabric (different weights and types) and test it to see if you are happy. I personally don't like Jukis - not because of the machine, but the manuals for the ones I have used are the most incredible mishmash of ill written verbage I have ever seen!

Don't worry about computerized machines - they are wonderful!