Janomes?
 

I'm looking into,a new sewing machine & I'm leaning toward a janome but not sure where to start. I do not want embroidery on the machine though I kinda like the memory crafts but again not sure which one would be best I was hoping I could get some opinions thx!

I've been terrifically happy with the MC6600 for 8 years now, and never a trip to the repair or maintenance shop.

I have a Janome 3050DC and I love it. Does not have alot of bells and whistles buts a great machine!

I've had my Janome for about 10 years now and it runs like a champ. I have never needed a repair and she only goes to the shop for routine maintenance. I love her and she does anything I ask her to. She's not fussy about thread either.
Sue

I love my Janome 1600P. Straight stitch only. 9" throat.

I've got the TXL 607 and love it. The auto thread cutter has paid for itself with amount of thread I've saved on, lol. I love the fact that I don't have to use the pedal and can just set the speed, particularly for FMQ. It also has an alphabet and quite a few decorative stitches.

I have the 7700 and what has made it worth it for me is the thoat size. I can do my own FMQ'ing. it has paid for its self.

I have the Janome 6500 and it has been the most expensive machine that I have ever bought and the one that I have not liked! I'm sure that I got the one made at ten to five just before a long weekend. It's had a lot of problems and so have I. I definitely have had a love/hate relationship with this machine. There are some features that I really like, needle up-down, needle threader and thread cutter. I haven't liked the feed dogs (set in at an angle and have never fed fabric in correctly), bobbin case that rattles and bangs unless you oil the oil wick under it, a machine that veers off at any seam junction, dislikes thicker fabric and growls and sometimes jams or knots up for no particular reason and all of these problems were caused by "operator error" according to my dealer. I never want another Janome and am presently looking at the Juki Exceed 600 and the Juki TL2010Q. I could buy both of these machines for what I paid for my Janome 6500. I really think that there are no perfect machines out there. It's just a matter of finding (hard to do) the best one for you and a dealer that is willing and able to work with you to resolve any problems.

I have had my Janome 10001 since about 2004. never repaired just cleaning routinely. Love all the things it can do, and have not had time to use it all the way. Would not give it up for any other.

I have the HT2008. It's a basic machine but really sturdy and dependable for the past 4 years. The currrent equivilent is the DC2012. If I were to buy another Janome to replace this one, I'd go with one of the memory craft ones with a 9" throat as they do so much more. But for a workhorse, I like mine just fine.

I have a MC 3000 and have never had to repair it. Have used this machine for almost 20 yrs. now.

Sorry to hear about your problems. I've had the Janome 6500 since the 2nd year after it came out (can't remember exactly when that was) and love it. I have never had any problems at all with it. I'm thinking you must have gotten a "Lemon".

I have had my Janome 10000 since 2001 - never repaired, DH cleans it regularly - never been to the shop, uses any thread that I have. Is so quiet, doesn't vibrate. My Husky 875Q which is about 3 years old is loud, vibrates, groans and has been in the shop 3 times for cleaning as it just gets out of whack. It was made in China - I say just when Husky started with a new factory and the manufacturing directions were in English and the workers only read Chinese!!

I've had a Janome Sew Precise for over 7 years. I love her. I have also had a 6600 and loved it!! Because I went to work at a competitor's sewing store, I reluctantly sold it for one of their Pfaffs Expression 4.0. Had nothing but frustration with it. After I left that employment, I purchased a MC12000 and truly do fall in love with that machine everytime I use it. I think the new 8900s are awesome, just sewing, no embroidery. But can't justify that expense when the 12000 does both sewing and embroidery. (11" throat area!)

I have a MC9000 that I have been using regularly for 17 years. Been in the shop just a couple times for a blown fuse (my error?), but other than that she has been a super workhorse. I love, love, love this machine. My other machine is a Featherweight which I love too, but only get her out occasionally for some special projects (because I love sewing on my 9000 just a little more...sshh!).

I have a Janome 6500 that I will keep forever...it will sew through a 2 x 4! My recent experince with embroidery machines is that if you stick with Janome, Babylock or Brother, you won't be sorry. The brands that are still resting on their past names have gone to pot! Just my $.02.

I thank everyone for their input!

I have a Janome 720 and 760 (used), I bought the 720 to take to classes, then upgraded to the 760 because it had more stitches and I use the decorative stitches on my projects a lot. I teach sewing and when I upgraded my classroom machines I bought 2 DC 2010's and 1 DC 2011 (used). I have never had any problems with any of these machines and highly recommend them.

I am sorry for your problems but I am glad to know I am not the only one that got a lemon. I have a 6600P it has already had to have a new mother board put in it is 1 1/2 years old. Took 6 weeks to get that done. It will only sew with expensive thread. I called Janome when I was having trouble getting service in my area and they could have cared less. I had heard all the good things about Janome so that is why I bought one. Right now it keeps coming unthreaded all the time. It was making a scraping noise I called the service person and she said to rub oil around the bobbin holder. It works fine, but I have to keep oiling it and I thought you weren't supposed to do that to these machines. When it works it's a great machine, but make sure you have a reliable dealer in your area. I sold my Viking that I had had for 16 years that worked fine just wanted a newer machine a week before I started having problems I could kick myself for doing that. No more Janome's for me.

I have a 6500 and a 7000. Love them both.

I just bought the Janome 8200 Horizon, I absolutely love this machine!

I've had Janomes for probably 20 years now and love them. Never had any problems other than the needle threader on my 10001 doesn't work on all needles. I can deal with that! I have lots of vintage machines and love them, as well. If I was going to buy a brand new machine, I'd go for another Janome.

I have a JanomeHorizon which I absolutely love, before I had a Janome Memeory Craft 6000 which was my best friend for 30years.

I LOVE my Janome 6500 and 6600. I have had no trouble that was not operator error, and only one or two of those. As with any machine, I have to keep it clean and oiled at the one wick that it has. After Christmas I'm going to check out the new 8200, because it has an 11" bed.

What feet does it have to be used with the new dual feed system? I am seriously considering this machine.

I got rid of my Janome for many of the same reasons. I absolutely hated it. I went back to the vintage machines after that and I am very happy. I would add to your list. I could not get my Janome to turn a corner with reinforced stitches. It would take an extra stitch no matter what I did. I just couldn't do it. My vintage machines - every last one of them will turn a corner every time - right where I want it and I can reinforce the stitches as I go. When I could not piece denim at the seams, I called Janome and they told me I needed an industrial machine. My vintage machines will do it with out a hick-up.

I bought my Janome in 1988.... I think that's an antique by computer standards! It has turned a bit yellowish gold, but I like to think of it as "aging like a fine wine". It still runs as well now as the day I brought it home! LOVE Janomes!

I too have a love hate relationship with this machine. Let's keep in mind it is an embrodiery machine also so we expect more from it. I did have to have it in the shop once last year, but she is powerful and I use her alot. Of course my preference is the old vintage Singers, but I have 2 Janome's and they are good machines. I really like the 1600 as well.

I have both a Janome 6004 & a 7700, and love them both. Never a lick of trouble with either. I bought the 6004 back in the 90's and it still runs like the first day I got it. I also have a 350E- can you tell I'm a Janome fan?

I have a Memory Craft 9500 and I just love it. I bought it at a dealer and was able to pay $100 per month until it was paid for with no interest. Great machine and great payment plan for those on a limited income.

I just bought the Janome Horizon Memory 7700QPC. It has the new wider bed for quilting. Like it lots. Nice heavy duty.

I've had a MC9000 since 1997 and it has never gone to the shop. Although I've had it for years, I never have actually learned to use all the bells and whistles, but hopefully this year I will turn over a new leaf and start learning since I'm not working. It is a great machine. I plan to take it in for a tune-up/cleaning, although there's nothing wrong with it. After over 15 years, I'm sure it's about time...

I am not a big fan of my little Janome. I have had a variety of machines, and my humble opinion is the best machine I have ever owned is my Bernina 220. It's a low end machine, that I have drug around the entire country on retreats, it's been bounced, shaken, run for hours unmercifully and keeps on stitchin like a champ. I like it better than my top end Babylock too. But that's just my humble opinion.

I'm going to second the Juki line of home sewing machines. I have a Janome 7700 and it is a nice machine, but nowhere as strong a motor as my Juki F-600. For the money you cannot beat the Juki's. I sew with my 7700 because I get the best 1/4" seam with it and that is so important when piecing. Wish I could find a foot I liked as well for my Juki. That is one place the Juki's fall down, the feet are not as well thought out for home use. I have a Juki 98 and love it as well. Love the strong piercing power of the Juki's - my 7700 can be fussy about thicker seams - not my Juki's.

I have a Janome 6500. I love it. I have had for about 10 years. Works great, never a problem. I have tried other machines and I always come back to my Janome. Sorry to hear about the one that had problems, because I have always recommended a Janome 6500 to my quilting friends.

I have the Janome 6260 and have used it for 7 years constantly. Never had a problem, never been serviced and LOVE it. I also have the Juki 98TL and have alot of problems with tension etc.
Sally

I have had both the 6600 and the 6700. The 6700 has nice features if they worked properly but my vote would also be the 6600. I understand the new 6900 sewing only machine is $5,000 and quilt shops will not be allowed by Janome to offer them lower so as far as I am concerned they can keep them. They also have to have a completely different table than the 6700 so that is even more expense.

I love my 6500
 

Shelbie, you are the first negative report on the 6500,/ or Janome in general, that I have heard of that I can remember. I had the same problem with the bobbin noise, but discovered that I was using the wrong size bobbins and thread knots and noises were generally because I had it threaded wrong or using the wrong kind of thread. I liked my 6500 so much I up-graded it to the 6600 when it came out, but didn't go to the 7700 only because I retired and didn't want to spend the extra money. I have six Janome machines and love them all, but use the 6600 for most of my sewing. Sorry you had such a bad experience with Janome machines because they really are work horses.

This is screaming "lemon". That has to be very frustrating. Have you made this list of problems known to the manufacturer? It sounds like your dealer has been no help whatsoever and I certainly would not buy another machine through him/her.

This is the one I'm calling a lemon!