Since I have to replace my sewing machine I've noticed several on the board here own Janome's. Since I am under a tight budget I have a few questions if you don't mind answering them: Does Janome offer any interest free programs with payments per month? Which machine would you recommend for an intermediate level as me? I don't have a dealer close by, the closest is over an hour away. Any answers would be greatly appreciated!

I don't know if you are looking for an embroidery or sewing machine, but Kenmore is made my Janome if it helps any.

I have a Janome 6600. I like it but if I had to do it over again I would not buy this machine. THere are a few things it cannpt do that I would like and the support is not there. If you go to the Bernina site there are dozens of videos for the use of the machine. On the Janome site no such animal.

I have a Kenmore made by Janome and it's a great machine. It is advertised as a quilting/heirloom sewing/home dec sewing machine. What features are important to you?

I have three Janomes and would not buy anything else. they have a large variety of machines and prices are varible. You need to try them out, get a dealer you can trust. My machines have never given me a bit of trouble and one I have had for 13 yrs. Also the extra feet for the machines, depending on what you want are much less expensive than other brands. You should try and list what features you want on a machine. Such as walking foot, qtr. inch foot etc. depending on what you are going to use it for. You can get a decent machine from Janome for around $500. Good luck in whatever you decide. Marge

I agree that Janome's customer support could be better. When the bobbin winder stopped working on my Janome 6500, the repairman at the store couldn't figure out what was wrong. They told me I would have to send it back to the company for repair. It was under warranty so there was no repair charge, but I had to pay to ship it (the shipping wasn't cheap).

If you have a Bernina dealer close, they often have used sewing machines with full warranties. People often trade in their Bernina machines just because they want the newest model each year.

Kenmore machines are great. For a while they were bottom line now that White is manufacturing them, they are back to being top of the line. And Sears has low monthly payments! Check out the high end Kenmore. Great price for that machine. It will be my next new machine if I need another.

I have two Janome, love them both! Depending on what you want, the older kenmore's and singer's are agreat value. Not as fancy, but real workhorses. I have a Singer 51 model and would like a singrer 301 sometime. Again, great value.

Love my Janome 6600. I was able to put my machine on lay-away at sale price, 20% down, make payments as I could. So far, I have not had any problems. As I was taught, clean your machine in between projects or after 15 hours of sewing, change needle with every new project ie: one full sized quilt or 2 wall hangings, etc.

I was under the impression that Kenmore was made by White and not Janome. If I am incorrect, I apologize.

I agree about the online help. Janome has a long way to go to beat Bernina in this area.

Whatever you decide, get what you know you need. Think about how often you will use the 'bells and whistles' and if you don't need them don't get them.What you think you need on a machine, may not really be what you will use. Make sure you research the net about the different machines and what they can do for you. Enjoy whatever you get and make sure you get lessons on how to use your machine if possible.

i love my janome - 15 yrs and counting. when i got sick i didn't sew for almost three years, and believe or not, i couldn't get it together again. i couldn't even find my stuff, including the manual. i wrote to the company explaining what happened and they sent me everything that i was missing,
no charge. they have my loyalty for life. i have the memory craft 8000. it embroiders with cards and has a good range of stitch widths and lengths, needle up/down, spool up or sideways, some other good features for the age. when i got it, it was their top of the line. my daughter has two steps up from the bottom and loves it, too.

depending on what you buy, the seller may or may not offer monthly payment plans. as i understand that, it's his option.

i know that there's a janome distribution center in new jersey although it may not be factory. where do you live? can you buy at a show? they're usually less expensive. also look on ebay. make sure it's new and has the warranty. figure in the shipping.

good luck.

http://www.janome.com/fusetalk/forum...&threadid=1718

this is their blog site. i have found it very useful. type in the model number or name and you can post your question. someone knows the answer, just like here. remember that the people who post are the ones who have a problem. that's true for the viking site as well. happy people don't write in.

you have to register and become a member. the page i gave you is for the one i have, the memory craft 8000. btw, the manual is no longer easy to find (i've seen it on manual sites), but all the accessories are still available, 15 years later. that says something for support.

i loved it enough to buy the gem gold for traveling. i'm also the one who bought my daughter's.

White makes Janome machines and has been making Kenmores for the last few years.

I only need the machine for quilting so I would need a walking foot, 1/4 inch, etc., and some features. I didn't know that Kenmore made janome's as well. Thank you ladies!

I have all Janomes. The big embroidery machine, the 1600P, which is a really fast,straight stitch, workhorse, and a serger too. I love the Janomes. I had my 9000 for 14 years, just sold it and got the 11,000. The new owner is happy with it. I thnk they are good machines. They need cleaned once in awhile, as do all machines. The Gem line is great, lots of ladies in my quilt class bring those to sew on, light weight, but sew very well. Janome is a good choice for any sewing task you might have. And no, I don't sell them. ha :)

i have a Janome MC4800 and love it also. The dealer where I bought it is helpful plus the janome online site. perhaps a dealer who sells machines could set you up on an installment plan. good luck.

I love my Janome, but need to find a new person to service it. My guy retired and no longer has the patience or abiltiy to work on my machine. It has served my needs well and is a MemoryCraft 9000 with cards and lots of feet. I seriously have tried to damage it several times and have not suceeded! :? I need to get better at cleaning it and changing needles! :?

i have the janome 6600 and the gem platinum 760 (light for carrying to classes) and also the 350E embroidery machine and love all of them. my lqs has a repairman that comes once a week to pick up any brand machines for repair and cleaning and brings them back the next week.

I have a Janome and would not trade it. I just returned from the dealer after having my serger serviced. I saw the new quilters Janome and is is listed at 1500 dollars, which is considerably cheaper than the Bernina.
It now has a built in walking foot, which would sure be nice. It has a lot of stitches and the bed is wide.
I would love to have it.

I have the Janome6260 and the 6600, and madly in love with both. Why two then? Bc it takes about a month to get the annual tune-up, here.
I can't live that long without my machine! :roll: :mrgreen:

Thank you for all of your responses. I saw a Janome 6600 at my lqs for $1600 and she has a layaway plan. I am considering it.

I have the 6500 and love it, though I wish I had got the 6600. I also have a small QC4900 which is great for packing up, like them both. However, I have never had anything else as our LQS sells them and services and I didn't want to travel far if i had problems.

Looked to be a great quilters machine.

Have you considered a refurbished machine? I have been looking at them on ebay. I want a second machine that is light and easy to take to classes. I've been looking at a small Janome. I've also seen ones that do more. Something to think about.