For those that own new (made in last three years) TOL sewing machines:
09-29-2012, 05:32 AM
#31
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Glenmoore, PA
Posts: 7,941
There is also something else to consider...Husqvarna Vikings almost yearly have updates and upgrades that are downloadable through the Manufacturer's website. Since I got my Diamond 2 years ago, there have been several updates that added more fancy stitches, and easier movement through the onscreen menu. These are no-cost to the owner. I have no idea if other manufacturers offer this, but I think it is something else to consider when you purchase....seems that as soon as you buy a new machine it becomes "obsolete" because of new options on a new machine.
09-29-2012, 05:59 AM
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: West Michigan
Posts: 533
I have a babylock Ellegante. It is a wonderful machine and comes with almost all of the feet you could ever use. It has a wonderful stitch and does beautiful embroidery. It also connects to my computer for downloading embroidery patterns, has an editor built in and has built in tutorials on the screen. I LOVE IT
09-29-2012, 06:28 AM
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: NE Ohio
Posts: 464
I have the Brother Quattro 2. Love this machine. I have owned brother machines for many years (also New Home-Janome and Elna) and have never had any problems with any of them. Finding a good dealer is important. I use almost everything the machine has except the knee lift...just not used to it yet. I need to take more classes to use some of the features that I did not understand at my classes.
My warranty is fantastic. I have not used it for this machine , but my last brother had a major computer issue. So bad, it had to go back to the factory. They repaired it very quickly, updated the computer, fixed a timing issue and replaced a foot that I had a bad nic in. ( the computer issue caused quite a bit of damage to parts) I paid for shipping, but everything else was covered by warranty.
Buy the best you can afford.
My warranty is fantastic. I have not used it for this machine , but my last brother had a major computer issue. So bad, it had to go back to the factory. They repaired it very quickly, updated the computer, fixed a timing issue and replaced a foot that I had a bad nic in. ( the computer issue caused quite a bit of damage to parts) I paid for shipping, but everything else was covered by warranty.
Buy the best you can afford.
09-29-2012, 06:33 AM
#34
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 212
I have Janome's Marie Osmond Quilter's Companion (MQ200), and love love love it. When I bought it to replace my very old New Home machine, I was more into garment making than quilting. Then I added the Janome 1100 serger and Janome 200 embroidery machine to my studio. IF I won the lottery, I'd really like to add the 12000.
Features that I like on Marie: needle up-down (totally new concept to me 2 years ago when I got Marie that I'm SO hooked on now), the ability to close up that little hole on the throat plate to get really even top-stitching, and I like the fancier stitches for embellishment on some of my projects.
What I wish I had - larger throat area! More decorative stitches! Ability to sew over thicker fabrics or more layers of fabrics without hick-ups. Ability to embroider larger pieces on my embroidery machine! Auto threader on my serger! More money for fabric and machines! To be financially independent so that I didn't have to work and could sew all day long! LOL!
My Janome dealer/LQS owner has unleashed the stitchery monster within me!
Features that I like on Marie: needle up-down (totally new concept to me 2 years ago when I got Marie that I'm SO hooked on now), the ability to close up that little hole on the throat plate to get really even top-stitching, and I like the fancier stitches for embellishment on some of my projects.
What I wish I had - larger throat area! More decorative stitches! Ability to sew over thicker fabrics or more layers of fabrics without hick-ups. Ability to embroider larger pieces on my embroidery machine! Auto threader on my serger! More money for fabric and machines! To be financially independent so that I didn't have to work and could sew all day long! LOL!
My Janome dealer/LQS owner has unleashed the stitchery monster within me!
09-29-2012, 06:37 AM
#35
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Seward, AK
Posts: 153
Elna 740. I absolutely love it, and it gets loads of use. It's a little fussier than my Elna 6003, in that it wants to be cleaned more often, but it's still a workhorse, with many wonderful features, and very easy to use. I also LOVE my dealer. They send me bobbin cases if I need them and can't drive the 130 miles, or help me over the phone, besides being VERY wonderful when I take my machines up for their annual (or bi-annual?) appointments! In fact, there's Elna machine envy that has resulted in a few more sales!
09-29-2012, 06:48 AM
#36
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Texas, USA
Posts: 5,896
The knee lifter should be to the SIDE of your leg, not between your legs. The idea is to nudge it with your knee, to lift the presser foot. Sounds like yours needed its position adjusted.
09-29-2012, 10:09 AM
#37
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Kansas
Posts: 1,599
I have the Janome 6600 - the features are the same as the 7700 but the 6600 has a smaller harp space.
Features I DO NOT use - Needle threader, knee lift, single hole stitch plate
Features I love and would not do without if I had to replace the machine - Accufeed (built in walking foot), thread cutter, needle up/down with the push of a button, small increment needle left/right positioning, large harp size (but I wouldn't object to even larger harp!!)
Like the others above, I piece with my Accufeed all the time - but I use the accufeed foot with the 1/4" guide and I move my needle position to the right for a scant 1/4" seam - which is the only reason I don't use the single hole stitch plate.
The few times I tried the knee lift I still found myself moving my right hand into position to lift the foot ... so why bother with that dumb rod in between my legs!!
Never used the needle threader, honestly don't know how it works
And yes I would buy another Janome again ... drooling over their new one which has a larger harp area and is also an embroidery machine. The dealer gave me a SWEET deal on one but I just can't justify spending $8K on a sewing machine.
Features I DO NOT use - Needle threader, knee lift, single hole stitch plate
Features I love and would not do without if I had to replace the machine - Accufeed (built in walking foot), thread cutter, needle up/down with the push of a button, small increment needle left/right positioning, large harp size (but I wouldn't object to even larger harp!!)
Like the others above, I piece with my Accufeed all the time - but I use the accufeed foot with the 1/4" guide and I move my needle position to the right for a scant 1/4" seam - which is the only reason I don't use the single hole stitch plate.
The few times I tried the knee lift I still found myself moving my right hand into position to lift the foot ... so why bother with that dumb rod in between my legs!!
Never used the needle threader, honestly don't know how it works
And yes I would buy another Janome again ... drooling over their new one which has a larger harp area and is also an embroidery machine. The dealer gave me a SWEET deal on one but I just can't justify spending $8K on a sewing machine.
. I have used the decorative stitches and the monograming. I have done 2 free motion quilts on it and it's wonderful. In fact, I'm thinking about selling my midarm machine and frame. I upgraded from a New Home My Excel 23L. So much better - although my little New Home still runs like a dream.
09-29-2012, 10:24 AM
#38
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Owensboro, KY
Posts: 1,420
I have the Janome 6600 and love it. However, would someone from up above here explain how you use the Accufeed foot with the quarter inch foot??? I haven't been using the Accufeed foot to piece because of needed the 1/4 inch foot for seam control, so now I'm wondering what I'm missing. Please tell me how to do what you're doing.
09-29-2012, 10:30 AM
#39
Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NEPA
Posts: 64
I bought the Janome Horizon 7700 this summer. I love it. I always had very basic machines before. Love the automatic plate changer, the up/down button, the decorative stitches. Especially like the 15 feet, I think having the right foot does the job better. I love choosing a stitch and the computer suggests the foot, stitch length/width, needle plate and feed dog position. Lower dog feeds with a switch on side of machine. Have used fine embroidery thread and 30# thread and have had no problems. I always use the same thread in the needle and bobbin. I spent 2 days at my sewing center sewing on the 6600 and the 7700. I think the 6600 was probably a better buy for the money, but I was working on a quilt and the large harp (11.5" wide x 4.75" high) on the 7700 was easier to move the quilt through. I have been having fun and sewing more than ever. I would buy it again. I'd love to try a Bernina, but no one around here sells them, I agree about having a good dealer.
09-29-2012, 10:35 AM
#40
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Vancouver, Wa.
Posts: 148
I have a Babylock Ellegante, and I LOVE it! There are too many features to mention and it just does a great job. Also have the serger, which is wonderful, mostly because of the threading. The best machines I have ever had are Elna's, tho. In my opinion, they are tops!
Judy
Judy
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