IF you sew every day and only do straight stitching but want the convenience of knee lift, needle down, large harp, needle threader, HEAVY duty, variable speed (up to heart-stoppingly fast), automatic thread cutter, plus you can fill bobbins while you sew - my new love is your best choice. Three weeks ago I bought a Janome 1600P and, while I have 11 other machines including four Berninas, I am over the moon crazy about this machine. And the price was WAY less than what I paid for my last Bernina over 15 years ago!
After years of looking at all the options/bells and whistles on machines I was using, I finally realized I was never going to use them and didn't care to learn how. I can't remember when I even zigzagged anything! All I wanted was a super reliable, fast straight stitching machine. Trained as a Home Economist, I have sewn about everything in my day. Today I only piece tops and backs and leave the quilting to others. I do see that there is a fmq foot that fits this machine.
My output has tripled at least and I haven't even given myself permission to put this machine up to it's highest speed! I am thinking that I just might get my considerable stash used up for my charity quilting with this baby! There's a screw down gauge that comes with the 1600 that I have been using with considerable accuracy. My scant quarter inch seam is as good or better than I have been sewing heretofore. I found these gauges to be aggravations before but it is a real asset on this machine.
The Janome 1600P is mostly marketed to professional sewists; however, if there are others out there like me, this will soon become the darling of the vast "I am a quilter. Don't talk to me about garments or embroidery." market. Keep your old machines, buy this one and piece like the wind!
I must add just one con to these many pros. I am headed for a retreat in two weeks and I am DYING to take this baby with me. She weighs in at 37 pounds; really heavy duty! But I just may take her anyway because I want to make all my retreat buddies JEALOUS!
Last edited by mhollifiel; 10-13-2017 at 06:07 AM.