pollyann

I am a Janome user. I love them. That being said, I would go with the one that had the best dealer. The Janome 6500 is a great machine but I would go with the 6600 even if it is more because it will be beter in the long run since you can get it from the dealer and it is still supported. It will be worth the extra money. Good tools make sewing fun. All these bells and whistles on the machines are wonderful but you do need a good dealer as they just require more attention than those old workhorses of long ago but they do so much more and are so fun. My philosophy is to get a machine with a little more than you think you will use so that you can grow into it as you learn more and not be looking for another machine too soon.

Watson

I have the Singer S18 which is actually the Janome 6500 in disguise and I love, love, love it.
If I need an even feed foot for something, I slap the walking foot on.
I did all sorts of free motion on this machine right up to queen size before I got my mid arm. It's a work horse. Can't say enough good things about it.
The only negative I found was that the light wasn't very bright so I bought an LED strip to go under the throat and that fixed that.
Sometimes, a person has to stay within a budget and get the best they can. You asked about two particular machines. I don't know anything about Juki, but I do know that the 6500 is a gem.

Watson

piecelover

I've never tried a Juki, but I've had the Janome 6500 for nearly 10 years and i love it. I've never had any problems with it and have only taken it in to be serviced. I have a Brother Quattro for machine embroidery, but even if I'm not embroidering and it's idle, i will use my Janome to sew with. Nice machine. Good luck in ur decision making!

Linmar

My apologies to those members to whom I have not responded. I wasn't getting the notifications for today - even though I had visited the board in the meantime. I am starting to consider the Janome 6600 a little more seriously. It's really more than I wanted to spend, but it sounds as though it will last for years. The dealer was closed today-and I might not have time to go until Friday. (Assuming I make up my mind - I can't say I'm doing a good job of it.)

Another machine I am now considering is the Janome 8200, thanks to all the positive comments I have read online. I have spent less time buying a new car...just sayin'.

zozee

Ask the dealer if you can test drive both the 6600 and the 8200, and try free motion quilting. If you've never tried FMQ, ask her for a demo. (Hopefully she --or he?-- knows how and can demo it. It's a dream.) Also ask if they have a "re-box" (one that was reboxed after a customer return or after a quilt show, in which case the price is a lot lower and there are next to no hours on the machine. I got my 8200 for only $200 more than the 6600 because it was a rebox (and I didn't know to ask, but the dealer said the 8200 was HER favorite and she put in a call to Janome to see if they had one. Lo and behold...!) If the price is within reach for you, I can say with confidence that you won't regret the purchase. You'd be amazed at how much more throat space you have with 11" . No more seriously shoving bigger quilts under the throat. It can be done--and it is--by many a quilter, but I got such a bargain on mine and I knew I didn't need any more bells or whistles than it offered. I still feel that way.

Evy

I have the Janome 3160qdc. Admittedly it's one of the low end machines, but I do not like it at all. I've had it about 6 months and keep finding myself going back to my 20 year old Kenmore. Biggest problem with the Janome is that the thread cutter doesn't always work and for some reason it "chews" fabric at the beginning of sewing. I try to remember to use a leader but when I forget it really eats up the fabric.

Linmar

Hello all: I had just composed a lengthy update about my machine purchase. However, it completely disappeared and did not post! Currently I am madder than a wet hen, but wanted to let you know that I purchased a Juki DX-2000 QVP after testing one yesterday. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences with the machine models that were on my list. I was impressed with this machine and believe I will be very happy with it.

The dealer offered $200 off an open-box machine (fully warrantied) which brought the price so close to the F600 that I was able to easily decide on the 2000 QVP. As much as I would have liked to have the Janome 6600 or Horizon 8200, they were too far out of my budget range. (As an aside: if anyone is interested in the 8200, I did find a nice deal on Mr. Vac and Mrs. Sew with a VIP Package worth over $200 in accessories - and the machine - offered for $1,999.)

zozee

Yay! So glad you made your decision and are happy with it. The deal you got sounds really good. Happy sewing!

tallchick

Sew excited for you! I think you’ll be very happy with your choice and don’t forget to share your creations with us! Merry Christmas!

Sandygirl

Compare the warranties.....also, the Janome looks like a longer throat . I just looked quickly at both. full disclosure I own 4 Janomes of different pedigree. I listed them in my auto signature. I need to ADD my new Juki 2020 Mini... i wanted to play with free motion on the Juki tho I have not had a chance to do so yet. I don't know..you mentioned "industrial". unless you are cranking out product to sell..mass producing ..I don't see "why" industrial is a selling factor. you did say that you were new to sewing. enjoy your new craft and learning as you go. i am not going to suggest which one you shoud buy. that is your decision.


ok...i went back and read that you bought the Juki! Congrats! the model I bought is the 2020 . may we can compare our experiences with the machines since the models are pretty identical. we can start a thread.