b.zang

My local Janome dealer is having a big sale and I'm very tempted to invest some savings that have been waiting for the right purchase. I already have the Janome 6600 and love it, so need real convincing to move into another machine. However, the Memory Craft series have more space between the machine and needle making them very tempting. I'm overwhelmed with the selections, though, and would love feedback, reviews and recommendations from real quilters. My first choice is the 8200QCP but please let me know about others as well. Thanks so much for your help!

KalamaQuilts

I have the 8900 (been a New Home/Janome girl since my 1968 used one)
If I had to do it again, I'd get the 8200, I do not need all those stitches Otherwise I think they are the same machine.

Janome is really generous in taking in used machines too which will reduce the overall price.
I had a 6600, total workhorse, probably the best standard machine they ever made, but sold it last year, downsizing the herd. I bought it for use when I was away from home for 3 years taking care of my father in law.

IrishgalfromNJ

I have the Janome Memory Craft 7700 QCP. I bought it 4 years ago. I love that machine. I bought it for the throat space and I am so glad I did. I also love the Accufeed system (built in walking foot).

nativetexan

Oh goodness, my Janome is a MC4800. small throat space too. Wish I'd thought about that when looking for one. oh well, it's a good machine and I've been happy (enough).

jillmc

I am a Bernina convert....have the 8200 and love it. I do not need all of the bells and whistles- I wanted a quality machine with large throat, and no embroidery. Bernina does not have that available so I test drove the Janome 8200, and have been very happy with it for 4 years. I do my own machine quilting with it-free motion, ruler work, and walking foot. Good luck! I still keep my Bernina Record 930 up and running...she has been my main machine since the 80’s....

zozee

I've had the 8200 for 4 years as well, and love everything about it. Throat space is why I chose it, plus didn't want more features than it offered (and didn't want to pay for them). I love the auto thread cutter, the easy , intuitive screen selection of stitches, the way it does FMQ, how quiet it is, the alphabet I can make labels with, the auto tension which has never given me trouble, the drop-in bobbin, I could go on and on. I'm sure I'd love the knee lift if I ever get around to actually playing with it. But in 4 years I have not.

My only regret is that I didn't buy it sooner. On the other hand, if I had, I might not have appreciated it as much after struggling with small throat space of my small , first Janome.

Bobbinalong

I am watching this nervously having bought the 8900 only last week. , So far everyone has been pro the Janomes phew! Hopefully, I will feel the same once I have put it through it's paces. It does feel like driving a formula one car for the first time though.

My 4800 has given 13 years of service and will be kept for workshops if I need a swing needle and for my 7yr old grandson who is learning.

Murphy224

I have the Janome 6600, the 3160, and on a "spur of the moment" 5 years ago bought the 15000 and have absolutely no regrets. I used part of my children's inheritance and have never looked back. I kept the 6600 so I can stitch on it and embroider with the 15000 at the same time. The 3160 is my little traveling machine. I love my Janomes and the advantage to having all the same manufacturer is the learning curve is a bit smaller as well as some attachment feet and all the bobbins are interchangeable. Making life simpler.
This website from Janome Canada is wonderful and has all kinds of info about the Janome machines. I subscribe and get emails every few days or so with all things Janome. Always something new to learn.

https://janomelife.wordpress.com/

ruby2shoes

I had an 8900 for a short while and although I found the harp space "long/big", it was also "low" and I couldn't get used to it.

mkc

I have the 7700 and agree with this. I definitely find my back and shoulders hunching and tightening up when quilting. Because the head is fairly bulky, it can be a little more challenging to use for FMQ if that's its primary use (since the OP mentioned having the 6600 and wanting more space).

If it were the only or primary machine, they are multitaskers. If I were looking for more space for FMQ and already had a good machine for most sewing, I would look more towards the 1600P and its market siblings like the Juki TL2010Q. Straight stitch only, but overall more room to push a quilt into, less head "bulk" to block visibility, and a lot lower cost.