Juki F600 or Janome 6500/6600 or Janome Horizon 7700
06-10-2012, 07:33 AM
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,877
I have the 6600 and love it. Whatever you decide on, make sure you can get good service close to you. Buy from a reputable dealer. I also have the Brother 1500 which does amazing straight stitch only and is wonderful for machine quilting. It is pretty near exactly like the Juki 98q. I use both machines a lot and by the way I love the Accufeed on the 6600. You may want to join the Janome 6500/6600 Yahoo group. Tons of info and discussion there.
06-10-2012, 08:11 AM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 451
the 6600 has a lot of nice features and is a proven work-horse. The Elna 7300 which is now called the 720 is the SAME machine w/ a few added features. You may find it it is less $$ than the 6600 or it may be the reverse but its nice to shop around for pricing. If budget allows, maybe you could consider the Juki 400 which is much like the 600 and I believe there is another model below that one that has most of the same features. This would give you a nice compliment to the 6600 with free-arm.
06-10-2012, 05:56 PM
#14
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: London, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,326
I have the Horizon 7700 and love it. I have another smaller and older Janome, and a few vintage machines, but the more I use my Horizon, the more accustomed I get to it's little extras. It's like having a vehicle with power locks, windows, doors, etc and going back to manual. When I use my take to class machine, I sure miss the thread cutter 
The 7700 also has the Accufeed system, and it has no problem going through layers of denim - I've done it. If you seriously plan to do more quilting, you'll love the extra harp space. If in doubt - try them out. Go to the dealers and play with the machines. A good dealer will let you get a feel for the machine before you buy it. (especially the higher priced machines!!)
The 7700 also has the Accufeed system, and it has no problem going through layers of denim - I've done it. If you seriously plan to do more quilting, you'll love the extra harp space. If in doubt - try them out. Go to the dealers and play with the machines. A good dealer will let you get a feel for the machine before you buy it. (especially the higher priced machines!!)
06-12-2012, 09:49 PM
#15
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Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 27
Thanks for all the feedback and suggestions. I still have not decided yet. I can't believe how drained I've actually been from trying to make this decision. I know this is suppose to be fun, but there's a part of me that is worried that I will make the wrong decision. And another part of me is I usually feel guilty about spending $$$ on myself. I know, it sounds crazy.
I wanted to find out more about the Juki, as there is an authorized dealer here in town. They have gotten really bad reviews and I can see why. First, they quoted me a overinflated MSRP, but was willing to knock it down to their "special" price (which is above what the real MSRP really is). They told me if I didn't purchase my machine from them, they will not do any warranty work on it. Really? They didn't even seem to care that I am able to find the same machine at a much better price (less than half of what they are willing to offer it for me). In fact, the woman on the phone sounded pretty aloof about the whole thing. They will never get me as a customer and I plan to contact Juki about my experience with them.
I did some more calling around to other sewing centers. Eventhough they are not authorized to carry Juki's, they can still repair them. But those places were more interested on trying to sell me the machines that they carry. The Janome and the Baby Lock dealers did that to me. They were trying to talk me out of a Juki, asking me why I would even want one.
Since I'm about 4 hours from San Diego, my husband and I have decided to make a drive over to San Diego this Saturday and visit the Sewing Machines Plus store in San Marcos. They have the Juki's and the Janome machines that I'm looking at. I have no problem at all driving a few hours to make a purchase of I can't find a local company who will give me good customer service. I've done it in the past when it came to purchasing a car. I can do it again for a sewing machine.<form class="vbform" name="quick_reply" id="quick_reply" method="post" action="http://www.quiltingboard.com/newreply.php?do=postreply&t=191324" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 2em; margin-left: auto; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; clear: both; width: auto; max-width: 100%; ">
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I wanted to find out more about the Juki, as there is an authorized dealer here in town. They have gotten really bad reviews and I can see why. First, they quoted me a overinflated MSRP, but was willing to knock it down to their "special" price (which is above what the real MSRP really is). They told me if I didn't purchase my machine from them, they will not do any warranty work on it. Really? They didn't even seem to care that I am able to find the same machine at a much better price (less than half of what they are willing to offer it for me). In fact, the woman on the phone sounded pretty aloof about the whole thing. They will never get me as a customer and I plan to contact Juki about my experience with them.
I did some more calling around to other sewing centers. Eventhough they are not authorized to carry Juki's, they can still repair them. But those places were more interested on trying to sell me the machines that they carry. The Janome and the Baby Lock dealers did that to me. They were trying to talk me out of a Juki, asking me why I would even want one.
Since I'm about 4 hours from San Diego, my husband and I have decided to make a drive over to San Diego this Saturday and visit the Sewing Machines Plus store in San Marcos. They have the Juki's and the Janome machines that I'm looking at. I have no problem at all driving a few hours to make a purchase of I can't find a local company who will give me good customer service. I've done it in the past when it came to purchasing a car. I can do it again for a sewing machine.<form class="vbform" name="quick_reply" id="quick_reply" method="post" action="http://www.quiltingboard.com/newreply.php?do=postreply&t=191324" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 2em; margin-left: auto; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; clear: both; width: auto; max-width: 100%; ">
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06-13-2012, 04:49 AM
#16
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Boston, MA area
Posts: 970
I scanned the prior responses but don't think I saw this - forgive me all if it was there.
I don't believe the Janome 6600 has a free arm, which for me was a deal breaker since I do some garment sewing. As a new quilter, you might find the 9" harp confining. I quilted a large lap quilt on my Horizon 7700 and found it difficult but it was the first I'd ever done. Of course, it probably gets easier with experience. I like the Accufeed which both have.
One thing to consider is buying a vintage heavy duty machine for sewing layers of denim, assuming you would use basic stitches. You could probably find one very reasonably which would allow more of a budget for a new machine.
JMHO.
Good luck,
Cathy
I don't believe the Janome 6600 has a free arm, which for me was a deal breaker since I do some garment sewing. As a new quilter, you might find the 9" harp confining. I quilted a large lap quilt on my Horizon 7700 and found it difficult but it was the first I'd ever done. Of course, it probably gets easier with experience. I like the Accufeed which both have.
One thing to consider is buying a vintage heavy duty machine for sewing layers of denim, assuming you would use basic stitches. You could probably find one very reasonably which would allow more of a budget for a new machine.
JMHO.
Good luck,
Cathy
06-13-2012, 05:17 AM
#17
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Monroe, IN
Posts: 2,283
Originally Posted by Judi in Ohio
I am going to throw my vote for the Juki F-600. Go to pattern review and read about this machine. There is a reason so many people love it. For one the motor is many times more powerful than any other brand. I feel fine saying this as I've owned just about every machine out there, including the Janome. I had the Viking Diamond, The Pfaff Creative Vision, Babylock Ellisimo, Babylock Quest Plus, etc. I now sew with the F-600 and a Juki 98TL. You cannot beat the strength of the motors. I sew Vera like bags. These are the only machines that will go thru 8 layers of double sided quilted fabric. You might not use the strength all the time, but when you need it it is good to have.
Sorry to burst your bubble, but my 6600 will sew through 4 layers of fabric that is quilted to heavyweight fusible fleece with no troubles ever! The 6600 is a workhorse and the accufeed system is wonderful.
06-13-2012, 06:00 AM
#18
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Perth County, Ontario Canada
Posts: 278
I was in the same situation you are not too long ago and yes it can be a draining process trying to decide what will best work for you and your budget. I went with a Juki Exceed F600, bought it on-line as the only dealer near to me (about an hour away) couldn't match the price altho he said he would be happy to service it if it ever needs anything. (and I will be happy to take it to him as I don't like the local Janome/Singer guy) It was here in 3 days, I set it up and away I went, I didn't need lessons and I barely look at the manual it is so easy to use and understand. I do a lot of garment sewing and also make roman blinds, cushions, slipcovers etc and this machine rolls over all of it as good as my old Singer 15-91. I am in the process of reorganizing my studio and there will be a place for a Juki TL2010Q quilting machine.
06-13-2012, 11:02 AM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 816
You can do a queen size quilt on a machine smaller than the 7700, but it isn't as fun...
The 7700 was $3000 when I looked at it. I've heard it is about $2000 now. If it was that when I was looking, I'd own one for sure. I LOVE the machine I got- but the harp space is amazing, and its features are really nice. I don't like that the 6600 doesn't have a freearm, that is a must for me. I did have problems with the 7700 going through many layers of denim- I had to slow down my stitching, my current machine will do it at full speed without blinking...
The 7700 was $3000 when I looked at it. I've heard it is about $2000 now. If it was that when I was looking, I'd own one for sure. I LOVE the machine I got- but the harp space is amazing, and its features are really nice. I don't like that the 6600 doesn't have a freearm, that is a must for me. I did have problems with the 7700 going through many layers of denim- I had to slow down my stitching, my current machine will do it at full speed without blinking...
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