bunniequilter

Go to a local dealer and ask about display models. You can get a high end demo at a really great price.I was able to pick up my Husqvarna at 1,000 less than the new price. My dealer fully cleaned and serviced before I took it home.

davidwent

OMG!!! These numbers are making my head spin as I sit behind my $60.00 Brother from Walmart!! LOL
David

Dina

Whatever you decide on, be sure to try out various models everywhere. I really liked one machine, but I simply couldn't figure out to attach the "supposedly built in" walking foot. (I guess they really meant that it came with the machine, and you didn't have to buy it separately. :) ) I also wanted a machine that wasn't too noisy.

I tried out machines at three places here in town, and I ended up with a Pfaff. I am very very happy with it. I almost bought the same machine online, but I decided having a dealer here right in town that I bought it from would be an advantage someday...plus I found out a years' worth of classes and 3 years free maintenance came with it. Nice.

I bought my machine a year ago.

Happy hunting.

kellen46

yes yes yes to the 440....I have sewn, embroidered, and pieced my way to a million miles on mine. It is a great all round machine and I have machine quilted even a king size quilt on mine. Find a good dealer and you will never look back.

judyyoungs

I have had Janome sewing machines for years. I started with the sew/emb combination, the 8000. Then upgraded to the sew/emb 9000. Later I bought the emb only 300. I had the 6600 until Sept of this year when I upgraded to the 7700 Horizon. This machine does not emb, but sews like a dream. It has extra lighting and a 11 inch throat. I highly reccomend Janome, but that is just my opinion. However, having said all that, I don't think you can get the new 7700 for 2K. Good luck with your shopping. Just test drive a bunch of machine and then made your decision. And very important also, choose a good dealer.

morelcabin

Have a look at the Brother 900D...I think it is a 950D model now. It has embroidery, and is a great peicing machine for $1000. I love it! I have had mine for 2 years and never a problem. It is amazing. I send it in to get it cleaned once a year, that's it.
Do you oil the bobbin case in the brother you have now? I bet that would make a world of difference in the stitching inconsistancies, if you don't. Try it. I oil mine every couple of days.

catrancher

This is what I have and I love it.

Cathleen Colson

I've had 2 Pfaffs over the past 40 years (they last forever) and love the IDT. Now using a Janome for garment sewing, any decorative stitch. My Juki 98TL is my straight stitch machine for free motion, heavy duty, beautiful stitch machine. I had a Brother $100 from Walmart, gave it to my sister for her crafts (sewing thru paper with out thread). It was plastic, sloppy, not even good for a kid's first machine. I bought my 7 year old grand daughter a Janome platinum. Knee lift, large throat space, thread cutter, needle up/down are all important to me. I may look into the Juki machine that has decorative stitches that came out this year, but I'm really content with owning the Juki 98 and the Janome 4900.

seppert

I have a 30 year old Viking and a Viking Designer I sewing/embroidery machine. I also have a Janome Jem and Janome 6600. I like the Vikings the best.

Ladyjanedoe

Keep in mind that the upperend Janomes do have some issues in finding the perfect setting for a 1/4". Because this is important to you I thought I'd throw that out there.

I have the 6600 and I enjoy it ,but I did have to fudge with the settings even with the 1/4" feet. I did find what I wanted and consigned it to the machine's memory . That makes it easier and now it's no trouble.

Someone noted that the Janome feet are difficult to attach and I agree. I switched feet about 5 times yesterday and each time I dreaded it--but got better as I went. I have another Janome so they are similar set ups but they did no one any favors with the newer ergonomics of the machine.

You're going to get 20 different answers here. Lots of wonderful tools for our craft out there. For me, I was drawn to Janome because my old machine was a reliable workhorse. So far, I'm not disappointed but there are a bunch of great machines. Good luck and happy sewing.