love love love my Janome.

I have 2 Berninas and I love them both. I have a 180 which I've had for years and a a550QE which my dealer traded even because my 820 had been up to Chicago twice and I was fed up with it. She also traded even for the insert for my table, The feet I have all work on the 550 so their was no trading for feet. I have the BSR but have never used it

I had a quilter's edition Baby Lock and couldn't wait to get rid of it. I said I'd never have another Baby Lock. Well I've wanted to eat those words I don't know at the times. I had to have a Bernina. I had the 830 record but I wanted the new 830. Well I finally convinced hubby I needed it and couldn't live without it. Oh how I wish I could live that day over. Never would I buy Bernina. I do like the larger bobbin but it's so complicated to use..not user friendly at all. I don't think. If I had another chance at a machine it would be the Unity or one of the other high end Baby Locks. They are really nice machines and so user friendly. Of course what I like might not be for you. That's just my personal intake. I do really like the Bernina 440. I had looked at them but then they were discontinued. I did have a chance to buy one but didn't. My bad!!! Other than that it would be Baby Lock.

Several women at my quilt guild have Janome machines. They love them. Particularly because they are lightweight and can easily be brought to work meetings.

I have five different Janome machines and can't recommend them highly enough. Started with a basic Janome 5024 before I started quilting. Bought 6600 for the larger throat space as I quilt my own quilts at home. Then bought a 10,000 sewing/embroidery. Bought from a friends estate. Then came The 8200 Horizon to go on my quilting frame. Then bought Janome 15000. Love them all. I can have three machine on the go at once.

I have a Bernina Virtuoso 155 that is over 10 years old and I had it in the shop once because of a burr that cut thread. Works like a dream and I bought a floor model off eBay $1800 less than a local dealer was selling same machine. My Janome is good good, but I rarely use it.

Problem with both of these is the throat sizes. They are otherwise great work horses. Have you looked at the juki models which have slightly larger throat, my juki just goes back and forwards no fancy stitches but great for quilting.

I can't speak for the Bernina's, but dearly love my Janome 10000, upgrade to a 10001. Have never had a problem with it and it has a stitch speed on it (not called a stitch regulator) and would suspect that the newer modules probably have a stitch regulator by now. Would love to have their newest model, but can't justify the price for the sewing I do. The instructions with the Janome are very plain and easy to understand and the machine itself if very easy to use.

As several have said the dealer has a lot to do with whatever you get. No good dealer, and if you have problems you are up a creek without a paddle. While I have not had any problems, I don't think there is a machine built that some of them don't have problems at one time or another. Some just have more problems than others and you want to stay clear of those. Good luck in whatever you decide.

I have a Janome - Memory Craft 6500. I would not trade it for anything! I quilt, fashion sew, make bags and purses and dolls, the only down side is it does not have a free arm but when I really need a free arm I just use my old Kenmore.

I have had the Janome 6500 for 11 years and at first I had bobbin issues, but they replaced the faulty parts at no charge and it has run like a dream since then. My BFF has a Bernina and I paid at least $1,000 less and got the threader, auto clip, and needle down functions she didn't get..........not to mention the bigger throat.