Yeah, I'm not sure what to think. I'm pretty much at the top of what I'm comfortable spending with the 6600 and it would be my luck to wait til April only to find out that it's something way more expensive.......and then I would have missed out on all that precious sewing time ;) Honestly, it was so stressful to even come to the decision of the 6600 that I'm fairly certain I'm going to just take the plunge next weekend. It's sort of like buying a computer! The second you buy it, it's obsolete :)

I have a Jacome 9000 it is a sewing machine & embroidery machine I also have a Viking Designer 1 It is both . You need to think about service & about learning how to use it properly. I wouldn't trade either one because they both do different things my Jacome does beautiful stitches, as my designer 1 I like the 1/4 foot on my Jacome better than designer 1. I never thought when I bought them that I would be doing the work that I do. Make sure you get classes... Happy sewing...

My sister has a Viking with the embroidery and she felt she was wearing out the expensive machine doing mostly quilting. She sews a lot as I do. She purchased the Janome 6600 to do her quilting. I have the 6500 because I bought it before the 6600 came out. We both love our machines. Love the speed AND the automatic thread cutter is to die for. Didn't know what I was missing until I had it.

Don't know much about the Bernina having never really sown on one except in a class once. Loved the machine in the class. I really decided on the Janome because of price and dealer availability.

i would go with the janome just my preference

Before 1973, I had other machines and was soooo frustrated. In 1972, a lady came to do a demo to my adult Home Economics group I belonged to at the time. As I watched her sew on that Bernina machine, I knew THAT was the machine to own! So, for Mother's Day in 1973, right after I had my first dughter, he bought me that Bernina 830! I ws so pleased and have been ever since! I now own 3 Bernina's and 2 Bernina sergers. They are so well made---is it possible to go to another store? I'm so sorry you have not been treated like a queen at that store--my dealer was Bernina Sew What in Beaumont, Texas and Glenda would take people on to raise!! She is also my best friend--we used to be next door neighbors-I do miss her but go back when I can!

I have owned both and love my Janome. Sold the Bernina to a Bernna lover. Janome for me!

Just a thought.........my Janome dealer offers 90 day replacement for full price of a machine if you want to trade up or are not happy with the machine....you could test drive the Janome and then trade for the new model in April! Check and see if you dealer offers this.
Connie :thumbup:

Most feet attach to the machine at the pressure bar with a screw. Bernina have the foot and the bar all in one piece. So if you buy just a foot, you can't attach it to the bar by the screw, since there isn't a screw. You can purchase a special attachment that hooks onto the machine and also your foot, but it's pricey.

I do not have a Bernina embroidery machine, I have a 1230. I would go with the Janome because as you said they are they ones that have taken time to talk with you about the machine. I know what it is like to try to deal with a dealer who are rude. I took my 1230 in to be cleaned and fixed only to be told that it was old (85) and worn out, and would have to be sent back to the factory to see if it could be repaired, even then it could cost up to $1,000.00. I felt that they were really not interested in helping in any way. I called the dealer that I bought the machine from and got a name of a man , and took it over there and he has quoted me a price and has ordered parts for lest than half the amount first quoted. I have had several other occassions of when I went up to the Bernina place where I felt they didn't care weather I was there or not. You need to be able to communicate with the people you buy your machine from.

After more thought, I'd say you need to look at all the options you want to have and compare which machine has the ones you want to have and will use. Service: both location to where you live and the feel of the repair shop, do they also offer free classes, how quickly can you get your machine back after service, is the shop friendly or not, are they helpful and answer your questions. Make sure you can sit down and actually sew on the kind of fabric you'll be using, (not the starched fabric strips they seem to use at some shops to test the stitches). I'd bring fabric from home to "test stitch" on. Resale value in the future?, even if you aren't thinking you'll upgrade. Don't be distracted by "bells and whistles" you probably won't use.