Find yourself a good dealer and go check the machine (s) out. There are so many options for and against emb. versus regular sewing machines you really need to look at them all. I have the 9000 which only uses cards for emb. It never gave me a bit of trouble in the 13 yrs of have been using it. I updated, three years ago to Janome memory craft 10001 so I could download designs to emb from the computor. What ever you choose good luck. Marge PS, I still use the 9000 as a back up machine

If I had it to do all over again, I'd get a Janome 6600 for sewing/piecing, machine quilting, and then a Janome MB4 for embroidery. I currently own a Janome 11000 which I really like. It does everything I could want. I also have a Janome 1600P which I will use on a quilting frame. Now there's a machine that could sew through anything, but there are no fancy stitches. It goes forward and backward and that's it. I also have an MB4 which is outstanding for embroidery, but quite a large investment. Depends very much on what your wife decides to sew. If she like embroidery, go with the 9500, and sew the heavy stuff with that Singer.:)

Lynda

Hi, I have the Janome 6600 and that will sew thru canvas with no prob, I also have an embroidery machine Janome 350E. It was not worth my time to purchase the embroidery machine as I find that I didn't use the embroidery mach. only about 4 times so i gave it to my daughter for her birthday. But you can't go wrong with a Janome that is for sure. :wink: LOL

Liz

Amen Liz, and it is affordable too! my local sew and vac shop let me get both my machine on 12 months same as cash..which i had to do.
nothing against the higher end machines, i understand they are wonderful also..but i could not afford to drop 3 grand+ for a machine.

i have the 6600 ,and the jem platinum, i use for camping and classes..love them both! would not trade them of any other machine.

heres where i just got my machine free delivery and pretty good prices

did you forget the link? or am i missing it.

There is a shop in Dry Ridge Ky. that sells the 6600 for 1295.
Look them up on the net and have them mail it to you. It's a quilt shop. Can't think of the exact name.