I have some retirement savings that I can "claim" without penalty soon and my husband says that since I worked to save that money that I can buy a new machine. I've been looking on line and kinda like the Janome 11000 special. Does anyone have one who can give me a heads up on it--or any other advice about a machine? I had a Babylock for embroidery mainly, but it got fried by a power surge (thought I'd just whip up a quick baby gift and plugged it into a regular outlet) so--I don't know what to do. This will surely be my last machine so give me some free advice.

Did you check homeowners insurance for the Babylock. My friends got fried and she got almost enough to replace it.

I have a Husqavarna Designer ! and love it. But if it broke or I couldn't get it repaired I would probably buy Janome's latest machine. One of my LQSs sells them. I love their service and the people in the shop are great, personable and they have lots of classes and are about 5 miles from my home. I might also compare the Elna Ellissimo but that shop is about 35 miles from me. But I guess it's all a matter of preference.

I have the Bernina 630 w. the sofeware and the module, etc. I love it and while it was pricey, there are some that are even more so. That's my main machine, but I purchased a Pfaff Expression 3 and without all the embroidery, but it is just a totally wonderful quilting and sewing machine with so many design stitches. I did sell my serger, and did well and I took a part of that money and purchased a Jenome 2010. It's my lighter weight take to a friends or a class. It's my understanding that the top of the line Pfaff for embroidsery, quilting sewing and preforming surgery if needed is a well priced machine and worth every penny, ///but with so many in the group, you will have so much excellent information, it will make it must easier to compare pricing, classes, any machine care and so many other things that will come into play. Make a list of what you want it to do and make a list of your spending budget and a list of the various machines. After that you have a great start to what you really want to end up with as this will a machine that is going to last you a very long time. I would add one some thing, make sure that what you buy can be upgraded if need be. I'm sure someone can explain that better then I can. My Jemone, while I really like it, does not have the optional foot that I wanted so it's sometimes these little things that you don't hink about. And I am very happy for you.

I have a Janome 6500. There are newer models now. I own several Janomes but I piece and quilt on this one almost exclusively. I am not sure if you are looking for an embrodery machine. This one would not be.

I had a similar situation earlier this year. Although I have always been a loyal Janome fan, I feel like they have fallen way behind in the embroidery field so chose the Babylock Ellisimo. I have a friend who has a Viking Diamond and it is a lot more difficult to operate and is very sensitive to having lint cause it to lock up. They have replaced the sensor twice. Another friend has the Bernina monster 830 and since she has had a terrible learning curve (I consider her quite intelligent) and it cost more than I could justify spending.

I have heard that Janome may be coming out with a new embroidery machine next year to compete with the larger hoops and other features.

Whatever you decide, it is so important to go spend some time playing with the machines.

Good luck and happy sewing!

I have Viking, Pfaff, Bernina and Janome machines and, if I was forced to choose just one, I would choose my Pfaff Creative Vision. I have totally fallen in love with Pfaff's IDT system.

I also have a Viking Diamond, and have found it to be the most intuitive of my machines to operate - I have rarely needed to check the manual. Mine has never had any lint problems either, even when I made and embroidered a boatload of items last Christmas.

I've got the Janome 11000 SE and I love it. I love the stitches on the Janome's - I tried the Babylock before I got the Janome and prior to that I had a Pfaff. I'd sure check around and see if Janome is coming out with a newer machine. Technology moves so fast these days there is always something bigger and better out there. Only thing I don't like is the limited "footprint" on any of these machines. I know some are better than others. I love the magnetic hoop for quilting and I really love the auto scissors when free motion quilting! Just clip and move on! Good luck!

I am also in the market to up-grade my Brother-although there is nothing wrong with it, it doesn't have a blanket stitch for applique, and I would love an automatic thread cutter and a knee lift. I was thinking of a Brother Project Runway model-294 stitch. Anyone have any experience with that one?

I have a Brother SQ9000 for piecing and quilting at this time. But my dream machine is the Bernina 840 that does about all that you could ever ask a sewing and embroidery machine to do. Some day I will find a way to buy it!!!