I am in the market for a light weight sewing machine to take to classes and a janome jem is the way I am leaning..tried it out at a local shop and really liked it...and I too think shopping at local shops,provided they give good service it the thing to do...when you can...but then I am the proud mother of a young daughter who has a little local fabric shop in bostons south end ...

I bought my Janome Jem about 8 years ago and have never regretted it. Relatively inexpensive and very lightweight. I bought it locally. I try to buy locally especially at the mom and pop stores. If I have to resort to the big chain stores, I always search the internet. Another thing I do, I pay either in cash or with a check at my local quilt shop. THose credit card fees add up. I will do anything to keep them in business.

I bought my Janome Jem about 8 years ago and have never regretted it. Relatively inexpensive and very lightweight. I bought it locally. I try to buy locally especially at the mom and pop stores. If I have to resort to the big chain stores, I always search the internet. Another thing I do, I pay either in cash or with a check at my local quilt shop. THose credit card fees add up. I will do anything to keep them in business.

I've read all the comments regarding the singer brand - I purchased a Singer 7470 four years ago and recently upgraded to the Singer Quantum L500 - neither machine has given me any problems and sews beautifully - I purchased from HSN - I loved their payment plan options.

I just looked in the paper the other day and they had at a nice sewing machine dealers, machines for about $250, brand new. I would definitely go for something like that because they come with free classes and warranty and repair them as well. Jan

Gotta go with the Janome Jem. It is light weight but sews like a dream. I bought one to take to my quilt group. My 9000 was way too heavy and way to expensive to tote around. 6 months later I was in a car accident and "killed" my Jem. First thing I did when I could leave the house was buy a Jem Platinum . That was 6 years ago and it is still as good as new. Great thing are the quilting and walking feet.

do not recommend singers anymore either. got a Brother LS-590 at Joann's and they are on sale now for 79, with coupon and I think 10% in house and online. believe hancock's fabrics also has. 25 stitches with ability to combine for more. great little workhorse. my old brother held out for 20 years until movers broke it. not the quietest I have heard but great little machine for lovely price.

The new Singers aren't up to par, in my experience. I sold them for 1 1/2 years. Even the most expensive ones just aren't worth it; too many internal plastic parts, & very noisy.
The older Singers from 1960-mid 1970s and earlier are wonderful machines. By about 1980 they started to go downhill, the company was bought by someone who was only after a profit; rather than a good quality machine.
I bought a new Singer in 1986 and had trouble with it from day one, the store wouldn't take it back and refund my money.
Sharon W.

Thanks for this info! I just went online and bought one for Chirstmas for my GD (she is 7)

I bought a Brother just before Christmas about 8 yrs ago to make pillow cases, etc. for the grandchildren who were coming into our lives. Well, 6 quilts and several bags and about 100 pillow cases later, I still love my Brother and knock on wood no repairs!!