I personally have no problem with Marie Osmond being the new spokesperson for Janome. They are marketing toward a younger crowd, which they need to do before sewing becomes a dying art. Younger people can relate more to Marie Osmond (altho she is no spring chicken either, at least she looks it). I also like Kay Woods but she looks like my grandmother, altho I'm quite abit older than Marie Osmond who is over 50. (wish I looked that good!) And I'm in the majority that would not buy a machine because sew & sew endorses it. I do totally understand why they chose Marie Osmond.

As far as her traveling, performing, etc. It is her JOB, just like the rest of us poor schleps have. She has to have down time and relax too. If truth be known, she probably sews more than the majority of us! We spend most of our free time being addicted to our favorite websites! LOL

Just because she is a celebrity, don't ever think she isn't a regular person too. She just works in a high profile industry.

I don't have anything against Marie Osmond. I am sure she is great at sewing/quilting....but it certainly doesn't make a person an expert in that field. I don't doubt she uses a Janome machine (only because Janome most likely gave it to her) and she is a celebrity and can afford to purchase one of her own. Go figure!! Kaye Woods will not go unnoticed....there will be other sewing machine companies out there that would LOVE to have her expertise and promote their product! I buy a product based on quality and durability...NOT because some high profile celebrity promotes it.

Our PBS station here in Michigan has Fons & Porter and Sewing with Nancy on Saturday mornings at 5:30 a.m. We use to get some others but now they have dropped I do like watching them so I get up turn on the tube and watch. I love HGTV channel and wish some of these type of programs were on there. How many episodes of House hunting can you watch every day. Oh well, I feel better now. Celebrities are people too.Isn't it better to find a craft like sewing or knitting instead of alcohol or drugs as many celebrities are into. Everyone has a right to their own opinion.

I HATE so called celebrities particularly when they are using their so called status to con the public , it makes me vomit ; over here ---UK- they get mega bucks for advertising or putting their name to a product , one even advertises conservatories when he HATES them!!
NO , under no circs would I be influenced ,rather it would put me off the product.

I think Melinda in Tulsa hit the nail on the head, it's all about marketing to a younger audience. I hope Janome knows what it's doing, I mean, I go to the quilt shows, guild meetings, sewathons, etc and I don's see too many people Marie's age. Nothing against Marie Osmond, just makes me wonder what Janome is thinking. To me the demographics are not there to support a younger spokesperson?

I was just at the quilt show in Lancaster, PA, my first. My hubby and I were remarking how the average age must be somewhere in the mid 50's. (I will soon be 55). There were some younger folks, one young lady (probably 16-18) was just having a blast picking out lots of bright pink, purple and green fabrics :P Marie is 51, so though she looks young, she is right in the ball park for average quilting age.

and I was sticking up for Marie. But I don't know her personally

LOLOL I don't know Tim MacGraw, Josh Turner, or any of the country singer hunks personally either, BUT I'D LIKE TO!!! LOL

What does Marie O do in the line of quilting? In this field she is a nobody. We want kaye Wood. She has been quilting for years and knows her stuff. I like looking to someone who can teach me new techniques and new patterns. I really think Janome has goofed on this one.

As far as Marie Osmund goes, I am not sure what clout that family has but they left a bad taste in my mouth when Donnie won on dancing with the Stars. I felt that to be so unfair when he got it "because of his showmanship" and not because he was better than other contestants. When Marie was on, they tried to pull the same stuff. So that show is downhill for me too. I liked them when I was a kid but their stardom has gone kaput. I guess they are just trying to be thos showbiz persons. I'm not impressed.

I wonder. think Janome sales dropped as their last machine was a dud so they are going with Osmund? Does jamone know about Kaye, Eleanore, and other good quilters? That's who we look to and if they endorse the product we consider purchasing. But Osmund? Go figure.
They are selling machines in JoAnns and Hadcocks. Maybe their just going to sell the cheap stuff for the beginner? Perhaps the Bernina and Baby Locks are the better machines now days.

you all need to go back to Patrice's first post. No need to dis Marie Osmond, she has her problems just like all of us. It doesn't matter whether or not she quilts. What matters is if you, the customer, like that particular sewing machine. Base your decision to buy on that and that alone.