I had the same problem with the knee lift until I adjusted it. :wave: Now I use it all the time.

I also have the 7700 and you do need to adjust the knee lift.

I got a Janome 8900 the end of September. I'm still trying to make friends with it. My old machine is a New Home/Janome Memory Craft 7500 purchased in 1992. I've never had it serviced, and it still runs great. I thought I wanted/needed a new one. Well, the 8900 has been very finicky with thread tension, bobbin tension, etc. Not sure I upgraded, except for the extra space under the harp. The specific 8900 I bought is not the machine I test drove. I think a trip back to the dealer is in order. Hoping to fall in love soon.

I am getting ready to purchase either the 8200 or the 8900. I've looked at Janome's charts and I'm having a hard time determining just what I will get for the approx.$500 price difference. I know about the extension table (around $150 on line), the larger foot control ($89 from Janome) and the extra stitches. I've never uses all the stitches on my 6500 and the serpentine stitch I really want is on both machines. I'm having a hard time finding a dealer who has both machines in stock so that I can really compare them. What makes the 8900 the one to purchase?

the 8900 also has a higher maximum stitch speed.
(that could be either a blessing or a curse. LOL)

I have tried both, and it may just be my imagination, but the satin stich and a couple of others seemed to be smoother on the 8900. I like the extra rom under the harp too. Sherol, I only put out the money after I have driven the machine that will go home with me. We have a great dealer in Wenatchee that is very willing to answer all questions about his competitors, and his own brands telling both the good and not so good about them all.

Thank you all for your input. Went to guild last night, our meeting place is right next door to Janome dealer, and came home with the 8900. have bee playing with it all day. So far so good really like it. but still need to keep operators manual on the table next to me. LOL

Congratulations on getting your new machine! Have fun with her!

How o you like the 7700? Do you have the RED front or WHITE front? I'm trying to find out what the difference is....

Update: I've FMQ'd a twin sized quilt, and it did great! (After fiddling with the thread tension, presser feet tensions, changing/re-threading bobbins, needles, and type of thread.) I've even used a few of the decorative stitches I thought I'd never use. Love the pop-up throat plates. But like others, I'm short and pudgy, and not sure the knee bar is for me... and I'm too old school---find my hand reaching for the back of the presser foot almost every time. Also, I think I need to sew somewhere other than the kitchen table--HAHA.. as height is a problem to begin with. It is quiet (the hubby doesn't crank up the volume on the TV like he used to). It has made me get into the Christmas craft mood a lot sooner than normal. The acrylic table almost acts like a light table with all the lights on the machine. Happy I got it now.