I've just got the 6600 and I LOVE it! Having quilted up til now on a standard machine, the wide throat, speed control, needle up/down, acufeed system are the things that spring to mind as huge improvements on what I had. I'm sure they'll be more, the more I use it. Even putting on a binding is way easier and more accurate. I haven't pieced on it yet - been FMQing a lot and the quality of my work has improved immensely! It was pretty straightforward to get to grips with as well - it has lots of features but to me seemed sensible and logical as to how everything worked - although I had some demos and lots of advice from Katrine who posted above so had a bit of a headstart! :-D

I have several Janome machines. My best and hardest worker is a Janome 7500 Memory Craft produced approx. 20 years ago. I have since purchased a Janome 300E embroidery machine. fantastic machine. I also have a Janome 8077 that I use when I need a machine to take with me. This machine has some nice new features I like. BUT, I have a Janome 1600P on a Grace frame. This machine is made for straight sewing and not motion sewing. If you would like to purchase my Janome 1600P I would make you a good deal so that I would have extra money to buy a Juki. I have friends with both machines and no one has had problems with the Jukis, only the Janomes.

If your wanting a larger work area, i would forget the sewist.

see what the dealer has used,maybe you can get a good deal on something larger...the 6600 has a 9" throat. have you gone in to try the sewist?
i don't care to deal with pushy salesmen..they will talk you inot something that either costs more than you can afford, or into something they are trying to get rid of, something you may be unhappy with later. it is such a big decision..for alot of us, it is a liftime one..i can't see buying another machine in the next 10 years or more.
i got the 6600 on 12 months same as cash.
i have two friends that have the janome new home..they are both over 20 years old..they love them. they are work horses. They both quilt on thiers too.

I'm also looking and this weekend I'm going out for some test drives!! I've got a machine that does great piecing, and it does have some embroidery stitches on it with different options. Its lasted me so far 15 yrs. Now I'm wanting to do different things and expand and wish I would have gotten something more than what I did so I could've grown into to get my creative juices running (does this make sense?). I'm pretty limited, but it has definitely served me well. Won't ever get rid of it. Its been a work horse.

make a couple quilting sandwiches before you go! take them and play with them on the machines!

I had bought a Janome about 5 years ago and I love it, however, I wanted the needle down function and have now purchased the Janome 6600 as well. This machine is a work horse and I absolutely love it. It does everything I need to do for my quilt projects plus more.

I have both--the Juki and 2 Janomes. Like them all lol. The Juki is really nice for FM and piecing. If you want anything other than a straight stitch go to Janome. I sit them side by side hoping to have "babies" with both qualities I love. lol

lyn

:lol: :lol: :lol: They must be a boy machine and a girl machine then!

I love my Janome and would buy another one in a second. I'm a relatively new quilter and mine has been terrific.
Nainice

If you're looking at the 6600 (like I was) check out the new machine that came on the market yesterday. It has a lot of the same features, some really cool new ones-like the wide feed dogs- and is only $799. I don't know the numbers but my local Janome dealer was telling about in on Tuesday. It also comes with one of those acrylic table top thingys to keep the item that you're sewing flat, all the feet you need, and a bunch of other things.