Janome sewing machines
 

I have a New Home Memory Craft 7500, which I have LOVED since 1990, I believe. However, it's not always stitching consistently now. I've tried everything I know to do....short of taking it to a dealer to see what's wrong. Thinking about possibly buying another gently used Janome. I know there's one out there somewhere! LOL Would like a newer model, but don't want an embroidery machine. I already have a Brother for that and don't ever use it anymore. Just want a good machine for piecing. Am sold on getting another Janome. What would be the Janome machine that fits my description here??? Thanks

I love my Janome 6600p - but I also would be interested in other opinions.

I have the Janome 6600 and love it too! Also have the Janome 8050 to take to workshops.

Another vote for the Janome 6600P. It's a great machine!

I have a Janome 6500 and really really dislike this machine. After this one, I'd never consider buying another.

I have the Janome 6600P and love it. I also have the table for it and not sure if that makes a difference or not.

I have a Janome 6600 ...it is a great machine...bought it in 08...sew tons on it...

I'm confused as to why you would rather buy a different machine than get your current one serviced?

Her machine is 24 years old. I vote for "go shopping". As one can see, I am a HUGE Janome fan.
Sandy

Have you had your Janome in for service recently? DSM are just like cars, they need to go in for service every 12 to 18 months. But if you can afford to upgrade, it never hurts to go shopping and test drive the various models and see what works best for you.

Another vote for the 6600P! When I took mine in for routine service, the repairman (who has been servicing sewing machines for 28 years) said that all his customers love their 6600P's...but he gets a lot of complaints about other makes/models. So he recommends the 6600P to anyone in the market for a machine.

I have the Janome 7700 and a small Janome for class. Love them both! There is a wide variety of Janomes to meet various price points. Happy shopping :)

Another 6600 person here, too! I'm very fond of mine, as well. It does everything I want it to do. I've only had mine a couple years but so far it's been perfectly behaved; very reliable and problem-free. Mine is a little persnickety about bobbins - most people say they can use generic bobbins in their 6600's; I have trouble with anything other than Janome brand bobbins in mine - but she's not at all picky about thread.

I've busted needles at least 4-5 times by forgetting I had a straight-stitch foot on and switching to zigzag, and it's never knocked the machine out of timing. My 8 year old niece was turned loose on this machine for 2 full days and when I came back I found the machine still gamely sewing on, even with a bent needle, LOL. Put in a straight needle and she's like new again. This is definitely the most rugged machine I've ever owned!

[QUOTE=Sewnoma;6919877]Another 6600 person here, too! free. Mine is a little persnickety about bobbins - most people say they can use generic bobbins in their 6600's; I have trouble with anything other than Janome brand bobbins in mine - but she's not at all picky about thread.

Sewnoma, I have suspected my problem is the bobbins, also. I bought some one time at Hancocks....pkg said it was compatible with my machine. I have gotten them mixed up with the brand bobbins. I think I'll check the Janome website to see if I can still buy bobbins for this machine. Thanks.

Candace, the last time I took my Brother in for service, it cost $300 and nothing was really wrong with it. I guess I'm thinking why not pay that much toward another machine? It is 24 years old.

I have the 6600 also and love it. Also have a Janome 3050dc that I really like; didn't cost nearly as much as the 6600. There's an upgrade to it, I think its the 3060(maybe). About the same machine, but has an automatic cutter which the 3050 doesn't have. (I do wish mine had it). I take it to classes since it doesn't weigh as much. Have 3 Janomes and like them all.

Yeah, I've been told over and over that the Brother bobbins work in Janome, but that's not been true in my experience. I have a Brother embroidery machine and I have to make sure I don't mix up the bobbins.

I buy Janome brand bobbins on Amazon. My dealer carries them too but she wants a lot more than they are on Amazon. In fact I JUST bought another package this week: http://smile.amazon.com/Janome-Plast...janome+bobbins

They're not exactly cheap on Amazon either but I'm slowly accumulating a nice cache of them.

For your mixed up bobbins - Janome bobbins have a "J" on the inside core of the bobbin, at least MOST of them do. I do have some that were sold to me as "genuine Janome bobbins" but they don't have the J...but they DO work. So it's a little confusing; I'm not sure if they are just really good phonies, or if Janome sells some bobbins without the J.

I have the 3060QDC as my "travel" machine and it's a great machine too (I sure do love the thread cut button - best button ever). It's too small to serve as my full-time quilting machine, but it's perfect for taking to classes or on vacations.

[QUOTE=Sewnoma;6919975]Yeah, bobbins.

I buy Janome brand bobbins on Amazon. wants a lot more than they are on Amazon. In fact I JUST bought another package this week: http://smile.amazon.com/Janome-Plast...janome+bobbins

They're not exactly cheap on Amazon either but I'm slowly accumulating a nice cache of them.

For your mixed up bobbins - Janome bobbins have a "J" on the inside core of the bobbin, at least MOST of them do.

Thanks, I'll look for the J on my bobbins. Will also check out amazon.

One more vote for the 6600P. I traded my 6600P for a 7700QCP and then traded it in for the MC8900. Of all these machines, the 6600P was the best!

6600p still on market?
 

Just wondering if the 6600p is still on the market? I looked on Amazon and found a 6500 but not 6600p????

It's still listed on Janome's site; but it can only be purchased in a retail store, not online.

I have a Janome 8900 with the large harp. I really like the machine but really really like the extra space between the needle and the body of the machine. Even when I'm not quilting the extra space is nice.

I still like my 6600 but it's very testy about doing thicker seams. I get a lot of skipped stitches on them (I mean thick-like 8 layers of cotton and 2 layers of batting, when doing a bag) so for those I switch to my featherweight.

If you don't want the fancy stitches, try a 1600. A real workhorse and it sews fast! That said, I would like a buttonhole stitch.

I have the 7700 and love it. Mine is picky about thread, but I don't mind. :thumbup:

I have a Janome Memory Craft 9000 and I just love it. Sounds as though a visit to the Janome dealer to have your machine checked out would be the first thing to do. And sure, look around while you're there. Just don't tell your machine you're thinking of replacing her. Tee hee.

If you like the machine but it's giving trouble, why not take it in for maintenance and adjusting before you take the leap.

I have had the Janome 6500 for over 10 years and love it. Also have purchased a new Elna Excellence(also made by Janome) and are pretty crazy about it too. Free motion quilts like a dream with an 11 inch throat.

I also have the Janome 6600P and love it. But I do want to say-this is my second 6600P. My first one I had to bring to the dealer 4 times the first year with one problem or another. The dealer was also the repairman and was always very good about fixing it at no charge as it was in the warranty period. The 4th time I brought it in with a problem, he said it's a lemon and gave me a brand new one and I have not had one problem with this one. These are computerized machines and can have flaws in the boards so just like a car, you can get a lemon in sewing machines too. I still have faith in Janome sewing machines as I don't know what other machines has all the options I want without being so costly. Good luck with whatever you go with.

I have the Janome Horizon and another older Janome and I love them.

Sounds like you have a GREAT dealer!

I have bought several Janomes, and loved them all. I have a 6600P, which is a wonderful quilting machine and is a true workhorse. I had a 7700, which was fantastic for about 3 years, and then I upgraded it to an 8900 a year ago. I absolutely love my 8900, with the extra harp for fmq, and once I found the right thread combination, all the stitches are perfectly balanced. I kept the 6600 as my back-up machine, and wouldn't dream of trading it in (I've had it for about 10 years). I agree with keeping the embroidery unit separate from the main sewing/quilting unit. I do take my machines in to my dealer for their annual servicing, and that keeps them in good, working condition. Good luck finding the Janome that is right for you!

Yep, Love my 6600. It does everything I ask of it.

I am sold on Janome. All my machines, 2007DCLE, 6600, 4800QC, 7034 serger, 2012 DC, 720 Jem Platinum, Janome 350e and a Kenmore made by Janome are wonderful machines. I took a class at my LQS on how to do routine maintenance and cleaning on any machine, best $35 ever spent. My feet all interchange, the needle threaders are the best, and they perform as expected when needed. I began with a dual function machine that both embroidered and sewed; I opted to get 2 machines after one week. I am a huge fan of Janome based on positive experiences and reliability of the equipment.

I just picked up a reconditioned Janome 4000 with hundreds of stitches, on ebay for $200. It is a great little, in size, but very heavy, sewing machine. I wanted many of the stitches for appliqué as I am doing many of Edyta Sitars and she likes using different stitches. This is a fab little machine. Quiet, good price, free shipping and originally sold for $1500. I also have a Janome 5000 embroidery and a 10000 does everything machine. Love Janome!

I have 2 Janome 6600 - I purchased one for myself then I had the opportunity to purchase my quilting friend's when she passed away - I love those machines. They are a wonderful machine.

For crying out loud take it to the repair shop! You may decide you want another machine, but don't give up on a machine you know and love. The chances are good that it will cost less to get a profession repair/tuneup than it will to buy another machine. froggyintexas

I have machines that are 50 years old and if maintained, are better machines than what's currently produced.

I have a Janome 4000, can't begin to tell you when I bought it, just remember my Singer playing havoc with stitches and the dealer offered the upgrade to the Janome 4000, and actually discounted it the same price I paid for my Singer. I'm not telling you not to upgrade, but sometimes a trip to the dealer for a tune-up is worth the price. I just did that not too long ago and I don't regret it. I do have an older Brother machine as back-up plus a Kemore that was given to me free, but I need to save up some money to take it in for a check-up and a check. I cannot give you information about newer models of the Janome, but when I do upgrade it will most likely be another Janome, as I love it.