I purchased a cheaper ($199) Janome 11590 with 90 stitches and I just did not feel comfortable with it. Once I got my Singer Futura CE-150, even though it isn't the quality of the old Singers, I felt that it sewed better and I have been more creative with it and using it more. Maybe it is all in my head... Now I'm looking for a vintage Singer to be able to have enough room between the needle and the right side of the machine to do FMQ...consider that before you purchase anything! My Singer and Janome only measure 6.5" and it is not enough room for much more than a baby quilt. If you do go for a Janome, check out the Kenmore from Sears, they are manufactured by a branch of Janome but cheaper.

This :thumbup: :thumbup:

I never realized how bad my Singer was till I got my Janome a few months ago.

I bought a Singer Futura SES 1000 about three years ago and what a waste of money that was!

That darn thing goes through bobbin cases almost as fast as bobbins - and at $30 a pop, who needs it?

It's spent far more hours at the shop than it has actually embroidering. :(

The next embroidery machine I buy will be a Brother.

Janome for sure.

Such a shame. The old Singers are wonderful- I have several.
Would not buy a new one though.

I hope you find what you want- you will! :thumbup:

I have never met a Singer I liked. I don't think I'd ever be convinced to buy a new Singer, unless it was a $5 Craigslist find or something.

I have just bought a Singer Featherweight on e-bay and took it to my sewing machine mechanic. He has done a fantastic job on it. Chatting about machines he stated that Janome are by far the best as far as he is concerned.Spares are readily available and Janome as a company stand by their machines!! He said most of machines are now made in Taiwan/China including top of the range Berninas but still rely on their Swissmade reputation!! From a very experienced mechanic JANOME every time!! Hope this helps!!

Singers are now made by brother. They dont have the quality they once did, but neither do any of the other machine manufacturers. Finding a good quality machine like a singer featherweight is impossible. I would go with what you can afford and had the features you like. I personally have a singers, brothers, and janome. For me it would also be about throat space and how I would be using it. If I had to pick just one out of your list, janome.

Fascinating...the store owner/mechanic who does the checks on my Janome 6600 over here is also agent for several other well known marques, a long time established business, and first time I took it there he told me that without any doubt Janome machines are the best and most reliable. I now have another Janome too as a backup and for travel. Never had a problem from either of them.
I've had Singers in the past (pre quilting days though) but always battled to get tensions right.

No to new singers, yes to Janomes and yes to old Singers :-)