Not true about Pfaff being the only machine with a small walking foot..

I have a Phaff 2056 and bought a Bernina this year. The Bernina has been a bit of a disappointment when it comes to FMQ but it could be because I'm still learning the machine and it's smarter than I am. I wouldn't give up my Phaff for anything in the world - I just needed a bigger throat.

Well, my dear, when the day comes that you want to trade it in, perhaps you will sell it to me instead. We NEVER have any used 6600's in this area (Alaska) and I can't afford a new one. I've been looking all over the internet and can't find decent prices on new and always seem to just miss the ones that were used and up for sale. If you have a source, I sure need it, my machine just died and I'm looking for another one.

I guess i got lucky when I bought a Janome in 03. Have had no problems. My only machine. I know there are other good ones out there. I don't trade things.. just keep em till they die.
Same with suburbans and husbands. lol

Me, too. I bought the Horizon a year ago and love it. And I've always been a Bernina girl.

I strongly suggest you continue your research using on-line comparisons and, if you have a library nearby, check out Consumer Reports reviews. As for my, I have a Brother CS-6000i. If you compare the features of this machine against those of much more expensive brands, you will find it lacks only one or two features. For instance, it doesn't have an automatic thread cutter, but it does have: automatic threader; 7 position automatic needle position; touch up/down needle position; needle up/needle down programmable. It is digital with 60 built-in decorative stitches. The best part is I paid $169 shipped on-line. This machine gets good reviews and in my opinion is the best value out there. You can pay a great deal more money for one or two additional features but his is a very good buy. Good luck with you search.

I love my Baby Lock Espire (Now called Symphonie) and wouldn't trade her. Wish she had a built-in walking foot - but the add-on foot works just fine. Have a Paff as a backup but it is a made in Germany Pfaff.

KayKid,
I sent you a PM about the Janome Horizon. Check your private messages. Ann in TN

Love my Bernina and if I ever need to replace it, will replace with another Bernina.

I have a Janome 6600 and love it!

I had a Janome 6600 and it is a great machine. I now have a viking Saphire 875 and I prefer it, because the presser foot automatically raises when you stop sewing, if it is in needle down position, this makes pivoting effortless. The are all very good machines and I am sure you would be pleased with any one of them.
Michelle

I'm a Janoome fan. More machine for the money. I have the 6500 and the Platinum 720. Haven't had any trouble with either.

I love my babylock embroidery & sewing machine.
The long window down the right side is so much larger
than most, it can do so much and can be update downloaded free on computer from baby. Plus I have a dealer,
always there to help, show me what I am doing or not.
They also have many classes to take, even Diva days,
plus bus trip once a year to buy material and QUILT SHOW.
sewing machines are great but a person to help you ad show you what you can do the best whatever machine you have. It has so many add on's 13 feet, walking foor,
touch screens, etc. One more brother and babylock are under the same company, bother under babylock.

I have a Janome 6600P and love it. I also have a Janome 760 to take to class and retreats. Love it too. Good luck on making your choice.

What are you sewing? My next machine will be a juki industrial dual walking foot so I can sew the things I want to sew.

I love my janome. You need to look at who makes the parts, service issues. I also have a designer 1 (old) I have no need for a larger embroidery machine because I have commercial machines. If i ever got another hobby machine it would be the new Janome, it is awsome.

You can purchase the best machine in the world and it COULD turn out to be a lemon.....Then, you need a good dealer to recognize the problem and DO something about it. My new Janome was repaired 5 times before I insisted on a new machine. The new machine is wonderful. While going through the mess of repairs, I also purchased a new Brother that had a problem in the first week. Not only did the dealer fix it on the spot, but reported the problem to Brother. Brother send a NEW machine, even tho the original had been repaired. They did not want to disappoint a new customer. CUSTOMER SERVICE IS VERY IMPORTANT, particularly with computerized machines.

Posted on 10-14-2011

I spotted this on one of the other sites I subscribe to - just a reference for you.


FOR SALE --Viking Designer 1
Complete with original feet, hoops, manuals
and Video Users Guide - excellent condition.
Serviced September 2011 - $650.00 plus shipping.

Contact Margaret - [email protected]

-----------------------------------------------------------

I've had them all, except the Pfaff. First, I don't think you will get a machine of the same quality as your 20 year old one. No matter what you buy. They just don't make them that way any more.
My current favorite machine ( and I've had many favorites ) is a Bernina 820. I have an old Janome dedicated embroidery machine to make my labels, so wasn't interested in the 830. I traded in 3 machines (and it was still too expensive ) but damn, it is good. The new machines have so many conveniences that make sewing easier. Bernina gives excellent instruction classes and work books. . . at least my dealer does.
Get the best you can afford and try them all. Good luck.

Janome's are great machines. I have the Horizon and I've used the 6600 a lot. Great machines.

I have a Janome 4000, which I really like, even though it is an older model. I'd like a machine that can embroider, but that's probably not in the cards, however, my Janome has features that I like. If it breaks down I have a Brother and a Kenmore in my closet as back-up, the Kenmore has features that are very similar to my Janome, and the Brother works well too. It's all personal preference, try them all out and then decide. The dealer is also a very big component in liking a machine and being able to have it serviced when you need it is big.

My hubby bought me a new Pfaff Quilt Expression 4.0 in June for my birthday. I LOVE IT!! It is my 3rd Pfaff (since 1987). I love Pfaff's IDT feature--dual feed for all sewing. And just a few weeks ago I FMQ'd on it and it did the FMQ beautifully--so easy and great looking stitching and tension (it has an auto sensor for FMQ similar to a stitch regulator, altho not actually one--it seemed like it was to me). I was so happy with it I sang with joy!! I also love the extra space in the throat area 10" as opposed to my previous machine's 7". I highly recommend it.

I replaced my old Pfaff with a Viking Sapphire and I love it. My Pfaff was about 20 years old so this has a lot more bells and whistles. I am still learning what I can do with the Viking but I really love it so far.

Bernina....hands down the highest quality machines. At least, the ones made in Switzerland are. Not every Bernina will have some of the fancy or convenience features of Janome or Pfaffs, but I believe that the basic machinery, stitch quality, and reliability of the Berninas are ultimately the best decision.

Love my 640 bernina.

Ditto to the above. I love my Bernina.

I just bought a Babylock-I love it-smooth and does more than I can ever learn.

Me too! I had all Vikings, but when I saw the Horizon I had to check it out and am I so glad I did. I've had mine almost a year...got it last Dec. I still have my Designer SE for embroidery and regular sewing & my Viking 936 Serger, but my Horizon does all my quilting...with the huge throat space it is great.

Isn't that a dream machine???

Love my Janome machines too.
Carol in Delaware

I am a huge Bernina fan, especially because of the free-motion quilting BSR (Bernina Stitch Regulator). That said, go wherever you have a really good tech on site.

a lot depends on the dealer and how far you have to travel to get service.

I have had 3 Vikings over the past 35 years. Each time I upgraded and traded in the old one. I have a Lily 550 that I have had since 1998 and love it. No problems, only been in the shop just to be checked over. No repairs ever needed and it has sewn a lot of kids clothes, mended and now for the past 4 years making quilts. I am sure you will get dozens of recommendations from everyone on the board as we all have our favorites. I don't think you can go wrong with Bernina, Viking, Jannome or Paff, they are all good machines.

I've heard great things about all the brands you ask about. I have a Bernina 1530 from 1992 that was given to me and I love it. It does everything I ask of it and we are getting to be good friends. If I could I would only have Berninas.

I have several machines, but the newest one is a Janome 6600P.
So far I really like it except for one thing: I also have used a Bernina for years, and the difference in the way the Bernina starts and the way the Janome starts are worlds apart!
My Bernina takes off like she's in the lead in a major race; the Janome just has the "whenever" attitude. It's VERY frustrating! And yes, I understand that they're built like that for a reason...but...when I touch that foot pedal (or the "stop-start" button, I expect the same response (or close!) I get when I touch the Bernina...and I'm not getting it! And no, I really don't think I'm just being cranky! Plan to ask my dealer about it Monday...

I see a lot of positive feedback for the Janome 6600 and the Horizon. It's great to buy from a store that allows you to come back for lessons.

I just purchased a Viking Saphire 835 and love it! I had my previous Viking for 25 years (it still works like the day we bought it) so I wanted to stay with Viking. This has lots of features I haven't had before and am loving learning how to use it.

I have a 19 yr. old Viking and love it, as Brothers and Singers.

I was all set to buy the Janome 6600 but when I went to get it they wre out of stock, the gentleman at the shop suggested the Elna 7300 and to be honest, I love it! It has a lot of the same features as the Janome 6600 (of course it is made by Janome so that makes sense) but there are a few extras and hte price was lower to boot, maybe check out both? Best thing to do is test drive all the ones you are interested in for after all this is not a low budghet item and it takes time to make sure.

Good luck and happy stitching!

From someone who made a bad purchase the first time, go and try them out again and again and again. I now have a Bernina and love it. Like several of the other members have said, the dealer also means alot.
Robin in TX