Janome vs Viking
 

I just joined this group and want to ask some advice. I started quilting 4-5 years ago and have pieced 6 or 7 baby quilts on my 36 year old Bernette. I hand quilted all of them since by current machine does not do that.

I am looking to buy a new machine so I can both piece and free motion larger queen size quilts. I have two price ranges with 2 choices in each range so far:
1. Range under $1000 - A Janome 4120DC - that does has a standard sewing harp space or a Viking Sapphire 835 that has I think 9"

2. Range just under $2000 - A Janome Memory Craft 6600P or a Viking Sapphire 835

I would like to stay at $1000 but an concerned that the Janome will not be the best for free arm. I would like to go for the Viking 835 since it has the harp space but am concerned about machine and I believe they are discontinuing this model

I could go to the $2000 level but ouch! It's a bit more than I really should spend.

So my questions are: Can I really free motion a queen quilt on a machine that has a standard harp space? Is the Viking 835 a good machine and will the discontinuation cause problems down the road? If I spend the $2000, is the Viking 835 or the Janome 6600P the better choice?

Thanks for your feedback - I really appreciate it.

I have a Juki that I bought for less than $800 years ago...it is the TL98Q and she's a dream for free motion...she has a 9" throat, nothing fancy just straight stitch and free motion but that's all you need to make a quilt!!! I think the newer model is a 2000 or something..Brother also has one that is comparable I think...

There are all makes and models of machine that would most likely fill your requirements; however, the one I would recommend (and own) is the Janome 6600P. I also have a Husqvarna-Viking Platinum which I use a lot, and like. I do NOT quilt on either of them as I have a long arm. I do think the harp space on either is adequate to do a rather large quilt. I used to quilt queen-sized ones on my Singer Athena 2010...I still have her; ....I wonder......NOT! Good luck with whichever you decide on!

I have a Husqvarna Viking 835 and love it. I can do free motion on it (queen is the largest I have done )and it comes with quite a few embroidery stitches that are really nice. Also you recieve free lessons with the purchase which really was handy. I learned stuff I had no idea about doing before. I highly recommend it. My previous machine is a Sears Kenmore and I thought it was a workhorse, but I am soooo happy with the Viking.

I love my Janome 6600!! I got it 1-1/2 years ago for $1299. I can easily quilt a queen-sized quilt on it. I absolutely love the AccuFeed, the automatic thread cutter, automatic needle up/down (which is a godsend for FMQ), and the bobbin case (optional, about $25) for FMQ. It doesn't have a free arm, but I have that on a different machine--and you don't use that for quilting anyway.

I have done many king and queen sized quilts using a 9" machine. IT IS A LOT OF WORK AND VERY SLOW. Doc says it may be the cause of my now disabling L shoulder arthritis. IMHO, Janome is a better bet. Also, I absolutely loved my Husqvarna Viking, on which I made hundreds of costumes and several tents. I stupidly gave it to my (now former) daughter in law when I bought a Bernina. That died after 3 years. My advice is spend the money to get a good solid machine.

I have several machines including a Janome 6600P and a Bernina 440 QE. If my house ever catches on fire and I can only save one thing it will be the Janome, hands down. It's just that great of a machine. I sew on it and use it a lot for thread painting as well as free motion quilting. I love it. IMHO.

I bought a Janome 6600 two weeks ago for $1100. It was a demo model in a quilt shop and came with full warranty. I quilted a full size quilt with it and that size did not challenge this machine. There's a learning curve I'm still dealing with, but I'm looking forward to a long relationship with this machine.

I too have the Janome 6600P. I bought it used from a local sewing machine shop. It had been a one owner and she traded up for a long arm. I spent $1,000 for mine, just a few weeks ago, and I LOVE IT!!! Call around to your local shops and see if they have a used one in.

I have had Janomes, SIngers, my daughter has a HV but I would ONLY by Janome. It is THE BEST!
Good luck with your decision.
:)

Viking has two new ones out; they are Opals

I have a Janome 6500P and HAD a Viking 875 Saphire. I still have the Janome and got rid of the Viking, if that helps.

I have had both a Janome and a viking. I love my viking far more than I ever liked my Janome. I have the viking Tribute 140c which replaced the Sapphire 855. Its amazing for free motion. The stitches are beautiful. Also if you do any machine applique this sewing machine is perfect for it. The pressure foot has auto lift so you never have to raise or lower your pressure foot manually.

I have a Viking 875Q, I would not buy another Viking - very tempermental. I have a 11 year old Janome - buy a Janome, but look for a demo model or a trade in.

This is funny. I have 3 Vikings and they aren't tempermental at all. I can use any kind of thread; I Never have to set the tension, it adjust itself. I started out with a Ruby and the went up to a Diamond Deluxe, I also have a #1 emb machine and a mega quilter. No problems, what ever anyone gets they should try them out at the dealers first so that you can see if the dealer and the machine are a good fit. You can't beat good customer service.

Yes, I did a queen size on my Brother Ultra Embroidery machine. I did it on my dining room table with leaves in it. I rolled the quilt and started in the center and worked out to the side. Just do this on each side and top and bottom.
I is much easier if you have a large table to support your quilt. Re roll each side as you start on that side.
Good luck. It wasn't easy, but it is doable. I didn't know about the vinal or not lowering the feed dog. I'm going to try that on a baby quilt that is ready to quilt today.
Good luck.

I have the Sapphire 830 and love it. It has a 10 in harp space, I measured it. No lever to lift the foot.
It will automatically raise and lower the foot just a little when in needle down. Love that feature.
Have had it for years with no problems and I use plain old Coats and Clark thread with no problems.
The only problem is if you are trying to sew over lumps like hems, it dosnt like it and will just sit in one spot.
For quilting it is great.

Thanks everyone. It took me a while to find my post! Still learning how to use this forum. I looked a Juki but I want a place that will locally service them. After much thought I decided I really wanted a Janome 6600P - I did not want to buy a machine and in a year or so wish I had gotten what I really wanted. But could not find one under $1800 in my area. I visited several quilt stores and they say they rarely see them come up used.

I did see one this weekend that was on auction at ebay and bid on it - but it wound up going for just under $1400!

So I found a Janome 6500P that had everything I wanted and had an extra package with a case and most all the feet I will need. I comprimised on my price and got it for just under $1400.

Your comments have really helped and I have enjoyed reading the posts. Thanks!

I have a Viking Sapphire 830 which I bought gently used. I have done over 150 quilts on this machine and love it. I can do up to a 120" x 120" FMQ and if you get the spring action open toe foot for quilting you can really zip along over the bumpy parts of your quilt. The only reason I would replace this machine is for something that goes faster. I can use any thread with it but have to increase the size of the needle with some thicker threads. I am so glad I bought this machine it has given me thousands of hours of piecing and FMQ with little trouble.

I have 2 Vikings, and I love both of them, but surprisingly, the older one is the better machine. It has no computer and uses cams for stitches-( I bought it used and put $220 in it for cleaning, oiling, and repairs) but it stitches anything, any thickness, never misses a beat. But for FMQ, last year I bought a Juki 2010, for $900, and it is one amazing machine. It has a stitch regulator, does 1500 spm, and i never have tension problems, thread breakage, or skipped stitches.