Peaceandjoy, if you are used to a bernina, the jems probably seem under-powered? or absence of knee lift?? I won't be relying on the jem except for classes and if I need a beefier machine for a class, I have one I could haul in. i do like to sew outside and now and then for projects at daughter's home. I'd have gone with the 720 except not for $500. Kind of funny - Janome has a new machine - "Mod 50" - for $225 that has an amazing array of features over the jem gold and platinums too. It is light also, but bigger. i really can't understand the pricing! it SHOULD be a no-brainer to choose the mod 50 for same cost and get 10x more. But, for a full-featured machine, I don't want light and small so I guess i'll be ok.

I had the Jem Gold and loved it for small pieces -- the points of the HSTs never got caught. I used the zig-zag foot and marked the 1/4" line on it because I sew better with an open toe (I used a lined index card to determine the location of the line).

Can you free motion quilt on a Jem Gold? I have an older one and was wondering

Its not well-suited for FM due to its light weight and small harp, but you can do it if you have a very small project and cover the feed-dogs (they do not drop). Also it might help if you had it in a cabinet so it would not scoot. I have read of owners who have successfully used it for machine quilting both FM and with a walking foot but its probably not an easy task.

I love both my Janome Gem Platinum 750 (lightweight for retreats) and my larger 6600 for home. All the parts are interchangeable. That said, I would not buy a machine that does not allow you to move the needle. I say: keep looking for exactly what you want. Costco often has good deals, too. My friend loves her smaller brother machine she bought a really good price and she figures if it breaks she hasn't lost much. I know she has had it for about 4 years now.