Need advice about which machine to buy for FMQ
 

I have the opportunity to purchase a Janome 8900 plus a table for $1800 (cdn). I just bought a Juki F600 last year, but I really want to do FMQ and the Juki throat is only 8.5", so it's tight. I know it's posible, but I want to make it as easy on myself a I can. I also am looking at the Pfaff Performance 5.2 which I can get for $2700. I've tried out the 5.0 and I really like it, but I jut don't know if it's worth the extra $900. There are no dealers anywhere near me so I can't test out the Janome. If you were looking at a machine mainly for FMQ, which would you choose, the Pfaff Performance 5.0 or 5.2, or the Janome 8900? Or would you choose something else?

I have the Janome 8200 and it's FABULOUS for FMQ. Plus that 11" throat is wonderful . I love it. How old is the 8900 ? I have no experience with Juki or Pfaff, but if doing bigger quilts is what you really want, go for the largest throat.

Hi Bilben! We corresponded last year just after I bought my HZL-DX7, which is very similar to your F600. I totally agree about the 8.5" harp. I've used my DX7 to do FMQ on smaller projects, and it works really well. It's not "finicky" about thread, and no tension problems.

For larger projects, up to about 70-75 inches wide, I have a Juki TL2010Q. The harp is 9 in. wide x 6 in. high. It's a nice square harp, not the same shape as the DX7 or the F600.

That being said, I'd love a machine with a much wider harp, but I would also look at the height of the harp. So far, the machines I like are way above my budget.

Do you have a Pfaff dealer locally? I'm guessing that you don't have that many dealers in Whitehorse?

I hope you find the right machine for you. Please keep us posted.

I have Juki TL2010Q, love it for piecing and FMQ, just did my Queen size quilt on it.

Another quilter who loves my Juki 2010!! Fabulous for quilting and piecing and almost everything. I'm a mechanical girl at heart though, I looked at the Janome 8200 and played on it but computerized just isn't for me.

That's a heck of a good price!
I think my Mom has that one and if so, she really likes it.

Watson

I have the 8900 and love it. I was going to sell mine when I purchased a Bernina in January, but I can't part with it. It is fabulous for FMQing and I love the walking foot.

I also have the 8900 and it's wonderful. for servicing, the local quilt store employees told me that they (or someone they know) come to Anchorage once or twice a year to shop for fabric. We have a great Janome dealer here who might be able to service your machine when they come over, if you schedule such a visit. You might just want to visit Anchorage yourself to check out our great quilt shops.

The price you've been offered is great - hope you don't pass it up unless there's a problem with the machine, of course.

I'm more confused than ever now! I decided that I would go for a Juki 2010, which was my original plan when I bouth the Juki F600 (buy the first one and get the second if I really thought I would be doing more FMQ. I called a shop yesterday, who aren't Juki dealers, and they said that they had 2 Juki 2010s in for repair with solonoid problems, and that Juki Canada won't help them, they have to go through Juki USA. So that makes me a little nervous.

I'm glad to hear that people are happy FMQ with the Janome 8900. It was priced way out of my range last year, but this deal is so good, and I like that the previous owner already knows that this one is not a "lemon".

I'm testing out my friend's Pfaff Permormance 5.0 today. It's a fabulous (or pfabulous, as the Pfaff owners say) machine, but it is $600 more than the Janome deal.

Visiting Alaska is definately on my schedule for this summer - the fabric shops there are excellent!

I love my 8900 and that is one heck of a deal. I paid a lot more for mine.