I've had several Janome machines, and while they're good, I've been an owner of Bernina machines for several years now and like them better. Basically, it comes down to how much you want to spend on a machine.

Janome makes the Kenmore you have, I also have one and love it, it is my class machine.

I recently picked up a Pfaff Creative Vision for a phenomenal price and it is my favorite machine - I absolutely love it! I just finished a small wall hanging with lots of applique and the presser foot feature you mentioned made life so much easier. My Pfaffs just seem so much smoother than my other machines.

the machines in my life began in 1964 with a top-of-the-line Kenmore, had it for years till about 2002, sold it in garage sale (great machine only one part on it broke and the man came to the house to fix it (25-year warranty); next was another Kenmore (Janome) first computerized (had it for 14 years) friend bought it when I retired from work and my DH outfitted my sewing room: Innov-is 4000D (upgraded to the 4500), and a brother Novelle 1500, and won the Project Runway Limited in 2009 (great little carry around machine)so my sewing machine affairs have been long-lasting and happy - so I guess my vote would be Kenmore/Janome and Brothers. :)

I also have a 1030 Bernina and love it. I have a Babylock with a blanket stitch for applique but my Bernina is my favorite! I love the walking foot with it for quilting on the machine.

I have a sears kenmore that is 40+ yrs old. was in a flood in 1983 and machine stayed under water for 3 days. cleaned mud off of it for a long time. still sewing on it and it sews beautifully, no fancy stitching or nothing but i love it!

I also have 2 Janomes. One is a simple Sewist525S and the other is a bit more pricey the 6600P, it has a bigger throat space. I am buying a second hand Brother at Christmas time whch is an embroidery machine( for special gifts) What ever you decide, check out all of them, have a demonstration then if you like one but it.

For years I used a kenmore machine. A year and half ago, my husband bought me a Brother cs6000i.....I have had so much trouble with it....been in the shop twice and needs to go again. It wants to jump the timing....I got so disgusted with the machine and the Brother people....I bought a used Kenmore off E-Bay for $50 and love it!

Check out Brother machines - but go to a dealer - not WalMart - you'll get a better quality machine and and the support you need. I understand not wanting to get the top of the line, but don't get too little. When you get used to the machine and more quilting, those extra stitches are fun to have and use. Plus a variety of buttonholes, heirloom stitches and quilting stitches. You can really get a lot for very little in this computerized age!

Hi! I have two Pfaff's which I love! I had worked with Singer machines before that and just got fed up with the plastic parts breaking. My DH took me to the LA County Fair and made me try EVERY machine. The Pfaff 1471 had everything I thought I wanted. As the years went by, I just loved it more. This year, (after trying the Hobby Lock, Janome, and Brother) my DH bought me a Creative Vision, which I'm just beginning my "love affair" with. :-)
So, I would suggest that you go someplace (like a county fair) and try all different kinds of machines to find a good fit for YOU. Or, if that's not an option for you, visit different dealers and take lots of "test drives". You'll find the perfect new machine JUST FOR YOU! Best of luck!