Thank you everyone for your input! I do have four mechanical machines (2 singers: 221 and 99k, elna supermatic and a fleetwood deluxe heavy duty) that actually meet my current quilting needs. I was eyeing an original Lotus when I spotted the new one, and had to try it out. It seems that it is new enough that few people have actual experience with it. I think I will stick with my fab four for now, and perhaps save up for a known computerized at some point.

Hi Tene
this might be a bit late but, I just bought this machine. My intentions are to use this new lotus as my piecing and portable class machine, and when I have saved up enough to buy a long arm I will be doing that....I have a fairly new Elna 7200pro (which is apparently the same as the Janome 6600, thats where I do all my free motion now as it has an 11" throat. If you are looking for an all in one machine you should go with one that has the larger throat as this little elna could handle anything too big (also there is no extension table for it)
hope that helps

I have a mechanical high end Elna and a Quilter's Dream, I love both of them, but use mainly the Dream because of the throat space, I wouldn't buy this Lotus, simply because of the lack of throat space. If you can do whatever you want on your older machines and are satisfied, then I would just stick with them.

I have one and just love it...they have made the throat wider in the lotus and the needle bar is adjustable to set your needle where you want it rather than having to line up the fabric...I havent used all the stitches yet nor have I quilted with it but then I havent quilted on my old machine either but thats why I bought it...it comes with the evenfeed and quilt guide and the 1/4 inch foot are just a few of the accessories....I did not pay $1200. for it either...sales are everywhere even online...I paid half for it...that included shipping and handling...will keep you posted on the quilting part when I finish this quilt!!

They are not the same since Janome started making them, the Swiss made ones were great.

Where did you find the Elna Lotus online? The cheapest I can find here in town (Albuquerque) is $900

I bought one in 2012 for my granddaughter to use when she comes to my house. It's a great little machine. Makes beeeeeeauuuuutiful stitches.

The harp space is bigger than you may realize... it looks a little goofy because of the spool holder being in the head - but that also gives a little more space to the *left* of the needle for you to have stability with your hands if you are doing any FMQ.

All of that said, I'm thinking of putting ours up on SewItsForSale - because I have about 50 feet for my Babylock and I'd like to get my granddaughter a machine so she can use all of my feet - especially ones for embellishing, etc.

I think Elna's are made by Janome (someone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong). You may want to look at the Janome 6600P. I got mine from my local dealer for $1199. It has a 9 inch throat space and sews everything like a gem!!

Oops- I just realized that this is an older thread that got bumped up to the top...

CasaChavez brought it back to the top with questions... I think that made it fair game to respond. :)

But ... *good eye* for catching that! :)