I really want to get a new sewing machine and am considering the Janome Memory Craft 6300. Does anyone have any comments (good or bad) on this machine? Any other suggestions on what machine I should get? Thanks!

I have a Janome and Love it.

I have a small Janome Gem ($500)that I love as well as an older Elna Quilter's dream (also $500 but almost 7 yrs old) and an even older Babylock Esante 1 (more than 12 yrs old I think with original cost over $3000) that I would not part with. Find one with the bells and whistles that are most important to you but is easy enough to enjoy without being frustrated that it's too complicated. Good luck finding one you like. Remember that hopefully it will last you a long time so get what you want and what your budget can handle. I wouldn't go into debt for one.

I have the Janome 6500 purchased in May 2004. Initially I had a few problems with it compounded by the fact that I had a dealer who thought it was operator error and not a defective machine. It was finally replaced by the company a year later (not by the dealer). Now that I have all the issues corrected, we are ok. I still don't like the way it will veer off at a seam intersection or balk at the beginning of a seam and chew up the fabric unless you use a leader. It also needs a drop of oil in the oil wick hole under the bobbin case (doesn't tell you this in the manual) or the bobbin jumps and rattles. I don't think there is a perfect machine out there. Go shopping, try them out and buy the one that most closely matches your list of needed features. I love the thread cutter on my Janome, the wider harp and the needle up feature but my much cheaper take to class Husqvarna Prelude 370 sews a much better stitch and doesn't balk at thick seams or munch fabric.

It helps to make a list of the features most important to you, and then it's almost a must to sit down and try out machines at dealerships. Some machines that look great on paper end up feeling uncomfortable (I'm particularly sensitive to noisiness!). Take your own fabrics and do the kind of sewing you would be doing at home. It doesn't help to do elaborate embroidery stitches at the dealership and be wowed by that if 99.9% of your sewing is going to be piecing seams and free motion quilting.

I have a Janome 4800; it's okay--gets the job done, but am not that thrilled with it (my dealer also liked to blame me for any problems I had). I agree with the others, though--make a list of things you want/would like and then go try out all different kinds till you find the one you really like!

I love my Pfaff. I've had it about 4 years and it has a built in walking food

I recommend Pfaff. I have 1 that is about 12 years old - never had a problem with it. I like it so well that when I looked for a second machine last year I bought another Pfaff, with different features. I'm thrilled with both of them.

I have the Janome Horizon (7700 ) and absolutely love it. It is a machine designed for quilters and has an extra large area between the needle and the right hand side of the sewing area. I was drawn to it initially for that reason alone because I do free motion quilting but there are a lot of other great features about it also. I am having to teach myself how to use it because my local dealer moved out of state but we are getting there. It comes with lots of included feet and stitches. Ann in TN

I have the Janome 7700 as well. Love it!

Ditto!!! Absolutely love this machine. I have had it for two weeks and I have already finished two quilts and working on the third.

I've had a 6600P for almost 4 years and it is a wonderful machine. You should consider which features are important to you - and importantly the size of the harp if you intend to quilt on it.

Same here, although I've had mine for 6yrs and am still in love with it. If I had to buy another machine it would be the Janome 6600, just like what I have. To me they are invaluable workhorses.

If you have the money....a Janome Horizon 7700...I love mine! If not, I am a big fan of all Janomes. I also own the Platinum Gem and my girlfriend owns one of the embroidery machines and loves it. Even their special editions have good features. I had the Janome 2007LE before I traded it in towards the Horizon and never had one problem with it in 3 years of use.

Don't know about the 6300 but I have the 6600, bought it last year. I know many quilters who have it & love it (& the 6500) If you can, I'd recommend spending a little more and get the 6600 for the thread cutter and dual feed sewing. Janomes are workhorse machines, and I'm much happier with the 6600 than my previous finicky Pfaff machine. Test drive all the ones you can - take cotton fabrics to try piecing and some small quilt sandwiches if you machine quilt :)

Hi Angie, You should answer the question what do you, or are you going to be using your sewing machine to make? Do you just do quilting? Do you sew clothes? Do you ever use fancy stitches on your current machine?

What features on a machine are you looking for? Needle up and down, needle position change(s), variable speed control, stop and start button, knee lever capability. You may want a machine that has more features than different fancy stitches.

Answer these questions, you will be asked when you go shopping by the clerk so have the answers ready. Then go shop, research, and try out any and all of the machines before buying one. Ask if you can have a loaner period of a week to try out the machine.

Good luck with your new machine purchase. Keep us updated when you get your new baby.

Pam M