I bought a Husqvarna Viking Serger recently. Didn't notice where it was made until after I got it home. Box says "made in Vietnam". I didn't realize that they are not made in Sweden anymore.

I have a Bernina 830, my husband surprised me with one when they first came out.!! Love it!!! Does great embroidery and stitches wonderful. the learning curve is not too bad.
Enjoy!!!

I have a Baby Lock Ellisimo Gold machine and love, love, love it. I, like you had a hard time making up my mind. Babylock is very user friendly and that's what swayed me. It's an investment, but so worth it! I think I would try before you buy.

with the Janome you don't need big attachments, only your hoops. I also got the clothsetter which helps lineup designs in the hoop and also becomes an extension to your machine

I bought a used Bernina Artista sewing/embroidery machine from a friend who could not remember how to use it. I have taught myself with the instruction manual. The manual is NOT user friendly and I would not buy another Bernina without also getting lessons on how to use it because I know there is so much more the Bernina can do but the manual is so awful that I can't figure it out. I have a Janome Quilters Edition that I bought online and just love - the manual is very user friendly and I can't complain about anything except the needle threader!

I have an 8 year old Janome 9700--I love it!!! It has never given me any problems. The new "upgrade" is the Janome 9900. I tried it and want it. Not as expensive as the 12000, but it does everything except cook dinner... I have had a variety of machines over the years and the combo (embroidery/sewing) is the best idea ever and I am and will now always be a Janome Girl...
Good luck with whatever decision you make.

Barbara

I have a Bernina 440 QE; in the shop for service right now, due to embroidery module not working with the software. I like the "old" Singers. My mom has a Bernina Artista (cannot remember model #), but she uses it like she gets out of bed; every day! She has had no problems with it. I liked my Brother; but the handwheel literally flew off!

Brother/Babylock is the easiest to navigate and the quality of the embroidery is impressive. I've had a Viking Diamond and a Pfaff Creative Vision - hated the Vision and the Diamond just was too hard - B/B has all the bells and whistles and still is intuitive. Don't buy anything until you sew with it. I've been embroidering for many years, so when I say it's hard I mean it is just easier to do with the B/B

I have the Bernina 830 and love it. If I had to do it over again, I would do the exact same thing.

Exactly what I did! You will LOVE the 9900 if you buy it. I loved my 9700 too but I was ready for an upgrade.
sandy