I have the 6600 Professional Janome which I absolutely love. I do my own machine quilting on it and the extra 3 inches in the harp area really make a difference and I love the Start/Stop button, up/down button, and scissor button and I think they only come on a computerized model. With that said, I have a new "lady" in my sewing room. Her name is Elna - easy to figure out it is an Elna Mechanical sewing machine. My Janome is quite heavy and did not care to drag that one to retreats, classes, etc. so was on the lookout for a mechanical machine. Went to some garage sales last Saturday specifically to look for a mechanical machine. I was about to give up on finding one when low and behold I walked up to a garage sale and there were "4" machines - all mechanical. The owner worked in a quilt store and these machines were demonstration machines. There was a Janome, Huskavarna, Viking and Elna. The lady told me they had all been just serviced and cleaned. I asked her which one she recommended and she was hesitant but finally said the Elna. All I had was cash along and had enough for the Elna - it is a 2006 model. She cost me $125, got her home and what a beauty. She sews and purrs along like a charm. Did I pay too much for her -I don't think so - what do you think? The lady also gave me her name and address (and I know where she lives also) in case it didn't work like it should.

I'm happy and now have a more portable machine for classes, retreats and when I want to sew downstairs to keep hubby company.

I have the latest TOL Pfaff and I absolutely love it for everything. Because it is a sewing/embroidery machine I kept my older mechanical Pfaff to sew on while my new one is doing embroidery. However, I miss all the bells and whistles when I have to sew on it.
I do take the mechanical one with me when we travel in our 5th wheel cause it takes up a whole lot less room, but I am always happy to get back home and sew on my big computerized one.

I've only had computerized machines, and it seems like they balk at the seams or anywhere the fabric is a little thicker. They do sew through though. I can understand why it may be easier to get a "work horse" that just sews without always questioning itself!

I have definitely noticed. I have a Janome 11,000 SE and the body of it is thick and too close to the needle, it is hard to see under there. I have found it is easier to thread if I flip the door open so I can see better,. It's easier to replace the needle if I get on the floor so I'm eye level. I also used a Sharpie to make a mark of where to aim. Since I have neck issues this is all discouraging to me.

I went against all the good advice to "try before you buy" because I wanted to take advantage of free financing for five years and bought it from a store in CA which mainly sells online.

For any sewing that requires a straight stitch (both forward and reverse), I love my Singer Featherweight. It is the best for piecing, but works great when I am crafting. It sewed right through 8 layers of fabric and two layers of batting like a hot knife going through butter when I made my laste tote. FWs were made to be workhorses, and 60 years later, they are still going strong.

That is why most of us have more than one machine. Different machines do a better job than others, depending what's being sewn. I used to sell new Vikings, love,love the mechanical Emerald line.
I prefer sewing my quilt blocks with a treadle machine and do the quilting and binding with my Viking Sapphire 875.

TeresaA,
I find it truly sad, that today's Singer isn't a quality machine like the antique Singers. Some of my machines are over 100 years old and still sew beautiful stitch. The machines shown are: a 1910 Singer 66-1 and a 1917 White rotary, both are treadles. I sew quite a few of my quilt blocks with these machines.
Sharon

If you could go to any serious sewing shop/factory and you would see a variety of machines. Each will be set up for a task.

I use only PFAFF tried a Viking did not like it at all and went back to my Pfaff. The IDT can't be beat. Am looking to purchase the new passport for classes. I use a 7570 now but sometimes would like something ligheter. Also have the creative sensation. Have a featherweight but have never used it have to get it out and clean it up and see how i like it.

karamarie that sounds like a good deal to me. enjoy your machine

Like my mechanical Brother 1500 over my Viking Sapphire 870. The Sapphire has a lot more stitches, but for just plain hard work give me a mechanical any day. And, non of that expensive "servicing".