I'm new to quilting and my machine is 20 plus years old. I want to invest in a new machine and have been looking at Janome and Bernina. I want a computerized machine but nothing high end. Does anyone have any experience with the new Janome Journey? Thanks for your input.

Hi and welcome from the sunny state of Florida!!
I use a machine that's over 40 yrs. old so I'm of no help to you!

Janome is getting pretty great reviews by alot of quilters. There is a group that will tell you Bernina is the only way to go. My experience is the add on specialty feet are alot more expensive for a Bernina. No matter what test drive the exact model you are interested in purchasing. Bring your own fabrics the types you will be sewing . Make a small quilt sandwich to test the machine. It really is to only way to know how it will perform.
Ask about how much plastic is in the machine, Light weight typically means more plastic , which does not handle long term use as well as metal.
I consider myself an extreme sewer, long hours , and some pretty high speeds at times. I like "metal guts" in my machine.
As about how often it will require a "tune -up" some computer machines are very maintience intensive in comparison to the older non - compertized that if we oiled them and cleaned the lint out we were good to go for years with out ever taking them in for service.
Compare WARRENTIES!

Even though you've narrowed your choices down to Janome and Bernina, I'd like to put my two cents worth in about Pfaff. Mine is not computerized, but I love this machine. Especially the built-in walking foot. It has been extremely reliable and a real workhorse. If I ever decide to upgrade it will definitely be another Pfaff.

Welcome, waving from Indiana,

I would suggest go and test drive different sewing machines

It is great advice to test drive the exact model you are thinking of buying. I have a Bernina and absolutely love it. That being said, the Janome's are decent machines too. The new Janome Horizon is awesome! As far as the Bernina's go, consider a used one from a reputable dealer. They come with warranties and keep their value, so you can trade them in, just like cars.

Good Luck with what ever you choose and don't forget the pics.

I have 3 Bernina machines, and I have a Janome 6500. I love my Berninas, but the Janome is nice also. I think you should try the machines at your local dealers and see which one you like best.

Most Bernina dealers sell new and used machines with a full warranty, and the store where I buy mine also services the machines. They never send machines out for repair. I think that is a very important consideration.

The bobbin winder on my Janome stopped working in less than a year and the Janome repair man couldn't find what was wrong. To have it fixed, I had to pay to ship it to a factory, even though it was still under warranty.

Whichever brand you choose, it's good to know where servicing will be done, and how long you will be without your machine if it needs to be sent out for repair.

Have fun shopping and deciding.

I have a singer thats over 40 yrs old and a kenmore don't know the age it was my aunts. I also have brother 8500D and 4000D and I will have a Feather weight soon as it gets here I also have a Pfaff. I got the Pfaff used 10 years ago and it has been a good machine. My Brothers I use for machine Embroidery. When you buy a machine think about the weight of the machine and if your going to sew-in or work shop or just sew at home. Try out the different ones at the different shops. And go for the one you like and the price you can afford

The last Janome that I bought had a 25yr. warrenty. it is up and I still haven't had a bit of trouble yet.

My Kenmore sewing machine was over 20 years old when I gave it away and, as far as I know, it is still going strong. I never had a problem with it, either. I just stopped using when I got my Janome. The old machines sure were workhorses.

My parents bought me a nice Bernina when I was still in high school, almost 40 years ago! It still works beautifully. I drool over the new computerized machines, but I honestly can't imagine cheating on my old Bernina.

Buying a new sewing machine is much like buying a new car. People can recommend their personal favourite but only you can make the determination about what you need in a machine. Now a days only a couple of manufacturers are making the different brands of machines so for me a brand name is not important. Make a list of the stitches you need now and ones you think you may try in the future. Ditto with the features you can't live without. Check around for a reliable dealer that will talk to you and help you not try and sell you what you don't need or talks about how poor the other company's machine is. Try them out even the ones you didn't consider at first as they may surprise you. Don't ignore factory refurbished machines as they come with a full warranty like the brand new counter part but has been run through the paces and checked over more thoroughly then a new one. This may save you a few dollar and may mean more features in your price range.

I love my Pfaff too. I was just thinking yesterday, this baby embroiders, quilts small projects and sews beautifully. It's my all in one baby. I love her.

Sounds like you have a really well made machine. Thank you.

Hi Lori -- Thanks for the input I am leaning toward Janome.

Thanks !!!

Thank you

Thank you I am going to test a Bernina and a Janome. I saw the new Janome machine last week -- its really nice!

Thanks for the input, service is important as I live in a really small town.

Thanks, since I am taking quilting classes, portable is important.

Thanks -- I am hearing really good things about Janome.

Thanks for the great advice.

Thanks. Once you have a good machine its hard to give it up.

I'm sure you will be happy with either one. Be sure and spend lots of time trying each one out.

I think a big part of your decision is based on how much money you want to spend on your machine. I started on a Kenmore, no computer machine years ago and loved it. When I stepped up I bought a Baby Lock Esante ES1 computerized machine for about $2500. I've had it for about 10 years but the screen image if fading and the model is no longer made so I can't have it repaired. I still use it every day but I rely on a small flashlight to set the stitch length, etc. Then my husband bought me an Elna Quilter's Dream, also computerized but on a much simpler level, for about $500. Last year I bought a Janome Jem for $500. It's lightweight and perfect for classes. I love them all for different reasons. I find I don't need all the fancy stitches, the embroidery attachments and so on. As long as it has a 1/4" foot and auto needle down I am happy. Push button thread cutter and I'm ecstatic! So shop your budget as well as your brands and you'll find what's perfect for your style of quilting. Good luck.

Thanks so much for the great advice!

I own a Pfaff and love it. I know that not all computerized machines do this (my daughters doesn't so it doesn't apply but it is something to think about), Make sure that if a machine uses downloadable embroidered images or whatever to check if the software is compatible with Windows 7 which is very different from Vista. I've talked to a couple people in my sewing group lately who have almost been caught with this issue and were very glad they checked.

I love my Janome's, I have 4 different models and have never had a bit of trouble.

For sure, you should take the kind of fabric you sew on to the shop and try sewing/fmq on it with the different machines you are comparing. You might be surprised how they feel once you actually are sewing on them. If you use different threads, bring them along too. Silk or a heavier weight thread might act different in the machines.
I'm planning on purchasing a new machine in the next year or so, so I've been doing some research too. Good Luck!

No matter what you think in theory, I'd suggest you make a list of the features you want to have (or must have) and then go out to test drive. That is how I found out which was the right machine for me. Turned out to be a Babylock.
I did a lot of research online and test drove a Singer and Janome. Ended up with a Babylock.

Just have fin with it.

I agree with bringing your own thread and fabric. I sewed a lot of sequined, delicate and just plain ornery fabric long before I ever thought to try quilting (I just thought I'd give that a whirl a couple months ago). It is amazing how different machines will act with the same materials. Idealy you would take the same things to test drive all the machines so you would be sure you are comparing oranges to oranges. I always make a table with notes about how it handles each different type of fabric, thread, etc. I found one machine that sewed silk like a dream and ate tulle like a dog and it was a contender until that moment.

Thank you for the input, I like the idea of making a table to compare with using the same material and thread. Never though about taking my own material and thread !

This is a fantastic idea. I'll do this whenever I try a new machine. Thanks.