Hi all, I currently have a very basic Janome 525 sewist machine and also a Janome 6260 qc (think that is the number - I am upstairs and the machine is downstairs - being lazy!). I am considering buying a machine that has the above features, preferably a Janome as my machines do all that I currently need. I take the 525 to class each week. I would like to expand my horizons and have researched online but value the experiences of people who actually use these machines, and know more about them than the local outlets over here. Have checked the exchange rate and hope to be able to go up to about 1000 dollars, which is about 700 pounds in sterling. Am still a novice at quilting and not sure that I should spend this amount of money, but may never get another chance to do so.
What machines have you got and what is your experience of them, especially the monogram feature.
Sue

how big for monogramming, brothers have some small lettering, don't know how fancy you want it

The Janome 350e has 3 sizes of letters and 3 fonts built in. Plus you can download digitized designs & other fonts easily.

Thanks Bonbonary. Do you have the Janome 350e and if so how do you find the look of the monogramming. During my research some of the reviews were less than impressed with some of the monograms on various machines, saying that they were not very clear and sometimes very fiddly to use.
Sue

I haven't had any problems with monograms. I made up samples of each size so I would be sure to get exactly what I expected. They have several monogram features also. I'm very happy with the machine and would recommend it.

Many thanks for your replies Bonbonary, will look into this machine. Our local stockists openly admit that they know nothing about using the machines and rely on a lady who is not always available to advise them.
Sue

Firstly Hi from Bristol in the UK....if you are looking at an embroidery machine mainly for monogramming rather than doing big fancy designs then anything that offers you a 4 x 4 hoop size or greater will be good....also a lot of how good a design is ...is the software you use and that can be as important as the machine.
The brothers are good and the PED basic software very easy to use...I have a husqvarna designer 1 and use Embird software which is excellent.......best advice I can give you is find a really good dealer that knows all about embroidery machines... you should get something good for your money....oh and make sure it has USB transfer (not data cable) anything else now is dated.
Good luck

Hi Little Roo, nice to speak to someone from the UK.
thanks for your reply. Having been researching madly and getting more scared about having to digitize as although happy using computer, this digitizing sounds a bit daunting. Have you found it easy to understand? Money being a bit tight have thought of the Janome 200e or 350e, if I can persuade DH that I really could use it. I would like to be able to make words rather than just 2 or 3 letters. Is that possible without digitizing? Can you tell I don't know what I am talking about :?:

Hi.....Also nice to hear from someone else in the UK.... Firstly I don't digitize...have had a few goes at it and have to say I thought it takes far too much learning than I was prepared to give time to. Saying that there are millions, and I mean millions of designs available on the internet and you should be able to download something you like.
I use Embird and Sew What Pro as my two software programmes, far cheaper than the software you are encouraged to get from a manufacturer....quite a lot of people use the same....software can be upto about £1000 so make sure you get exactly what you need....you can PM me for more info if you like and I will give you my number if you want to chat.
As for the machines I think both the 200 and 350 by Janome are good...the difference being maximum size of embroidery that you can do and more bells and whistles....personally I would go for quite a big hoop size.....then you have to consider the cost of threads, backing etc....it isn't a cheap hobby...again if you send me a private message I will reply with my number and try and help with info....speak soon