Replies

1. 
   Crazy K | Aug 05, 2008 04:46am | #1

   Yup, and they're great machines.  I have had several different models and all were good.  Just depends on what you plan on doing.  I wanted to do embroidery so got a Mastercraft 9000 but no software.......big mistake.  I couldn't see spending the $$$ to buy those silly little design cards.  I switched to Viking Designer 1 because there was a dealer closeby and I could get lessons, etc.  That being said......for sewing, Janomes are great.  I understand that the 11000 TOL machine is awesome, too. 

   Hope this helps.  One thing that I hve found important is to have a dealer that's close enough to be convenvient if possible and one that you have faith in...........it helps lots when you have to call or stop in with questions!

   Kay

2. 
   meg | Aug 05, 2008 01:59pm | #2

   I took a quilt class at the Vermont Quilt Festival this past June, and the class came with machines provided. I used a Janome Gem Platinum and I thought it was fantastic. For the record, I am a confirmed Pfaff user (I use a 1222E which I bought new in 1981 and LOVE the intgrated dual feed feature). The Janome Gem Platinum is a great little machine - I will qualify this by saying that I only used one straight stitch for the 6-hour class and didn't give it a real workout. However, I would be interested in adding this machine to my collection!

3. 
   Bloss1996 | Aug 05, 2008 10:17pm | #3

   Just signed on for the first time in a couple of days and saw your post ... sorry I did not sign on yesterday ... hope this is not too late.

   I own my 3rd Janome machine and I swear by them.  I went to the Singer store as that is what I had had for about 20 years and they also sold New Home machines (which became Janome).    I had a 5500 and a 3-thread serger.  I have upgraded to a Janome 11,000 which is the embroidery machine and although it is very good I found that the 5500 (of which there were not a lot) was a workhorse. 

   I did not trade it in when I bought the 11,000 but took it and the serger to FL where we spend the winters ... I have used it and the serger for the past two years and it still runs great!    I had the 5500  and serger for about 15 years and did nothing but have it serviced on a regular basis.  No problems in all of those years.  I also upgraded to a 5-thread coverstich serger but it is not a Janome.  I bought it from a friend who had probably only used it 1/2 dozen times in 2 years.  She was intimidated by the threading and bought a serger that threaded itself.

   I cannot say enough good things about them but I am sure that those on this list that have other makes feel the same.

1. 
   Ralphetta | Aug 05, 2008 10:42pm | #4

   It's nice to hear from someone else who's pleased with their 5500. When I bought mine years ago I fully expected to get a Bernina. When I compared my fabric samples, the 5500 samples were definitely better...boy was I surprised.

1. 
   Bloss1996 | Aug 05, 2008 11:15pm | #6

   I cannot say enough good things about the Janome 5500 ... I think I pretty much said it in my last message ... it is a workhorse ... I compare it to the Everyready Bunny ... it just keeps on going and going.    It has truly been a great machine and I hope to get many more years of service from it in FL

4. 
   Qeteshu | Aug 05, 2008 11:04pm | #5

   I have had a Janome DC3050 for about three years now and I love it. It's just a regular sewing machine with 50 different stitches. It has been very reliable and I can do everything I need to with it. And yes it is important to have a good dealer if anything should come up or you want a tune up.

5. 
   MargieT | Aug 06, 2008 01:24am | #7

   Hi, I have 3 Janome machines.  First is the 9000 which is the work horse and never lets me down.  Second is the machine embroidery 300E which I love.  Easy to use and reliable.  Third is the Compulock overlocker [serger].  Another great machine - sews beautifully and has a great cover stitch. I would recommend Janome machines to anyone.  Here in Melbourne Janome also provides great support and lessons.

6. 
   Betakin | Aug 16, 2008 01:29pm | #8

   Janomes are known to be workhorses and I have owned several and believe it is so. Janome has been around for a long time and makes machines for other brands. Besides making machines in their own name Janome makes the present Sears Kenmore brand of sewing machines and sergers, and have made machines for Pfaff and Viking, including the Pfaff Grand Quilter and Viking Mega Quilter. I think Bernina also carried or carries some of the Janome embroidery machines. They have also made Elna machines and Janome now heads Elna USA.

   If thinking about purchasing a new Janome, you might wish to wait till the fall because Janome sent out emails that they are coming out with 4 new machines that will please everyone because the new machines will be for quilting or embroidery or general sewing.