Which machine do I want?

Now I'm sewing more, and wanting to learn how to make a variety of clothing and other projects, I'm considering buying a new sewing machine. I love my little Elna Mini, but the functions are rather basic and it's not suitable for much other than two or three layers of thin cotton. I'll most likely keep it for small projects, if we go away and I want to sew, or to eventually teach Amelia how to use it.

At the moment I'm tossing up between the Janome DC2101LE and the Brother GS2700. Does anyone have either of these machines, and can you tell me what they're like?

I like that the Brother has more stitch styles that I like, though I can't see myself using all of them regularly; but the Janome has a lot of different buttonhole styles, which I think I'd use. I like the fact I can drop the feed dog down (haha, I just learnt what a feed dog is last night) and freestyle on the Janome, but it's not really something I think I'd branch out into anytime soon. I love the automatic threading and one-touch buttonhole on both machines.

:lol: A machine that could read, cut, and sew from a pattern would be my perfect machine. That's what I'm having a hard time doing right now!

I don't have either of those models, but I do have a new Janome. I upgraded from a Brother and was choosing between a newer Brother or a Janome. Every single sewer person I asked said "get the Janome".

Love all of my Janome machines! :)

I have a brother and my sister has a Jenome. Both basic models, hers a lot older than mine. I prefer hers. Compared to hers mine is a lot nosier and more 'clunky' and hers runs and feels a lot smoother. If you can, see if you can have a trial run of both models in store to see what you prefer. :)

I say Janome only because I bought a Janome machine when I was 18, it's just shy of 20 years old and it's still going strong to this day. It's just a basic model with 3 step button hole (which was quite exciting back then lol) but it's been able to do everything I've wanted it to.

I went to Spotlight earlier to try to have a look at them both, but they didn't have the Janome so I couldn't really do a comparison :-/ The Brother is the middle of a range of three, so I looked at the others and they look pretty impressive as well. But you're all saying Janome so now I'm all confused :lol:

I'll see if Lincraft have them tomorrow.

I have a Jenome, but not the one you are looking at. Im not sure mines model, but its the one with the breast cancer ribbon. Mum advised me to pick Jenome, plus cause I got it at the Jenome store I got a free lesson on how to use it and keep it clean etc.. and know I can contact them anytime if I have any questions about it. not sure how that works though from another store, but I'm sure their troubleshooting is good.

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I went to Spotlight earlier to try to have a look at them both, but they didn't have the Janome so I couldn't really do a comparison :-/ The Brother is the middle of a range of three, so I looked at the others and they look pretty impressive as well. But you're all saying Janome so now I'm all confused :lol:

I'll see if Lincraft have them tomorrow.

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Go to an actual Janome store.

I have a Bernina (so totally not relevant to your question) which sews like a dream. BUT I was going to stress the importance of buying from an actual sewing shop/centre as you will get a world of difference in terms of access to classes on how to best use the machine's features, as well as all that after sales servicing, etc.

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I have a Bernina (so totally not relevant to your question) which sews like a dream. BUT I was going to stress the importance of buying from an actual sewing shop/centre as you will get a world of difference in terms of access to classes on how to best use the machine's features, as well as all that after sales servicing, etc.

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Yes, this. Sorry, I was FAK-ing earlier! LOL

I also have a Bernina, and am totally in love with it! I am not sure where any Bernina centres are in Melbourne (bought mine in Perth) but there is a Janome at Southland, so bound to be one near you somewhere - Highpoint is out by you isn't it? - worth a look. You will get so much better service, after sales support and they will even give you some basic instruction on it so you know what you are doing before you leave the store. They are really helpful and you know then your machine will be serviced properly, with quality parts.

For me, the questions you need to be asking is how long is the warranty, what does it NOT cover, what the most frequent fault is and why they are returned, and are the gears plastic or metal.

^^^
Very good points.
Also I bought a Jenome for 2 reasons:
1. Out of the brands I tried Jenome handled my unintentional roughness best

2. If I need to get it serviced or fixed its easy to find places that know about them, whereas when I had a couple of less know brands the shop I sent them to didn't know about them and had to sent away for info, which cost me more. (they had to order the service manual)
Having said that I lived in a country area at the time.

Eek, looks like I'll have to save up before I buy it then, I only chose these two because they're on that mylaybuy site and I could pay them off slowly :lol: I'll check out the Janome store if its at Highpoint, see the actual prices instead of what I'd be paying per week ;)

I got my Janomes from the Statewide store at Highpoint. It was a few year ago, but I was happy with them. Loved how I could walk in and just point at my machine when I was buying new needles. Plus we could take the machines for servicing through them.
If you can hang out to Mothers Day, they normally have some great specials. Also check about trading in your old machine ;)

there is a sewing machine shop on keilor rd essendon. they were very helpful and knowledgeable when dh was picking my overlocker. they have good for servicing and troubleshooting too. worth talking to someone proper, even to decide on model and then decide where to buy.

Looking at the locations of the Janome "dealers", I just saw some of my favourite words - "Payment Plans Available" :lol: I can't find a Brother-specific store though.

There's actually one much closer to me than Highpoint, I'll most likely go today to look at them. If I decide to go for a Janome I'll see about starting a payment plan on Wednesday... I'm not sure I'll be able to hold out until Mothers Day :p

I have the Janome 4120 QDC. LOVE IT!!!! I wanted something that had variable foot tension for sewing stretch, easy button holes, and a whole bunch of other things that have gone out of my head. It also has a knot lock stitch option instead of reversing (neater on garments), and can cut the threads for yo, which is very handy when you have a lot of material everywhere. It can do a simple alphabet for embroidery, but it is probably better to get a separate embroidery machine then trying to buy a sewing one that does it as they are easily $2500+

I think I paid $800 for it from Metr0 sewing in Southland, but it was worth it. I've been doing lessons for 2 years now, and I notice when people come in with cheap machines that can't do a lot of the stuff, they end up frustrated. Ironically the mid range machines make it easier for beginners, and the advances people know what to do on cheaper machines IMO.

The other thing is they are built so well, that if you take care of it, they will last a long time, so I knew the initial investment was worth it, rather than spending $200 on something I didn't like.

Go into metr0 if there is one near you and get them to show you all the machines they have a have a play around and see how the feel to you. A lot of girls at sewing have the entry level digital one that is about $500. Once I found what one I wanted a called a few places and found it for $100 off, and then price matched. Metr0 often have big sales which are the same price as mothers day machines, so you might not have to wait.

Good luck, it is very exciting!

Oh, and cehck what machine feet come with the machine, as it is $20-$30 to buy extra feet, which also adds up (but you don't need 1/2 the useless ones they give you anyway TBH).

Hi All,

I currently have the Janome My Style, Janome My Lock 604D, and the little Jem Platinum (for when Hubby and I go travelling). I know... I also see a trend :p. Now I'm feeling like it is time that I should update my collection!

Recently I have been drooling over the Janome Memory Craft 12000. I went to the quilt show a couple of months ago and I saw one in action. Wow! Just Wow! They were making these gorgeous embroidery patterns... Actually scratch that... the machine was making the design and the ladies were able to claim the work at the end! ;). I have always been a simple sewer, but I have always wanted to do quilting and embroidery, so I think that this is the machine for me, and I definitely feel like I should treat myself.

So I writing this here because I need your opinion. I just saw on eBay that a person is selling store demo Janome MC12000 for $6950 and I want to know that I will love machine before I hit "Buy"

Thank you and happy sewing.
Sally

wow sally! they normally sell for around $8000 brand new. if you are worried you could go to a janome dealer and play around with one before you commit. I love this machine and if I had the money I would get it!