Sitting very happily on our antique family side-table is my brand new sewing machine, surrounded by my essential everyday tools (laptop, Ott-Lite lamp, pincushion, pens, quick unpick, scissors, glue pen and my box of chargers and cords). Most sewing is done on our large dining/homeschool table only a metre away but there has also been a little sewing happening right where she lives.
Over recent weeks I have researched my options as the quilting limitations of my 29 year old Janome (SL.2022) had become increasingly frustrating. In the end I chose not to buy yet, and to continue using my machine until it would no longer work. This deadline came sooner than I had anticipated - last week Tuesday.
After seriously considering the Janome 6600 and the 8200 I thought the 8200 would be the machine I was most likely purchase one day. However after speaking with three Janome dealers (on the phone as we have none in our town) each one highlighted a variety of reasons as to why the Janome 8900 is a better long term choice. The day my machine broke I began to relay to my husband the information I had gathered and before I had progressed far he said "buy the better machine".
Three days ago my beautiful new Janome 8900 arrived and I have been constantly delighted with all I have discovered - and I've only just begun to explore all her capabilities. The most striking feature is her larger size, which is marvellous for quilting. The onboard lighting is excellent, the speed control is very responsive, it is very quiet to operate, has a needle up/down stopping option, a presser foot knee lifter, a convertible free motion quilting foot and so many other features which my old machine didn't have. With an onboard start/stop button you can even operate the machine without the foot pedal. She is a total pleasure to sew with!
The basic operation is similar to my old Janome, making threading, winding and inserting the bobbin all comfortably familiar. As with my old machine there are onboard storage compartments for all the feet and little extras - beautifully designed.
I feel like all my Christmases have come at once. As I sit down to sew I am grateful to my husband and also excited to know there is greater scope than ever to enjoy the process as well as to further develop my sewing and quilting skills.
27 comments:
Oh my! What a sleek beauty! The size difference is really something, isn't it! Ooooh, have fun!!!!
Oh Karen, gorgeous!!! Yes I would have loved to have seen it the other day, I'll pop in to have a look soon. I can imagine you giving it a little rub as you go past:) Wow what a difference, i know you were attached to your faithful Janome but your new one is lovely:)
Surprised at how open the lilies have bloomed too!
Ah Janome love:):)
Yes, please do Erin. The photos with the lilies were taken on Wednesday, just two days after my previous post - they are still beautiful.
Hi Karen, it makes me happy to hear you're so happy! Must be so exciting exploring the new machine! Have fun with it and treat yourself (and us ;)) to many beautiful quilts and other sewing creations by your hand.
Have a lovely weekend!
Things have been so hectic around here, I'm happy today to finally find some time to sit and spend some time bloghopping behind the computer. Your blog is the first I see and it already puts a smile on my face. Thank you for that!
Marian
I am so happy to hear that you have gotten your new machine, and your husband is so right... always buy the best on something like this. I know you are going to have many many happy hours creating with this gorgeous sewing machine. Congratulations!!!!! and happy sewing
Very nice!!! Enjoy your new sewing machine, I own the 6600 and I just love it, it's such a nice machine to work with. Congratulations on you new purchase!
beautiful acquisition!surely you two will get along...:)
Great new sewing machine and I know what wonderful use you will make of it!! Brought back fun memories of my last new one!! Enjoy and have a beautiful weekend, Karen!!
What a beautiful machine! The extra throat space will be amazing for quilting! Love its location as well. Your mini quilt looks gorgeous above it.
Wow! She's a beauty and look at all that harp space!! Sewing on her must be like buttah, can't wait to see :)
PS: Your neat sewing table has inspired me to go take care of the disaster zone that is my sewing space.
Congratulations,
I am sure you will love it!
Esther
Congrats on your new machine. She looks great and I know you'll get many years of use out of her. It already sounds like she's a joy to use.
Have a wonderful weekend ~ FlowerLady
gratulerer :-)
So exciting! Enjoy your new machine... the quilt on the wall is stunning as well!
Wooo! Wonderful new machine! I sewed on my mom's 15 year old Janome for many years, and then finally bought my own Janome 6300. I still dream of the Horizon though!
Wow!!! I'm sure you will enjoy it and I'm curious about the quilts you will make with it!
Greetings from Marijke
Congratulations, Karen!!
You'll do wonders with your fabulous new machine, no doubt!
Very happy for you. They say joy is not in things - but I do believe that joy is in making things - and you will obviously be very happy and busy making things with this!
Congrats!! She is a beauty!!! I am so happy she is fitting in to your family so nicely :-)
She is indeed a beauty! And....how perky she looks sitting in your lovely new li'l sewing nook! Such a blissful spot. Have oodles of fun playing with her!
Congratulations, Karen!
She really is a beauty, and I truly look forward to seeing what you and she will create.
so excited for you Karen. Can't wait to see what you make with it :-)
Dear Karen what a picture: The old and new Janome together .... What a difference. I wish you very much fun with the new sewing machine.
And a beautiful Weekend
Very wise advice from your husband to 'buy the better machine' - it makes total sense for an item that you use so frequently. Sounds like you've already worked out lots of things with it already. Great purchase and I for one can confidently say you deserve it. Renee
Email comment from my non-blogging friend Margaret:
I'm so excited for you with your lovely new machine. Welcome to this beautiful clever machine! I hope you have lots of lovely fulfilling creative hours with your new friend.
Hugs and love
Margaret
Oooooh she is lovely. I am impressed by the throiat space - yay for quilting with this machine! Enjoy!!!
You are going to have a wonderful time with that. I bet you are still pinching yourself. And even a computerised display!
I absolutely loved my Janome sewing machine which desperately needs a service (I haven't used it for about 6 years because of that reason). I bought it about 20+ years ago and it was one of the top models at the time. I used to sew a lot of my children's clothes when my youngest 3 were very little. The machine has a large array of stitches, many different feet, a needle in/needle out button which was fantastic and so many more features. It certainly had loads of use!
Enjoy yours!!
oooh enjoy your new baby ! I had a 26 year old Elna which is now packed away as my fabulous parents bought me a new Bernina 550QE for Christmas last year so I know how you feel about having a fabulous new machine to play with - have fun !
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