I was looking at the comments on machines posted over the last few days/week. I have had a top of the line Pfaff with the embroidery unit for about 10 years. I also have a Janome Gem that I take to classes and that I love. By the end of the morning I think I will also have a Janome 4900. I am so tired of taking my Pfaff in to have the tension adjusted, or trying to pick threads out of the various moving parts whenever I try to use "fun" threads. I just had it in AGAIN, picked it up at the end of last week because I was taking a thread class on Sunday afternoon. I think I sewed about 10 inches of a satin stitch before the bobbin thread started to come to the top and the top thread went to the bottom - looks "interesting" but certainly not what I had in mind. When I tried a straight stitch it was like a basting stitch.... The Pfaff was expensive and a gift from DH (which is a long story....) so I have hesitated to look at another machine or to even mention in his earshot that I don't like the Pfaff. But when I got home from the class I got online and started looked at the various Janomes. I have not sewn on a 4900 but I do think that it will be the best choice for me - I like to play with decorative stitches, plus it is quilter friendly and there is a dealer in town. Anyone have a 4900?
Better get movin' - we are going to CA today. We decided it would be fun to take our exchange student to a big city and she and DD picked LA - we're going to hit the fabric district, Universal studios, Venice Beach, etc. Should be fun. Joleen in MN