Date: 10/28/09 10:44 PM

I am thinking about buying a Janome 6600 sewing machine and when I talked to my local sewing machine dealer he suggested I try a Pfaff Expressions. I would like to hear what others think. Thanks for any suggestions and advice!

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Date: 10/29/09 0:03 AM

I have never sewn on a Pfaff and only know about their IDT from what I have read and seen. But I can tell you that I love my Janome 6600. Quite simply it is a fabulous machine. I have sewn many projects from quilts to coats, buttonholes to zippers, heavy to fine fabrics. It can handle it all, quietly, powerfully, accurately! Oh yea, beautiful stitch quality!
Some are turned off by the lack of free arm but since I learned to sew on a flatbed Singer, it is no big deal! I love the Acufeed - even feed system. By comparison to Pfaff, it may not be so versatile because there are 5 Acufeed feet verses the multitude of feet that can be used on the Pfaff.
I know Acufeed has a larger upper feed foot which makes it very powerful. I have made several purses and totes with no issue and it is a dream for quilting, both free motion and straight line. The Acufeed feet are sold separately except the standard AF foot. It also has an open toe, edge joining foot or stitch-in-the-ditch, 1/4" and a ruffler.
Some say the Acufeed feet are too difficult to attach but I have discovered a very simply way to attach them in one motion without any fuss.
I have it in a Sew Perfect Table which I love too, they were meant to be together.

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Janome MC6600, HeartTruth 2008, MyLock 644 Serger, 1941 Singer 66-16 and 1950 221-1 Featherweight

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Date: 10/29/09 0:19 AM

I have the 6600 and a Pfaff 2056. The Janome has more power and does better on thicker materials. The Pfaff has slightly wider and very beautiful decorative stitches. Although there are times I'd like a free arm on the Janome, it really goes through the heavy stuff better.

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Date: 10/29/09 5:47 AM

I had the pfaff cv and do not miss the IDT. I have a babylock - you might consider that - it does beautifully on knits and I made a purse with it. I had a Janome also and they are good machines. I tried out the QE 2.0 and 4.0 and thought they are not made well and sound noisy.

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Reply to LethaG
Date: 10/29/09 8:27 AM

I have the 6600P and love it! Besides the accufeed feet, it can also take regular snap-on feet and comes with a wide variety of them. It is a powerful machine and stitches wonderfully. What I appreciate about it, is that it isn't overly computerized. The tension and foot pressure is determined by you, not the machine.

My suggestion is that you sit and sew on each machine you're interested in. Take fabric samples with you and a quilt sandwich if you plan on doing any quilting. Also, check reviews of each machine you are looking at to see what others are saying about them.

Happy shopping!

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Carol - * I always have more time to sew *
Singer Touch & Sew 600, Bernina 1008, Janome Platinum Jem 760, Babylock Ellageo, Viking Mega Quilter, Janome MC6600P, Babylock Evolve Serger, Janome FM 725

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Reply to LethaG
Date: 10/29/09 1:36 PM

Based on several test-drives of the expression line and on what I read and hear, you should go with the Janome. I wound up buying the Elna version (7300) of the Janome and have been very pleased though I will say I also sometimes miss having a free-arm.

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Date: 10/29/09 5:07 PM

Have you considered the Babylock Quest Plus? It has PDQ which is like Pfaff's IDF. Lots of good reviews on it.

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Melinda in Tulsa

Due to recent cutbacks, lights at the end of the tunnel have been turned off.

A gun in the hand is worth more than a cop on the phone.

Sometimes you have to do what you don't want to do to get what you want in the end

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Date: 10/29/09 6:47 PM

Thanks for everyone's opinions and suggestions...keep them coming! I will look in to the Babylock but not sure if there is an Elna dealer near me. There is a really nice "package" deal going right now with the 6600 that has me thinking of buying now instead of later.

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Reply to LethaG
Date: 10/29/09 8:12 PM

Letha, the two machines are very similar if you don't have an Elna dealer, get the good buy on the Janome but I do agree you might really like the Quest Plus too. It has a free-arm but no thread-cutter. I have enjoyed my machine much more since getting the table made for it. Is that a part of the package deal you may be getting?

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Reply to muffin1
Date: 10/29/09 8:24 PM

HI just read your review- have had a Janome 2010 for a couple of months - but want to get more into quilting- am debating about Babylock quest or Janome 6600 - the draw for the Babylock is the free arm, but the Janome has the scissors- or-----can I just get by with my 2010 - the main difference is the bed is 1 inch shorter- and of course, fewer stitches- all appear to have equal ability to do free motion -oh - and the store I purchased my 2010 at will give me a full trade -in on either of these machines- any suggestions???

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