Date: 11/2/09 9:48 AM

Please help me with pro's and con's on these machines. I'm really looking for a machine to do embroidery primarily (why the 350E is in the line up) as I already have a good sewing machine. I found a dealer who has the 350E for $1399, but for the low $2000 I can get a used (but upgraded) Ellegante 1 or used (but upgraded) Innovis 4000D (for a bit more).

Now I know that the Ellegante and Innovis are the same machine except for the Disney aspect. I want the machine primarily to embroider for my little girl, so the Disney, Nickelodean, etc. designs do come in to play. The Ellegante was able to read the Nickelodean cards, but not the Disney of course. I also like the new continous border hoop capability. I keep envisioning all these little girl dresses with embroidery around the tail. But considering you still have to rehoop to continue the border, I'm not sure how much easier this new hoop is versus just rehooping in general.

If I go with the Janome, I would have to invest in converter software and a reader/writer (which I found a good economical set-up solution in a thread from Lunar_C ... THANKS!). I would also have the embroider field limitation versus the larger machines.

Well ... any comments are appreciated to help me muddle through this decision

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Machine Stable: Bernina 165, Elna Lotus TSP, Babylock Imagine, Babylock Coverstitch and my newest baby Janome 350E

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Date: 11/2/09 10:06 AM

Kisha, you will NOT need a converter/Magic Box and special software to use the Janome 350e. It does have a card slot, so that you could use cards if you wanted to, but it also has a USB port which (IMHO) is one of its best selling points.

No software needed: just download an embroidery design in JEF format via the internet, save it on your computer. Plug the USB flash drive into the computer, and copy the file onto the flash drive. Then walk over to your machine, stick the USB flash drive into the Janome, and presto! You're off to the races.

Not sure what is the largest hoop size on the Ellegante or the Innovis, but don't sell the 5x7 hoop on the Janome short. Rarely do I feel the need to embroider anything larger than that!

For about $125 you could purchase the Embird software, and "split" any really large design your heart is set on, and use the Gigahoop to stitch it out on the Janome.

Can you tell I really, really like me Janome? That little machine has been a complete workhorse for me, never a moment's trouble. Simple to use, too. I never needed a lesson from the dealer, it was intuitive.

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Reply to LouisaP
Date: 11/2/09 10:18 AM

Thank you ... I do agree that the USB is a good selling point for the 350E.

I should have clarified though that based on my research/understanding (which may need to be expanded ... so anyone ... PLEASE CORRECT ME if needed) I would need to buy some type of converter software (e.g. embird) and box (just a reader/writer, from Lunar_C ... you can get a generic from the computer store for less than $30) to be able to use the "legal" Nickelodean (e.g. Dora the Explorer) or Sesame Street (e.g. Elmo) cards. Without a Brother machine with D, I wouldn't be able to use any of the "Disney" cards.

I know from trying out in the store, that the Babylock will read the Nickelodean and Brother non-D cards straight from the machine.
-- Edited on 11/2/09 10:19 AM --
-- Edited on 11/2/09 10:21 AM --

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Machine Stable: Bernina 165, Elna Lotus TSP, Babylock Imagine, Babylock Coverstitch and my newest baby Janome 350E

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Date: 11/2/09 10:23 AM

All the things Louisa said plus you can buy it new. Not that people don't have good luck with refurbished machines however you really don't know how it's been used and how much and you have no warranty. If you have to replace a board or a screen it can get quite expensive. I have the Janome 10001 and I believe they are covered up to 5 years on those 2 things. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. You will find also you probably won't do many designs bigger then 5 x 7. As for disney how important is it? There are thousands of designs out there. Also there are other cartoon characters available that one with any machine could buy. Maybe after it's contract with Brother is up they will see the light and make them available for all machines. All that money they could have made. So I vote Janome also.

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Reply to Kisha
Date: 11/2/09 10:24 AM

Hi Kisha,

I have the 4000D and I still love it!

Once you get used to using the border hoop those borders are a snap. The machine has the capability of leaving a registration mark at any connection point that you choose. For the second hooping you just pop the hinges on the hoop, move the fabric forward, close the hinges and use the reistration mark to position the needle. You only need a line down the center of your fabric. It's SWEET!!!!

Other features I love: 7 3/4" by 11" hoop size plus 5X7, 4X4 and 1 1/2X2.......The 6 1/2 X 10 hoop is available as an add on.

Low bobbin audible beep.

The onscreen editing is so easy to see because the screen is so big and in color which I like. Icons are intuitive, and most of the owners manual is built in the machine.

Takes a USB stick! This makes transfering designs quick and easy. There are also some models of external CD drives that will plug into the USB on the machine so you can get the design direct from the CD!!! It also connects to the computer.

If the 4000 is upgraded to 4.0 for the border hoop you will also have several quilting feet that came with the 3.0 update as well as a pivot feature (I Love this one for garment sewing) set the pivot, lift your foot off the pedal, needle goes down, presser foot comes up, pivot fabric......to begin, step on foot control, foot goes down and machine sews! Great for going around corners. Auto height adjustment, a sensor that detects the thickness (like over jean seams) and compensates automatically.

I could go on forever.......I sound like an infomercial but I really love this machine. I have a total of 17 machines in my home(some vintage collectables). I adore technology and sewing so I'm in love right now:-) Some of them will get traded in on others and some never leave. This one will never leave.............

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sew obsessed: the first, the original, not to be confused with.................the other one.

WANTED: Fabulous shoes to share wild nights with...

At what point does a sewing machine collection become an obsession?

"No one could make a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little."
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."
Edmund Burke

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Reply to LouisaP
Date: 11/2/09 10:31 AM

Kisha,

Cards made specifically for other machines I don't think they can be copied. Some have said yes but I don't think so, maybe some but due to copyright issues I don't think so. Now I know some of that stuff has been licensed and put out on disks which you could use and don't need special software copy and paste into you flash card if using a Janome machine. Look here:

Dakota

Didn't say they were cheap though. They change them they 've had Bugs Bunny and Beatrix Potter in the past. Some of which you may find on ebay.
-- Edited on 11/2/09 10:35 AM --

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Reply to Sewwolf
Date: 11/2/09 10:40 PM

For what it's worth, I have the 350e and love it. It's really easy to use and stitches designs out beautifully.

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dawn
www.twoontwooff.blogspot.com

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Reply to Sewwolf
Date: 11/3/09 10:09 AM

Thanks everyone ... I'm going to go with the 350E. The dealer let me take it home for a 2 week free trial . I took it out of the box last night and set it up. Just used stabilizer and muslin to stitch out a couple of designs. It does so well.

Question ... I read on the Janome website that with the Digiziter Jr or Pro software you can tell it to auto cut the jump threads. Anyone tried this yet?

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Machine Stable: Bernina 165, Elna Lotus TSP, Babylock Imagine, Babylock Coverstitch and my newest baby Janome 350E

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Reply to Sewwolf
Date: 11/3/09 10:11 AM

Forgot to add ... I can get the Digitizer Jr from my dealer for $200, so if this gives me autocut plus basic software capability, it's worth it to me.

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Machine Stable: Bernina 165, Elna Lotus TSP, Babylock Imagine, Babylock Coverstitch and my newest baby Janome 350E

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Reply to Kisha
Date: 11/3/09 4:12 PM

Kisha you won't regret it. Janome makes a wonderful product. Now you have to go here and get addicted to Embroidery designs

Embroidery Library

They have weekly sales, Christmas club, birthday club and great customer service. There are other nice ones out there but this site is a favorite of many. Isn't it girls.......................................

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