Date: 11/19/08 11:05 AM

Our local Viking store is offering a Viking Emerald 116 (regular $419) for only $299, plus a carrying case. I had been looking at Janome's as I cannot spend more than $300-ish.

Would this Viking be a better deal than a Janome in the $250 range?

I mostly sew home decor items, but want to go back to some clothing items and perhaps patchwork for quilt or pillowcases.

thank you!

Reply to pesto
Date: 11/19/08 11:38 AM

I am in the UK so can't comment on prices over your way but I have an Emerald 122. I think it is a great machine.

I know that the 118 and 122 have the needle up down feature and the speed control which I think the 116 doesn't have. I went for the 122 as my dealer doesn't stock the 118 as they found the cost price to them is only £7 less than the 122. The 122 is the same as the 118 but has a few more stitches and extra feet. I use the speed control and the needle up down all the time and the machine is the one I take to class.

Not sure what prices the 118 and 122 go for your way but they would be worth a look at dependant on price.

Carrie

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My machines; Singer 201-3, Singer 185K, Bernina 135S, Emerald 122, Bernina 440QE.

Reply to pesto
Date: 11/19/08 12:18 PM

You should be able to find a Janome in your price range with a lot more features. Keep in mind that the Emerald line is also made by another company for Viking and is not the true Husqvarna Viking line. So for your money - you can get something in a true Janome and have lots more affordable and available accessories. Sears Kenmore machines are Janome's too and have loads of feet at good prices that also fit Janomes because they ARE Janome accessories.

Another idea is to see if the dealer has any Madison, Prelude, or Scandinavia 100s left and how they are priced. These are all mechanical machine made in Sweden by Viking and are really tough machines. They should fall into your price range.

Another idea is a previously owned machine at your dealers, with some sort of dealer warranty on it that cost a lot more new!

Happy shopping!

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"Begin each day as if it were on purpose."
--Mary Anne Radmacher

Date: 11/19/08 12:27 PM

I like the Emerald line of Vikings. If you go for the Emerald, I agree with the previous post for the same reasons that you might want to move up to the 118 or 122.

I prefer a Janome machine over a Kenmore even though Janome makes some Kenmores. I didn't like the feel of the knob and slide movements on the Kenmore mechanicals, although they may sew just fine. I looked at the 16231 (on sale for $225 right now) and a couple of other Kenmore mechanical machines cheaper than that. JMO

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Carol - * I always have more time to sew *
Babylock Ellageo, Viking Mega Quilter, Janome MC6600P, Babylock Evolve Serger, Janome FM 725

Reply to diningroomseamstress
Date: 11/19/08 12:54 PM

I too prefer Janome over Kenmore! BUT, I love that the Kenmore priced feet fit the Janomes! Makes it very handy. I can't complain about the Kenmores I have owned though.

I am sure the Emerald is a good machine. It is just that at their price point you can get more features out there. And they don't use Viking bobbins etc. Do they use Viking feet? I don't know that. I haven't seen an Emerald. My Viking dealer seems to have only Husqvarna Vikings and Janomes now.

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"Begin each day as if it were on purpose."
--Mary Anne Radmacher

Date: 11/19/08 2:16 PM

I bought an Emerald 118 ($299) because it takes exactly the same feet as my Designer II. It is my daughter's/back-up/take to class machine and I didn't want to buy all sorts of duplicate feet for it. I like the needle up/down on it, definitely. The speed control was important for DD as she learns.

Good luck with your decision.

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Kris

Date: 11/19/08 2:30 PM

I have the 116 and really like it. I don't have any experience with anything else though. My mom bought me an even simpler machine but when I actually started using it, it didn't do what I wanted as far as oomph went.

We traded up to the 116 and since I was a beginner it seemed like a good starting point for me. We bought it from the Viking dealer for $300 last December. I've been sewing on it pretty much non-stop now since and at this point it does everything I need it to do. Like I said though, I may not know what I don't know...

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Name changed from Kimmysue if you're wondering ;-)
http://kimsewsilly.blogspot.com/

Reply to Kim12469
Date: 11/19/08 3:54 PM

Sounds like a very good machine. Did you review it yet? It would really be great if you did! SOoo helpful to people to know about a machine! Please do!

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"Begin each day as if it were on purpose."
--Mary Anne Radmacher

Date: 11/27/08 11:06 AM

Thank you everyone for all of your help. I'm going to visit my local Janome dealer and see what they have.