Users of janome 15000 and Bernina 880 do give your comments....it would help me zoom in.

Congratulations and thanks for letting us know what you have bought. I hope you have many happy hours sewing on your new baby. Now we look forwards to seeing in projects what you create

Got the Janome 15000....main reason was I have a dealer very very close by. It's an awesome machine. Very quiet too, compared to my Viking Ruby.
Thank you dear friends for all the input.

So excited for you. A New machine!!! Best of luck in finding your perfect machine. Like most have said, It is best to try out each machine and decide which fits your needs. A large hoop is very desirable also. When I bought my last machine, I also took into consideration which dealer provided the most education on how to use the machine and also which had the better repair department. The dealer that I went with offered 8 hours of education on the machine compared to 3 hours from the other dealer! Good Luck. Debbie

I too have been researching TOL machines. I only have Bernina and Brother dealers within driving distance of me so that is all I can compare. They are over an hour away. I visited the dealerships again today and spoke with their technicians. The Bernina 880 machine sounded about like my Viking SE. It had some new features and a larger hoop but nothing that really brought out a WOW I need that machine. It also appeared to be not user friendly and the Tech even stated that unless you did really well with computers you would find a tough learning curve to the machines software. Just seemed like a lot of screen to get where you needed to be but It may have been just how he chose to demonstrate the machine. The tech was very nice in describing his machines and all it had to offer but unfortunately decided to be quite critical of the other machine brands including Brother, Janome and Viking. This upset me as, after all my research, I feel they are all quite sophisticated and similarly built today. This machine had great stitch quality and embroidery quality. I then went to the Brother dealer and test drove the Dream Machine 2. This machine was extremely quiet. Quieter than the Bernina. The WOW factor was definitely there. The camera, scanner, built in stippling, the included designs, the included larger hoops, the included feet--The package was unbelievable it had so much in it. I spoke with the tech who was extremely nice. When I asked about repair history of Brother compared to other brands He did not criticize any particular brand but did state that the low end of all machine brands tend to be noisy and need repairs including the Brother machines sold at Walmart, Target, Sears, K-Mart etc. I appreciated and respected his honesty. Needless to say, I ordered the Dream Machine 2 and am very excited. There are many you-tube videos of this machine and the incredible things it is capable of. The Baby Lock Destiny 2 is the same machine but is loaded with Nancy Zieman designs (I think) instead of Disney designs. If you have a Brother Dealer within driving distance check out the Dream Machine2. In my opinion it is a fabulous machine and the right one for me! Please let us know your decision. Hugs, Barba

5 comments

by sewist1 05 May 2017

Barba, you will love it. I have the Dream Machine upgraded to the Dream Machine 2. It is the quietest of my machines and doesn't sound like a tractor as someone stated about Brother machines. I also don't like the dealers who criticise other brands and other dealers.Enjoy.

by barba 05 May 2017

I am super excited! I am thinking up projects already. Thank you with hugs. Barba

by pennyhal2 05 May 2017

I'm so excited for you! I'm looking forward to seeing the projects you create!

by barba 05 May 2017

Thank you for enjoying this with me. It is ordered ad should arrive around the 19th. I am on pins and needles with anticipation. My 4 yr old Grandson went with me to see the machines and is super excited for Grandma. It has lightening McQueen design on it from the cars movies. So very excited. Hugs, Barba

by mi30kaja 09 May 2017

A while ago I said that one of my Brother Machines sounded like a Tractor. The only reason that it sounds like this is Because a JANOME guy said "YES" I can fix your Brother Machine and this is the way it came back . It sounds like a tractor and will not sew Polyester. I gave up and bought another Machine which is a "BROTHER". I will eventually send the tractor away to a Brother Tech guy as there are none close to me. I have 3 Brother machines and love them. Bought the new one as it has a Larger Hoop.

Be sure to let us know your decision. Hugs. Nan W

I have a Janome 1500 & find it easy to use. I previously had a Bernina180 (which also originally had bobbin issues) & think that Bernina probably sews a nicer stitch but found out that I Iwould not be abto to use all the feet & accessories on an updated model. Viv

I took a class on the 880 before I decided on which machine to buy. There were people in the class with 580 and 790 machines too. I know a lot of people in the class had a lot of trouble with all the screens you had to go through and found them very confusing. Apparently, they found the machines to be pretty sensitive. Some people loved loved their machine. I bought the 580, but exchanged it in for a Babylock after 5 months. For me, I'd die before I figured out how to take advantage of all those features...like painting on dishes. Nor am I interested in all things it can do. Besides, I have a rule that I don't buy sewing machines or dogs that I can't pick up.

For me, I think the Bernina has the better stitch and would do better on fabrics like leather or other difficult things. There seems to be a steep learning curve. Before buying one, I'd do a stitchout by Yourself without someone standing there telling you want to do. Don't be seduced by al the bells and whistles.

On the other hand, the Babylock has great stitch too, and was waaaay easier for me to figure out what to do to make it go. It has more features than I'll ever use. Depending on the model you buy will determine the size of the hoops you get.I love it!! So, I'd find out what the store policy is on exchages/returns.

My advice is to sit down and test drive both of these (if they are your only choices) and decide from your own experience. All of the top brands have pluses and minuses and only you can decide which features are what you are looking for. Also, buy a machine with the largest hoop size you can afford because I guarantee that you will wish you had later on! Good luck with your decision. Hugs. Nan W

1 comment

by goddess 30 Apr 2017

I totally agree! I currently have the Janome 15000 and previously had a Pfaff, and there are pros and cons for each. The suggestion about getting the largest hoop size you can afford is SO true! That was the main reason I switched machines. Good luck and happy shopping!

SO excited for you too - Congrats!
I have a Bernina 830 and am extremely happy with my machine - sewing & embroidery! I especially love the fact that it has the facility to sew in a full 360 degree (one degree increments) directional sewing of ALL decorative stitches! It truly is an amazing machine & I just LOVE it!

6 comments

by tinfriend 29 Apr 2017

I must add that I also have a Bernina Aurora 440QE sewing machine & a Deco 340 embroidery machine that I take to class as I don't like to move my 830 around because of the size!

by tinfriend 29 Apr 2017

I PERSONALLY would never buy a Brother machine as the ones I have seen (& 'heard') in class/workshops have always sounded like a tractor to me (hard) plus the embroidery hoop area is larger when compared in our Latte class for a fellow student that has a Brother embroidery machine and said that she had the largest hoop! Unless of course a newer edition machine has been released in the last month!
All the best with making your choice!
HUGS

by tinfriend 29 Apr 2017

I mean the Bernina embroidery hoop area is larger that the Brother hoop! :-)

by sewist1 30 Apr 2017

A bit rich to generalize about a brand because you have heard noisy machines. It could be said of all brands especially if they have not been looked after by the owners. There have been problems with Bernina machines belonging to friends of mine as well. I have four different brands and have never had one that sounds like a tractor.

by tinfriend 30 Apr 2017

for your info sewist1, my son was a sewing machine technician and he had the SAME opinion with regard to Brother machines! I was ONLY stating what I had experienced PLUS I may add that the ONE of the ladies in our Latte emb class has since sold her Brother machine and bought a Bernina combo machine!

by sewist1 01 May 2017

Well tinfriend I have seen the opposite happen. I have seen the latest Bernina TOL and the Viking Epic traded for Brother machines at one of the biggest dealers in Australia. There can be problems with any machine just like there are with cars but it is not right to slam the whole brand because of the ones which have problems. As I said I have never had problems with any of the brands which have been mentioned in this thread. I would never try and put anyone off about any of them either. It is best for anyone who is contemplating buying to go and try out as many machines as possible.

I have just brought the Bernina 790 it is wonderful machine , very easy to use , I also have an 830 but I mainly use that for embroidery , love both of them .Cathy

1 comment

by katydid 04 May 2017

I have always been a Bernina girl!

Lucky you! I know of some that have had problems with both of these machines...personally, I think you should look at the Brother Dream Machine or the BabyLock Destiny 2...they would be my choice over Janome and Bernina...

I have a Bernina 880 I had a lot of troubles with the bobbin case and it has been back 3 times. When it is working it is a dream machine with so many possibilities. I am not sure if I just had a dodgy one to start with but they seem to have managed to repair it. It is reasonably fast, very accurate and the screen is clear. I don't know what machine you are using at the moment but make sure you get good instructions and a dealer that is wiling to help you. I have 2 days of tuition in July, this came free with the machine and I hope to pick up some more ideas.

1 comment

by katydid 04 May 2017

Yes, I am a Bernina girl.

Can't help with those two machines, I just wanted to say what a lucky gal you are!

Thanks for reposting and I look forwards to seeing the replies