Can someone please tell me the difference between the Janome 300E and the 350E. I have been told if I really enjoy embroidery but cannot afford the 11000 get the 350E as an upgrade from my 300E.

I have a 300E and a friend has a 350E and there is very little difference aprt from bobbin sensor and USB stick. My dealer told me not to upgrade just for those features

Those are all great answers and I would like to add a suggestion. Go to Janome.com and there is a link on their site that is: "Help me Find A Machine". I would look at the web site carefully, then go find a dealer to let me test drive. My dealer even let me bring in a project that I wanted to work on and sew it out so I could see for myself if it was doing what I wanted.

Cutiepie & ruthie are right on. I have the 300E also, got it on sale when the 350E was coming out. The only thing I hunger for is that low bobbin sensor. I got Digitizer Pro when I got my machine, that was the best $ DH ever spent! I can't emphasize enough the value of a good dealer. Mine is phenomenal, even stayed over to fix my machine yesterday (when it wasn't even broken, I just put the bobbin case in wrong) because I was in the middle of a project. Test drive machines, then wait a few days before buying to get over being impressed and decide what you'll really use. My dealer sells Janome & Bernina, I can get you brochures if you like. Merry Christmas!

Libster I have a Janome 350E and I'm very pleased with it, but I've never owned a 300E. Now the way I understand it the 350E is basically the same as the 300E, but, with some beneficial mods i.e. apparently the 350E is quieter and smoother, something to do with improved bearings. Brighter & more features for LCD. Takes flash drive for designs (so easy), but still takes cards. Rotates designs in 1 deg increments. Auto or manual thread cutter. Low bobbin sensor. Takes .jef files (can't remember if the 300E takes .jef or .sew). And a few other new improvements that I've forgotten. Now as to whether you should upgrade, I would suggest that you google the 350E and find out all you can, then visit your Janome dealer and have a good 'play' on a 350E. Hope all this helps you, and all the best with whatever you decide to do. Enjoy Christmas.

I really wish I knew. I have never worked with the Janome machines, so all I can suggest is that you either go to your local dealer or go to the Janome website and do a bit of research. Before you actually upgrade, make a list of things that you are sure that you want in your new machine. Do you want/need a certain hoop size? Does it matter to you if it is just an embroidery machine, meaning do you want to be able to do "regular" sewing on it as well, or will it be only for embroidery? Does your dealer offer support? Where would you have to take/send it for repairs (it is best if they will repair/tune up right in the store)? Can you take a class to learn all the "bells and whistles" so you can get the most out of your purchase? How reliable is the machine really? What kind of warranty is offered and what are the exclusions/exceptions to that warranty? (For instance, does the machine have an internal stitch counter that will invalidate the warranty if you have sewn too much in a certain amount of time?) Good luck with your upgrade plans!

1 comment

by libster2896 29 Dec 2007

Thanks everyone, think I'll stick with my baby for now. But your advise has been taken on board and I might just have a play around with some others anyway, it could be a goal for later on saving up the pennies to see exactly what is out there. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and have a great New Year.