Recent opinions on Janome 6600 vs Husq Sapphire 870 vs. Pfaff Quilt Expression 4

I've been wanting to upgrade for about 3 years and am ready to take the plunge. However, the more I research and try out, the more overwhelming I find the whole process.    Would you be willing to share your experiences with any of the models I've been looking at?

I love the stitch selection and free arm on the Husqvarna Sapphire 870, but when I saw the Janome 6600, it seemed so solidly built in comparison, yet lacking the free arm and some of the decorative stitch choices.  I also took a look at the new Pfaff Quilt Expression 4.0, but have not really been too impressed by it (not as intuitive as the Husqv, for example).

Thank you for sharing your expertise with me.

I purchased the Sapphire 870 on Friday after a similar stressful search.  I LOVE IT!  I kept thinking I "should" get a Bernina because I felt like "all quilters use Berninas".  I demoed the 440QE and just found it confusing and small after seeing the Sapphire 870.  I went back to the Viking dealer and fell immediately back in love with the 870.  It was intuitive, easy to program, well-lit and spacious.

I have been sewing non-stop since I brought it home Friday.  I haven't had one moment of regret and, man, that thing is AMAZING.  How much of my impression is just from upgrading from a basic machine to a computerized one?  Who knows.  What I know is that I am thrilled with my purchase.

I did Google searches to find bloggers who used each of the machines I was considering and I even emailed some of them asking specific questions about their satisfaction with the machines.  That was very helpful but in the end it came down to which one just felt right.

Feel free to email me with any questions.  Unfortunately I didn't consider the Janome or Pfaff so I'm not much help there.  Good luck with your search!

Chris in Georgia

Thank you, Chris, for your feedback.  I've come to the same conclusion you have:  I'll give myself this week to play to see which one feels right (am very encouraged to hear that you've been putting in a lot of sewing time on the Husqvarna Sapphire 870 without encountering any troubles).

Happy sewing.

My sister has the Quilt Expression and I have the Performance 2056 (also by Pfaff) and we both love them. You can't beat the IDT for quilting.... you really should take the time to get your hands on a Pfaff just for the IDT alone. It makes a huge difference for quilting. I know I'll never own anything but a Pfaff again. I also have quite a few extra feet I've purchased for some of the things I do like heirloom sewing and all the feet are fabulous, snap on easily, and work great. Also the absolute  most perfect buttonholes I've even seen made by a consumer level machine.

We've both had our machines for a few years now and we both do a ton of sewing... quilting and otherwise.

Big votes for Pfaff here.

Good luck and have fun!

~MG

I just received the Sapphire 870 and am SO excited!!! It was a gift from my husband and MIL on their own -- I didn't know it was coming, and didn't ask for that one in particular, so I've got a LOT of learning to do...and I'm so glad you guys are here singing it's praises before I even get it out of the box.
Happy Sewing!
~M

Quilter 131... please let us know which machine you bought! I want to get a new machine, and thought that the janome 6600 was 'the one'... then I read some neg. feedback on it. (having to do with tension and thread problems- don't know if it's true!) Want to try both the HV 870 and the Pfaff...will have to find a dealer near by. I have a older model Bernina and like it.. but want more throat space and other options. I just can't justify the price on those new Bernies! Good luck with your decision!

How far do you want to upgrade? Is budget a concern? What features do you have to have?

That being said I love both my Husqvarna Viking machines (so much that I wouldn't trade in the first one when I upgraded!)

I just purchased a Janome 6500 last night, I tried out a Hus 870 & 830 both are nice, however for me it came down to budget the 6500 was $900 less than the Hus. I m a new sewer/quilter hopefully everything will work out good.  I looked up reviews from consumer reports, which rated the Janome a wee bit higher than the Hus.  If anyone has any thoughts would love to hear them.

I bought the Sapphire 870 Quilt in April and I absolutely hate it.  It has great features, nice big sewing area, and a lot of great presser feet. However, I haven't been able to sew with it for more than about 2 hours since I've had it.  It's been in the shop 3 times now and they can't fix it.  The problem I have is with the tension - unless you just sew straight at the same speed on the same piece of fabric, then there isn't a problem.  If you slow down, or turn a corner, or sew over a seam, look out.  Bird nesting!  I have wanted a Viking all of my life and sold my Bernina to get it.  I've read other similar complaints about the machine. I haven't tried the Pfaff yet, but may do so soon.  The reason I didn't get another Bernina is because I don't like the front-loading bobbins and I needed a little bit bigger arm than mine had.  I don't know if the issue is because mine was made in China and the model at the store was made in Sweden, but the one at the store doesn't have the problems mine has. I understand Viking doesn't make them in Sweden any more, so I'm out of luck with trying to get one of those.  I don't know about the Janome, but I have a Janome 350E embroidery only machine and am very happy with it.

I ended up with the Husqvarna Viking Designer Topaz 30. If I hadn't been bit by the embroidery it would have been the Sapphire 870Q. It had every feature I wanted, the sewing space was great, it came down to adding the embroidery component for me.

I have the Janome 6600P. It came down to price and choice of dealer for me.  This machine has more decoratice stitches than I will ever use.  Dual feed is great for quilting, and I am now learning how to free motion quilt.  I  did have some tension issues in the begining but those were my fault (user lack of knowledge), and not a problem with the machine.  This machine does not have automatic tension like many machines on the market now.  You have to adjust it yourself depending on the fabric, needle, and thread you are using.  It's not hard, but it does take some getting used to if you're accustomed to a machine with auto tension (like I was).  Most of the time I don't have to move the dial, but occassionally I will tweak it a bit.  I have had mine a year and I love it.  Janome makes a solid, sturdy, high quality machine at an affordable price.