Howdy AlohaSandy, this is horselover, but I guess I should put my name, Teresa, I responded to being friends and I hope I did it right--I'm still learning my way around this site--I have the Janome DC 5100. I love it--- its not the first Janome I've had, I bought the MC8000(I think that was the number) in 1991, and used it up until a few months ago..I passed it along to a friend of mine that is into all the memory cards and all the things this machine had..I'm not utilizing the features on it like I used to and wanted something simple(think that comes with age)--not that the Memory Craft was complicated--very easy!! I decided on the DC5100 after going to the Janome website and reading and comparing the different machines to see which fit my needs and this was the one.

I know you said that you found one on sale and thats good but I would advise you because this is what I would call a big purchase item at a store that is a Janome authorized dealer....they will be trained to show you how to use all the features and be able to service the machine if need be....and the reason----I had two things that happened to my machine after I had sewed on it for a few days---that was really no fault of the machine but had I bought it somewhere that wasn't local and you had to ship it off to be fixed you would be without the machine and all the shipping would most likely not be too good...I saw where Genny said they were user friendly ---she is so right! And absolutely they are hard working machines---I bought mine at a quilt shop in Waco, Texas--closest place for me to go.....this quilt shop is owned by husband and wife and before they could be a Janome dealer they had to go to training about the machines and the husband was trained on how to fix a problem--if there were any other than bringing it in each year to do a complete cleaning and oil it if it needed.

Boy, that was an awful lot to tell you that I will always buy Janome sewing machines---after I got my machine I started doing research on the "hem stitcher" Janome has--and bought one from the same place---and I love it!! My next purchase will be the Janome serger--I have a Brother and it has served me well but it isn't as heavy duty as the Janome....Well, I hope this helped you in your decision...sorry I'm go long winded...are you as addicted to MSQC as I am---every morning I look to see whats the "Daily Deal" I could order one or two or even three of every pre-cut they have in stock!! Thank you for wanting to be friends and hope your family had a blessed Christmas and that the New Year is full of wonderful surprises!

Happy Trails! Teresa(horselover@hughes.net)