I can't say enough about Janome... but having a wonderful dealer here is a plus... questions answered when needed... NO service needed on a little Janome Jem i bought 8 years ago.. no UP DOWN... the the thing weighs 12 lbs. and is a workhorse... The ONE thing i will say is GET A WALKING FOOT... I sewed mostly clothing for years.. then got into quilting and used to laugh at my friends saying... You don't need to spend that money"... well, i got a universal foot at Clotilde.. you can get other places, or get the one made for your machine... WHAT A DIFFERENCE... it's the "feed of the fabric"... just give it a shot... you'll see the difference...
Now as extra info.... i bought a Singer Commercial Grade machine (i like to sew fast in long strips..... not quiet, but this thing sews thru anything.. wonderful even stitching..basic... and "drummroll please"... delivered for 189.00!!!(i bought on ebay for the lower cost, but there's a video at this link, to show you this thing in action) here's the link below...
i have 7 machines... my old Elna is "down", i broke a needle and it jammed and the timing is off, in the bobbin, so that's gonna take some time,,, so i bought this Singer... check it out...sorry to babble, but this machine is amazing for the money...http://www.sewinginusa.com/products....id=2574&gcat=1