You’ll never guess…

Janome Horizon 7700 QCP

or I could have titled this post “It’s about time” because…   I bought a new sewing machine!!!  It is kind of ironic that just a few days after I participated in Shruti‘s blog hop, Know Thy Machine, about my trusty Kenmore, I finally replaced it 🙂

It really was time.  I don’t have a bad word to say about my old Kenmore, but, there are just things a 30 year old 8 stitch machine can’t do that I need to be able to do.  I sewed on my Mom’s machine before I received the Kenmore as a wedding gift so, in my entire LONG sewing life, I have never bought a machine.

I had done a fair bit of online research and decided that what I really wanted was the 7700.  However, I was kind of ready to get the 6600 instead and save some money.  My local Janome dealer didn’t have the 6600 set up and explained all the differences between the two – some of which were important to me.  In the end, I took a deep breath, and said “I’ll take it!”

It took me a few minutes to utter those few words because, honestly, it is a lot of money.  But, if not now, when?  What was the point in waiting?  After all, I do sew kind of a lot.  So here I am, proud owner of a fantastic new 7700 🙂

I can’t tell you how much I love all 11″ of the throat space and all the “new to me” things like needle down, a walking foot, a quilting guide (OK, my old machine had one of these, but it didn’t work), a needle threader and thread cutter.  These last two weren’t even on my wish list, but I’m surprised by how much I like having them.

The one feature that appealed to me but I haven’t used much is the knee lift.  I love the idea, but the position of it doesn’t seem to work well with how I sit at the machine.  The bar is too far over to the right – maybe I’m just too short.

I can’t wait to try some free motion quilting.  Learning how to FMQ was a big reason for getting a new machine.  I love my straight line quilting, but, sometimes, the quilt needs something else.  I’m sure my first few attempts will be awful, but I’ll get there.  Tomorrow I’ll be using the satin stitch for the first time as I work on an applique table runner for the next installment of the Holiday Craft Bash.

BTW, we are taking this week off from the Holiday Craft Bash – the final installment (Table Runners or Placemats) will begin next week.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends!

17 Comments
  • Hollie
    Posted at 23:37h, 30 November Reply

    I am so jealous! When I bought my 6600 in March what I really wanted was the 7700. Don't get me wrong, I don't regret buying the 6600 one bit (my husband put his foot down when he heard the price of the 7700) but I really wanted the 7700. Enjoy it my friend! You deserve it. (And I agree with you on the positioning of the knee lift. I do occasionally use it but I often forget because it's a little awkward.)

  • Maureen Cracknell Handmade
    Posted at 20:45h, 27 November Reply

    Congrats on your new, beautiful machine!! I love my Janome!!

  • Dana
    Posted at 06:04h, 27 November Reply

    oh bravo! And congratulations!! I really need a new machine and I am trying to figure out which one, how much to spend, etc…there seem to be so many, and it's hard to find time to drive around and investigate them all! Did you do most of your research on-line?
    I hope you have many happy years together!!

  • cinzia
    Posted at 00:09h, 27 November Reply

    Yeah for you! I had to take that deep breath recently too when I bought my machine (Pfaff QE 4.0). I don't ever buy any big ticket items just for me. But it was worth it. Love all the same things you love, and I've gotten used to the knee lift.
    Have fun!

  • Cheryl Arkison
    Posted at 15:17h, 24 November Reply

    Woohoo!
    It's been over 7 years since I got my new machine and it literally changed my quilting life.

  • MariQuilts
    Posted at 20:11h, 22 November Reply

    Happy days….have fun!!!!

  • Hitch and Thread
    Posted at 09:49h, 22 November Reply

    A big congrats on the new machine! Knee lifts never seem to be in the right place, on any machine. I use mine with my hand, works well and then I don't dislocate my hip trying to reach it!

  • YC
    Posted at 20:59h, 21 November Reply

    Yay, how fun!! FMQ is going to be great. 🙂 I've yet to try the knee lift. Just doesn't seem to be in the right place…

  • two hippos
    Posted at 16:54h, 21 November Reply

    Congratulations Debbie! What a wonderful treat and tool!

  • Lucinda Miller
    Posted at 14:18h, 21 November Reply

    Hi Debbie – let me try again. How fun you finally got your new machine. I have the Janome 6600 – which I bought used so it only cost half a fortune! Enjoy yourself. Happy Thanksgiving,
    Lucinda

  • Patti
    Posted at 13:55h, 21 November Reply

    I have this machine too, and completely love it! Except for the darn knee lift…I finally gave up and took it off.

  • Marg
    Posted at 07:50h, 21 November Reply

    I agree the bar is too far over to the right., but it is a great machine. Congratulations, you'll love it!

  • Charlotte
    Posted at 07:15h, 21 November Reply

    ooooh!!!!! How exciting!! I "owned" one of those for about three hours once, and then chickened out and cancelled my order. One day 🙁

  • Josée Carrier
    Posted at 03:19h, 21 November Reply

    Congratulations Debbie! I have the 6500 which I'm really happy with. But, I saw the 7700 when it was coming out and I was quite impress by it. Particularly by the lighting. It seems I never have enough lighting, particularly when FMQ. Same thing for me with the knee lift. You need to reach so far on the right, it's really unnatural. Good sewing!

  • Mama Pea
    Posted at 02:49h, 21 November Reply

    Congrats! I love that machine. I have the 6500. (before the 6600 and 7700 were out) Also a lot of money, so I know what you mean. But you won't regret it. I've had mine for 10 years, and I still love it today as much as I did when I bought it. I love my needle threader and thread cutter. 🙂 I love the deep throat. And I LOVE my knee lifter. Once you get used to it, you will want to use it all the time. My legs must be fatter than yours, because my leg reaches it with no problem. haha! I have heard some people put a bit of a pool noodle on the end of the knee lifter to make it wider for you. Maybe that would help.

  • Monet
    Posted at 01:56h, 21 November Reply

    The bar IS too far over to the right! I use it whenever I'm thinking about it because it seems like a nice feature and I want to get my money's worth, but it drives me a little crazy!

  • Lee
    Posted at 01:01h, 21 November Reply

    Congrats! I think you will find this machine is worth every penny. : ) It's funny, my justification was pretty much the same as yours: "Well, it's not like I don't USE it!" LOL.

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