I have had the Janome 6500 for 8 years and have had no problems with the machine. I love the way it sews. It is very user friendly.
I hope you find the machine that will be your perfect fit.

I am a Janome person. I like the way they stitch and I find them very user friendly. I think Lorchen's advice is the way to go as it is a very individual decision as to which machine you prefer. I think all the machines you are looking at would be satisfactory so it is just which one you like the best.

Mirielle, do yourself a favour and put together several identical small projects - placemats come to mind (and take your own thread). Then arrange to try out each of the machines that you have mentioned at a dealer's. This will not only give you an idea about the machines, but you'll also find out how they treat their customers. That 'after sales service' is very important. Finding the perfect sewing machine is almost as difficult as finding the perfect husband (I'm still looking ). We all do things slightly different, and so will not necessarily go for the same machine. Make a list of 'Must Have' features, and don't forget to 'haggle'. You may not get the price for the machine reduced, but the dealer could throw in some very expensive 'optional extras'. The extras (all used by me) that the dealer was prepared to add for free was almost 20% of the price of the machine when I bought my latest baby. I must admit though that I also played two dealers against eachother (in the nicest way possible). Good luck!

Hi Mireille, I have a Janome 6600 which is the model just below the new 7700. It has a big harp space so you can more easily quilt your quilts(not as big as the 7700), and a dual feed that acts like the "walking foot" that other machines can use. It is much less expensive than the 7700 too. I really like my Janome, it sews beautifully and is very sturdy and reliable. It does come with a plastic extension table, although I have mine in a sewing cabinet. I don't know enough about the other machines to be able to tell you anything useful. Is there any way you can try out some of these machines? The final decision has to be how comfortable you are with the machine.

There is a Janome user group on Yahoo called Janome 6500, which has been very helpful to me with my machine. You can join even if you don't have the machine, just are thinking about it! It includes the 6500, 6600, and 7700. Good luck, let us know!
Kathy

Mirielle,
I'm sorry, I don't have any advise for you but I'm very interested in what others will say.

I want to buy a new sewing machine to quilt and to patchwork.
For the moment I have a basic Singer machine. I am not a specialist so I have to learn a lot.
I already called much dealers and searched lot on the internet.
The machines I found are:
Quilt expression 4.0 of Pfaff, Janome 7700, Brother NX2000.
Who can help me to choose, it is so dificult. First I had also the Bernina 440 in it but it is more
in price and one of the dealers told me that the space between the needle and surface is smaller than
the other machines. also is the table a supplement on the Pfaff and the Bernine while Janome and
Brother gave it in their price.
Help me please.
Thank you in advance.

Kind regards,
Mireille from Belgium