? buying Janome Jem

From what I remember, the difference between the Gold and the 760 is largely in the number of decorative stitches - 20 vs. 60 maybe? Be sure to check them against your requirements list. I have the 760 and love it for what it is. It is a bit noisy (compared to its big sister the

6600 which I REALLY love) but it stitches just as well and has never had a problem. Do take the time to try them out to see if you like the "feel".

Rita

I would go for the 760 if my other machine was a Featherweight.

The 760 allows you to move the needle position and adjust the stitch sizes. I don't think the gold does. Since you already have a basic machine with the featherweight, I'd want the extra options on the 760. Also, I don't think the gold has a blanket stitch.

Go to Janome.com and look under "quilting" you can see the features of both machines.

Both machines are good quality and should last you a very long time with a little cleaning and oiling when needed.

marcella

You didn't say whether you would be machine quilting on your back-up machine? Are you having the larger Pfaff repaired?

I have a Janome 6500, but decided it was too heavy to take to workshops etc, so I bought one of the more basic Janome machines as a back-up. It is full size, but not nearly so heavy. It 'does just what it says on the tin'!

I don't think I would have two very small machines, if I were you. I would not like to try to quilt on a Featherweight or a Jem. So, if you were planning to quilt on your larger machine, and it was not available for some reason, I think you would have to put off your quilting.

It truly does depend on what you want to use your new machine for. I wonder why the former owner upgraded? Could have been a bit small.

They are lovely little machines, all that being said - I very nearly got one myself! . In message , Army Wife writes

I love my Gem Gold. I also have a Janome Platinum 760. You might want to check that one out. I love both of them.

Sherry Starr

I am one who upgrade from the Gold to Platinum. I found the Gold very limited in both length and width of stitches. You have three settings and no variable. There are a lot more options on the Pltinum. If you have a Featherweight, I wouldn't do the Gold.

Love my Platinum.

Anna Belle in Palm Bay where we FINALLY had 3 1/2 inches of rain today. That leaves us only about 9 inches short.

Ok, I tried out the JG yesterday and for a little machine I thought the stitch was quite good and the noise level wasn't bad either. The saleslady said the machine has a quilting stitch which is 1.8, but on my Pfaff my stitch is set to 2.5. So what is the correct stitch? She said judges look at the 1.8 in competitions. I did practice on a quilt sandwich I brought with me and it fed through nicely even without the clunky walking foot.

Janome no longer makes the 720.

There was not a demo model for the 760, but she will have one in the store after Mem. Day that I can try out. I think I will lean toward the 760 since it has more options without being overboard and would better suit my needs in the long run.

Marcella: The Gem does not have a blanket stitch and I need that for my applique which is another plus in the 760 column.

Patti: I don't quilt on my featherweight; only piecing so far. I inherited the FW when my Mom bought a fancier Singer years ago. I was

20-something when I got the FW and didn't know the value of it until I started quilting 20 years later. thank goodness it escaped the many yard sales I had.

Yes, the big Pfaff is in the shop. I've learned that the computer screen is just too delicate to take to classes.

On Mon, 18 May 2009 12:25:51 -0500, Army Wife wrote (in article ):

Can't comment on the Jem Gold, but I love my 760. One thing, if you plan to quilt anything on it (and I have successfully quilted small things on my Jem) make sure its the model where the feed dogs drop.

Maureen