GregB

I notice no one said anything about service - warranty. Any quilt shows in your area to try out different machines in the vendor area. I have both a Baby lock and a Janome. For FMQ I like the Janome. The other thing you could do is ask the service techs which machine comes in more often for service. Also take different thread with you and see how the machines handle the thread you prefer to use.

northerncreations

I have two Janome sewing machines that I absolutely love. I have a Memory Craft that transports easily and an S7 that stays home. Love them both. Would recommend Janome but also that you take fabric and try both machines before you make up your mind. Good luck.

rjwilder

I have the Allegro and absolutely love it. It is so easy to operate and change the foot position. The 12" throat is amazing, makes it so much easier to quilt larger quilts. I read the manual first then went back and started playing with it and made a cheat sheet on how to change all the settings. Saves time instead of looking through the manual all the time.

Three Dog Night

Yesterday I took my Pfaff Performance 5.0 in for maintance/cleaning and was looking around shop at machines as I have given thought to purchasing a new machine. I was talking to sales person about different machines and saw the Allegro and sat down to play with it. It was set to FMQ and it sewed great with no problems and then we tried to change it to regular sewing and could not get the feed dogs to come back up. We tried the lever in back several times, read the manual on feed dogs and trouble shooting and they would not lift up. She even called the store manager over and he tried a couple of times and just wasn't happening. So don't think the Allegro is on my list anymore. Did look at the Baby Lock Soprano which I liked but had to go before I looked at Janome machines so will look at when I go back to pick up my machine.