Babylock Crescendo vs Janome Memorycraft 9400

[Anne B.]

Starting to compare machines and wondering if anyone has any experience on both of these two machines? I'm mainly a quilter, (piecing, mostly, but also want to quilt smaller pieces) but would love to also expand my sewing capabilities. I'm specifically looking for questions of reliability long-term, as well as problems people have had with these models.

[Kathryn S.]

Well, I just traded in my Janome 9400 on a Babylock Crescendo. Almost everything about the Janome was wonderful- except for the noisiness of it. Every time I started sewing, or raised or lowered the presser foot manually, or every 5th time I stopped, a servo motor would adjust. One day when I was sewing some short seams, I realized that it was bothering me a lot!. So I tried out different machines, and liked the quiet of the Crescendo. I've only had it for a week, but I can say it is a terrific machine, sews beautifully. I can't speak to the longevity of the machines; I've had Janomes for a long time, still have my 6600 which is as sturdy as you can get. Every review I have read about the Babylock is positive; the model has been out for at least 3 years. Probably the deciding factor would be how you like sewing on them. The Janome has a special needle plate with a great 1/4 inch foot which I was reluctant to give up, but the Babylock seems to sew a good 1/4 inch seam too. Good luck on your decision, Kathy

[Dawn S.]

Kathy, that is interesting that you mentioned the noises that the Janome machine made. That really did bother me when I first bought my Brother Dream Machine, as I sometimes manually raise and lower the pressure foot with every stitch, as I stitch around a curve. There is a little flapper cover that opens and shuts with every foot up/foot down movement. I'm used to it now, kind of like getting used to living near train tracks, or an airport. I'm kind of surprised the engineers didn't realized these continual noises could really bother some sewists/quilters. But, I would not dream of trading it in on another machine. It just has way too many cool features!!!!

Dawn

[Kathryn S.]

Dawn, mine does that too.... at least it's a mechanical sound and not a servo motor whirring. I like sewing on the Crescendo very much, I guess Babylock and Brother are sister machines, right??

Kathy

[Kathryn S.]

Can anyone speak specifically to the FMQ quality on these machines?

[Janet S.]

I have been FM quilting on my Babylock Aria, which is basically the same machine as the Crescendo without a few bells and whistles. On the last quilt I quilted, I was using my Janome 8900, and between the 2 machines, the Babylock seems better to me. It goes over thick seams easier and seems to have fewer tension issues. I AM using the convertible free motion foot from my Janome on the Babylock. You have to make a few needle adjustments to the right, but it works great. I have to say, I have been wanting to try FM quilting on the Janome 9400 to see the difference between it and the 8900, but I haven't had time to do that yet. And I have heard that the 9400 does not come with the convertible FM foot. I don't know if the one for the 8900 would fit it, but if it didn't, I wouldn't be interested in it. I LOVE that foot!

[Janet S.]

Thanks! When I tried the Crescendo in the store with some FMQ, it looked good to me - I'm not an expert, but I could see myself doing it on smaller pieces. Also, it went over several thicknesses with no problem.