What you see here are two advertisements for the exact same sewing machine. Yes, this is the machine I want when I go to replace my Janome 8900. The Canadian offer is a much better deal as the $6999 price in Canadian dollars converts to $5,054.92 in USD and the bundle includes the ASR (stitch regulator). The US offer with the 50% discount to add on the ASR means I would pay close to $7,000 on the exact same machine with ASR if I were to buy it at one of the three Janome dealers here in greater Atlanta.

I’m not aware of any differences in the 9480 models marketed in the USA and Canada. That extra $2,000 is purely due to tariffs.

Despite what we were told about other countries paying their fair share when the tariffs were implemented, said tariffs are being passed directly along to we the people. This is just one example. Janome’s merely following what all the other sewing machine manufacturers are doing. I get that. As the customer, I’m choosing not to play that game. I’ll purchase when prices return to normal or buy used.

In case you missed it, Quilts Inc. announced on Wednesday that Quilt Market – the long-running quilt industry trade show held in Houston each fall – has officially ceased operations. You can read the official announcement here. However, International Quilt Festival, the consumer show that usually follows the trade show, WILL continue. Dates for that show are November 12-15, 2026 at the George Brown Convention Center in Houston.

In 2022, h&h americas opened a new, competing trade show in Chicago encompassing all the needlearts – not just quilting. I’ve had a few creative-type colleagues from the greater ATL attend the h&h americas event. They recommended I attend this industry event as a sewing educator. Apparently, I have the credentials to do so. The 2026 dates don’t work with my schedule, but perhaps I can make plans to attend in 2027.

2025 has certainly been a year of big changes in the world of sewing, quilting, knitting, crocheting, cross-stitching and every other fiber & textile specialty. Private equity discovered our “grandma hobbies” and literally wreaked havoc on the entire crafts industry in its quest for investor returns. I’m still miffed about the whole Joann fiasco. Tariffs have also added to already higher prices on fabric, sewing machines and craft supplies. The Janome 9480 I’ve had my eye on is now $2,500 higher than it was this time last year due tariffs. Surprisingly, the Elna version (same machine AND includes the stitch regulator) is $1500 cheaper than the Janome. I’ll continue to wait until prices drop or my Janome 8900 gives up the ghost and will probably wind up with the Elna version.

On Monday, my niece, Allison, got to see her Aunt Teresa (me) and Sadie in action! My local therapy dog group does a finals week destress visit 2-3x per year at the main GA Tech campus library. It’s always a lot of fun – especially when Sadie’s canine friends show up. Allison stopped in to pet the puppies before her physics class. I understand from grandma that she did well on her calculus final and is a little apprehensive about the physics final on Friday. Good luck girl! You’ve got this!