wholehearted agree that Janome's brand reputation, generally, is not at the level of their actual products. I have sewn on a Janome MC8900 QCP, hard, for about 8 years, without a single incident. Only had it professionally serviced once (I do most basic maintenance deep cleaning myself, and it never presented a problem). I might upgrade to an M8 (I do alot of FMQ and would value the stitch regulation). I also sew on an industrial (Juki 8900DDL), a Sailrite LSZ, and multiple vintage machines (Bernina 830 Record, Necchi BU Nova, Necchi Supernova, Pfaff 130, 360, 1222E, Singer 221, 503, etc). l love them all for different reasons, but the modern Janome is by far the easiest to use, fullest-featured, and most reliable of them all.
I love this series! Thank you so much. As a fifty year diehard Bernina fan, i am slowly opening my eyes to other brands. My dealer that has been an excellant repair guy over the years, recently informed me that due to the design of my beloved old Bernina coverstitch, there is no way to adjust the loose slanted bar causing it to slowly start skipping stitches, especially on seams, so i I had to trash it. I literally wore it out. I never thought i would see the day. He sells several brands, but highly recommended a sturdy Janome coverstitch, for the same reasons as you, it is affordable, but well made and reliable, never seeming to fail in the years he has been selling and repairing. There was a lightly used one on the floor that i bought, it seems to work fine, marching fearlessly over lumpy french terry seams. And is so much easier to thread, i had a two minute tutorial at the check out, it seemed too good to be true.
Years ago I had purchased a used Bernina 830 E, but although working, it was so finicky and sensitive, i finally got rid of it because i was always ending up mad every time i tried to use it. Technically it sort of worked, but was so glitchy and problematic, just simply threading it, also several random error messages resulted in it being sent away no charge and fixed by Bernina. But it was too late, i was defeated, it took all the fun out of sewing. I got rid of it and replaced it with nothing.
Then my trusty 1530 Bernina started acting up, randomly freezing and changing stitches in the middle of a seam, i panicked and bought a new Bernina 580 because he said he couldn’t get electronic parts for the 1530, so couldn’t guarantee he could keep it going next time it balked. I kept it as the incidences were random. It turned out my little sewing studio was getting too cold in the winter. Minus 40 Celsius last night, so only getting up to 13 degrees this morning inside. Once i warm up the 1530 on the floor, in front of the electric fan heater, it seems to behave, which is good because the the 580 is not intuitive, and won’t even wind a bobbin without my assistance, and the throat plate has to be changed back and forth constantly, the hole is so big i can’t use the gathering foot. I need two machines to make any progress garment making! Just removing the bobbin holder i have to twist my arm around uncomfortably, as it faces the wrong way, i am right handed, but have to contort to grasp the tiny lever. And if i use the upright thread holder it doesn’t like it, so another step to thread. And the automatic needle threader is random, it takes several tries.
Long term too, in my experience, it feels like Bernina computer software becomes obsolete too soon in my books, and then parts become unavailable, is that the same with all brands? I dunno. I love the auto thread cutter, on the 580, and try to use it, but really, i still love my 1530 best. Perhaps i could drape a heating pad over the old girl? It is like she has arthritis. Lol.
So i look forward to your article next week as i am almost ready to throw in the Bernina towel. Lol. My friend had the Bernina 1630 for years and it was sensitive and always out of wack and needing servicing. She hated it, near the end it was declared unfixable. She had all but quit sewing by that time. She finally bought a new Babylock serger and new Babylock sewing machine and is having so much fun, she loves them so far! I forget the model numbers. She is getting older and her hands shake so she loves the air threading.
I love your articles, i learn so much. I have a lot of respect for all repair guys, when they talk i listen! Thank you so much. Fascinating.
Thanks for the in depth review. I’m just getting back into sewing after many years. I’ve always used hand me down machines and even one machine I adopted from the town dump that just needed a new foot pedal. I am not ready yet to invest in an electronic machine, but I was recently gifted a Janome Blue Couture as my first brand new machine. I’m happy with it so far and I’m glad to read such glowing reviews of the Janome brand. I will be confident to stick with Janome when I’m ready to progress to an electronic machine.
Thank you so much for the entire newsletter, but especially this article because it hits so close to home!
On the bottom of the bottom end of the Janome-made machines is the Kenmore. I have not babied mine at all and think I know its strengths and limitations. It has survived my different sewing experiments for 20+ years and has never needed to go to the shop. You can bet when I upgrade it will be a Janome.
Not only because of experience and reputation, but also because all of my accessories (mostly Janome brand or compatible) will fit and I have a good handle on the routine maintenance. If I can keep a Kenmore purring, I know a real Janome will be a dream to own.
I'm disappointed that my local sewing machine store doesn't carry Janome. I would have loved to try one of these, but alas, it's not in the cards. I recently purchased a Bernina 590 and while it sews beautifully, it's temperamental. I'd love an "always reliable, always does what you ask," machine. While the stitches on the 590 are gorgeous, they come with a price -- frequent oiling (it quite literally drinks oil), and cleaning. After only a month, I'm sick of having to oil and clean the innards (the hook), before sewing a stitch. Must my 2 cents. In Massachusetts -- local dealer is in New Hampshire.
I love my M7--which you sold me, btw--but I also have a $500 Janome that is 20+ years old and is an absolute workhorse. I have used it for quilts and bags and storage boxes, and I’ve dragged it all over the state to classes and retreats, and it still works like a champ. I bought it on the recommendation of a friend who taught home economics for years with a classroom full of Janomes. I have a couple of old-school Pfaffs inherited from relatives and they are great too, but I am a Janome fan forever.
Absolutely love your newsletters. The detailed information is invaluable, very informative but not too technical for the reader. Articles are so well written and easy to follow. Many thanks.
Interesting to hear your perspective. I bought a Bernina in 1977 and finally had to replace it last year. Wish I'd known more about what's available before I did so although I'm quite happy with the Babylock I bought.
I was wondering if Juki was a brand you held in high regard. It is one that quilters tend to like. I have vintage Berninas (1230 and a 530 Record) that offer decorative stitching when needed. The Bernina 1230 has a needle down function that makes piecing fabric easier. But I mostly need a straight stitch. My Juki is a straight stitch that sews like a streak of lightning and offers good throat space and has needle down. It uses a Janome walking foot. It sounds like Juki may be a subdivision or affiliated company to Janome? One drawback to Juki is they don’t offer many presser feet and the generic feet aren’t good quality compared to vintage Berninas. If my 1230 ever kicks the bucket, I will definitely look at Janome.
I am a big fan of Janome and will forever be grateful to the teacher of the sewing class I went to a few years ago for introducing me to them. Before that I had a Toyota (my husband bought it as a present for me, I assume he picked it because it was the only brand he recognised and he thinks their cars are half decent 😂) but I never got on with it very well, and then I was introduced to the entry level Janome and it made me so happy! So out went the Toyota and in came the Janome, and it keeps happily stitching away even after all these years. Eventually I'll probably upgrade to something that does a bit more, but reading this gives me more confidence than ever in sticking with my beloved Janome when I do!
Hi I love reading your newsletters and wish I had found you sooner. I did consider a Janome but knowing very little about them and not being near a distributor I followed the YouTube reviews and bought a Juki QVP 2200 mini. It’s a revelation! I was about to give up on sewing as all my other machines had problems for me as a quilter. The Juki handles everything and I realise that I don’t need a computerised lightweight machine, just one that is robust and sews brilliantly. Your history of Janome just adds to my knowledge and I look forward to learning more. Thank you.
This so great. Thank you. My husband was working building a new school. They left 4 machines behind in art room. He brought them home. I do everything art and am excited on including sewing.
Things have been hectic so. The hobby is on hold. A new Singer a new Janome. and I cant think of other name. I called a repair shop. To find out which one I should keep. She said new Singer and Brother no longer have quality due to new ownership. So I kept the other two.
And I’m really excited. About getting this thing going. And now there’s a place to check in on all things machines.
I only recently had to replace my Janome sewing machine that is nearly 40years old, it has been a work horse. I has been used heavily and I made many pairs of fully lined curtains with sew in pinch pleats. My Janome overlocker is 35 years old and still going strong. They are fabulous machines.
Thanks for the article. I started in a 1960’s Husqvarna (Mom’s machine), then a Bernina (#1 brand in New Zealand). Eventually got a Janome second hand for the throat space for FMQ, Honestly, it took me a while to come to terms with the Janome but now I absolutely love, love, love it! A perfect 1/4” inch seam with the appropriate foot unlike the Bernina and it even managed without complaining the hefty seams of a jeans quilt. I agree that it definitely designed to avoid user errors. Also like the weight of the body. Like all new brands it took a while to adjust to and necessitated the purchase of new bobbins and some new feet but I wouldn’t change brands for anything. Still kept my baby Bernina for travel but the Janome is my machine of choice for quilting, clothes sewing and FMQ.
Incidentally you’re wondering why Bernina still has the #1 position, well Bernina always has the biggest and most prominent stand in quilt shows, in NZ it was the only brand in schools (when they still taught sewing) and it outlays a massive amount on sponsorship. When I realized that all but one of the Bernina machines are not manufactured in Switzerland, I doubted the manufacturer integrity. The one I wanted was the price of a small car and still not manufactured in Switzerland. Janome seems to have far higher manufacturing standards than Bernina, despite the glitz of their sales pitch at shows. It was definitely worth the effort of learning a new machine IMHO.
wholehearted agree that Janome's brand reputation, generally, is not at the level of their actual products. I have sewn on a Janome MC8900 QCP, hard, for about 8 years, without a single incident. Only had it professionally serviced once (I do most basic maintenance deep cleaning myself, and it never presented a problem). I might upgrade to an M8 (I do alot of FMQ and would value the stitch regulation). I also sew on an industrial (Juki 8900DDL), a Sailrite LSZ, and multiple vintage machines (Bernina 830 Record, Necchi BU Nova, Necchi Supernova, Pfaff 130, 360, 1222E, Singer 221, 503, etc). l love them all for different reasons, but the modern Janome is by far the easiest to use, fullest-featured, and most reliable of them all.
I love this series! Thank you so much. As a fifty year diehard Bernina fan, i am slowly opening my eyes to other brands. My dealer that has been an excellant repair guy over the years, recently informed me that due to the design of my beloved old Bernina coverstitch, there is no way to adjust the loose slanted bar causing it to slowly start skipping stitches, especially on seams, so i I had to trash it. I literally wore it out. I never thought i would see the day. He sells several brands, but highly recommended a sturdy Janome coverstitch, for the same reasons as you, it is affordable, but well made and reliable, never seeming to fail in the years he has been selling and repairing. There was a lightly used one on the floor that i bought, it seems to work fine, marching fearlessly over lumpy french terry seams. And is so much easier to thread, i had a two minute tutorial at the check out, it seemed too good to be true.
Years ago I had purchased a used Bernina 830 E, but although working, it was so finicky and sensitive, i finally got rid of it because i was always ending up mad every time i tried to use it. Technically it sort of worked, but was so glitchy and problematic, just simply threading it, also several random error messages resulted in it being sent away no charge and fixed by Bernina. But it was too late, i was defeated, it took all the fun out of sewing. I got rid of it and replaced it with nothing.
Then my trusty 1530 Bernina started acting up, randomly freezing and changing stitches in the middle of a seam, i panicked and bought a new Bernina 580 because he said he couldn’t get electronic parts for the 1530, so couldn’t guarantee he could keep it going next time it balked. I kept it as the incidences were random. It turned out my little sewing studio was getting too cold in the winter. Minus 40 Celsius last night, so only getting up to 13 degrees this morning inside. Once i warm up the 1530 on the floor, in front of the electric fan heater, it seems to behave, which is good because the the 580 is not intuitive, and won’t even wind a bobbin without my assistance, and the throat plate has to be changed back and forth constantly, the hole is so big i can’t use the gathering foot. I need two machines to make any progress garment making! Just removing the bobbin holder i have to twist my arm around uncomfortably, as it faces the wrong way, i am right handed, but have to contort to grasp the tiny lever. And if i use the upright thread holder it doesn’t like it, so another step to thread. And the automatic needle threader is random, it takes several tries.
Long term too, in my experience, it feels like Bernina computer software becomes obsolete too soon in my books, and then parts become unavailable, is that the same with all brands? I dunno. I love the auto thread cutter, on the 580, and try to use it, but really, i still love my 1530 best. Perhaps i could drape a heating pad over the old girl? It is like she has arthritis. Lol.
So i look forward to your article next week as i am almost ready to throw in the Bernina towel. Lol. My friend had the Bernina 1630 for years and it was sensitive and always out of wack and needing servicing. She hated it, near the end it was declared unfixable. She had all but quit sewing by that time. She finally bought a new Babylock serger and new Babylock sewing machine and is having so much fun, she loves them so far! I forget the model numbers. She is getting older and her hands shake so she loves the air threading.
I love your articles, i learn so much. I have a lot of respect for all repair guys, when they talk i listen! Thank you so much. Fascinating.
Thanks for the in depth review. I’m just getting back into sewing after many years. I’ve always used hand me down machines and even one machine I adopted from the town dump that just needed a new foot pedal. I am not ready yet to invest in an electronic machine, but I was recently gifted a Janome Blue Couture as my first brand new machine. I’m happy with it so far and I’m glad to read such glowing reviews of the Janome brand. I will be confident to stick with Janome when I’m ready to progress to an electronic machine.
Thank you so much for the entire newsletter, but especially this article because it hits so close to home!
On the bottom of the bottom end of the Janome-made machines is the Kenmore. I have not babied mine at all and think I know its strengths and limitations. It has survived my different sewing experiments for 20+ years and has never needed to go to the shop. You can bet when I upgrade it will be a Janome.
Not only because of experience and reputation, but also because all of my accessories (mostly Janome brand or compatible) will fit and I have a good handle on the routine maintenance. If I can keep a Kenmore purring, I know a real Janome will be a dream to own.
Great article! I have 3 Janome sewing machines that I purchased last year. Two are in the Sewist series
(mechanical) and the third is electronic. Love them all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Best machines!!!
I'm disappointed that my local sewing machine store doesn't carry Janome. I would have loved to try one of these, but alas, it's not in the cards. I recently purchased a Bernina 590 and while it sews beautifully, it's temperamental. I'd love an "always reliable, always does what you ask," machine. While the stitches on the 590 are gorgeous, they come with a price -- frequent oiling (it quite literally drinks oil), and cleaning. After only a month, I'm sick of having to oil and clean the innards (the hook), before sewing a stitch. Must my 2 cents. In Massachusetts -- local dealer is in New Hampshire.
I love my M7--which you sold me, btw--but I also have a $500 Janome that is 20+ years old and is an absolute workhorse. I have used it for quilts and bags and storage boxes, and I’ve dragged it all over the state to classes and retreats, and it still works like a champ. I bought it on the recommendation of a friend who taught home economics for years with a classroom full of Janomes. I have a couple of old-school Pfaffs inherited from relatives and they are great too, but I am a Janome fan forever.
I have a Janome 4120dc that I got for a sweet deal from my local shop, and I love it!
Absolutely love your newsletters. The detailed information is invaluable, very informative but not too technical for the reader. Articles are so well written and easy to follow. Many thanks.
Interesting to hear your perspective. I bought a Bernina in 1977 and finally had to replace it last year. Wish I'd known more about what's available before I did so although I'm quite happy with the Babylock I bought.
I was wondering if Juki was a brand you held in high regard. It is one that quilters tend to like. I have vintage Berninas (1230 and a 530 Record) that offer decorative stitching when needed. The Bernina 1230 has a needle down function that makes piecing fabric easier. But I mostly need a straight stitch. My Juki is a straight stitch that sews like a streak of lightning and offers good throat space and has needle down. It uses a Janome walking foot. It sounds like Juki may be a subdivision or affiliated company to Janome? One drawback to Juki is they don’t offer many presser feet and the generic feet aren’t good quality compared to vintage Berninas. If my 1230 ever kicks the bucket, I will definitely look at Janome.
I am a big fan of Janome and will forever be grateful to the teacher of the sewing class I went to a few years ago for introducing me to them. Before that I had a Toyota (my husband bought it as a present for me, I assume he picked it because it was the only brand he recognised and he thinks their cars are half decent 😂) but I never got on with it very well, and then I was introduced to the entry level Janome and it made me so happy! So out went the Toyota and in came the Janome, and it keeps happily stitching away even after all these years. Eventually I'll probably upgrade to something that does a bit more, but reading this gives me more confidence than ever in sticking with my beloved Janome when I do!
Hi I love reading your newsletters and wish I had found you sooner. I did consider a Janome but knowing very little about them and not being near a distributor I followed the YouTube reviews and bought a Juki QVP 2200 mini. It’s a revelation! I was about to give up on sewing as all my other machines had problems for me as a quilter. The Juki handles everything and I realise that I don’t need a computerised lightweight machine, just one that is robust and sews brilliantly. Your history of Janome just adds to my knowledge and I look forward to learning more. Thank you.
This so great. Thank you. My husband was working building a new school. They left 4 machines behind in art room. He brought them home. I do everything art and am excited on including sewing.
Things have been hectic so. The hobby is on hold. A new Singer a new Janome. and I cant think of other name. I called a repair shop. To find out which one I should keep. She said new Singer and Brother no longer have quality due to new ownership. So I kept the other two.
And I’m really excited. About getting this thing going. And now there’s a place to check in on all things machines.
Thank you. This is great information
I only recently had to replace my Janome sewing machine that is nearly 40years old, it has been a work horse. I has been used heavily and I made many pairs of fully lined curtains with sew in pinch pleats. My Janome overlocker is 35 years old and still going strong. They are fabulous machines.
Thanks for the article. I started in a 1960’s Husqvarna (Mom’s machine), then a Bernina (#1 brand in New Zealand). Eventually got a Janome second hand for the throat space for FMQ, Honestly, it took me a while to come to terms with the Janome but now I absolutely love, love, love it! A perfect 1/4” inch seam with the appropriate foot unlike the Bernina and it even managed without complaining the hefty seams of a jeans quilt. I agree that it definitely designed to avoid user errors. Also like the weight of the body. Like all new brands it took a while to adjust to and necessitated the purchase of new bobbins and some new feet but I wouldn’t change brands for anything. Still kept my baby Bernina for travel but the Janome is my machine of choice for quilting, clothes sewing and FMQ.
Incidentally you’re wondering why Bernina still has the #1 position, well Bernina always has the biggest and most prominent stand in quilt shows, in NZ it was the only brand in schools (when they still taught sewing) and it outlays a massive amount on sponsorship. When I realized that all but one of the Bernina machines are not manufactured in Switzerland, I doubted the manufacturer integrity. The one I wanted was the price of a small car and still not manufactured in Switzerland. Janome seems to have far higher manufacturing standards than Bernina, despite the glitz of their sales pitch at shows. It was definitely worth the effort of learning a new machine IMHO.