Sewing Machines in Disguise - Inspired by the Chevrolet Cavalier & Cadillac Cimarron

One of the skilled technicians I work with at The Sewing Machine Shop used to be a car mechanic before he pivoted into sewing machines. Yesterday we were talking and he was telling me about the Cadillac Cimarron, which was a controversial example of badge engineering in the American automotive industry. Manufactured in the 1980s, the Cimarron was branded as a Cadillac. It had Cadillac decals, a Cadillac grille, Cadillac interior and upholstery. However, to the irration of many automobile enthusiasts, the Cimarron was built on the exact same platform as the Chevrolet Cavalier.

Due to my sickness where I see everything through a sewing machine colored lens, the conversation made me think of all the different sewing machines out there that share platforms like the Cadillac Cimarron and the Chevy Cavelier.

In today’s edition of The Sewing Machine Newsletter, I am going to list all the different examples I can think of.

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Kenmore & Janome

As you’ll see, Janome is a unique company because they manufacturer all sorts of machines under different brand names. A prime example of this is Kenmore, who tapped Janome for many years. If I’m not mistaken, every Kenmore machine of the last 30 years was manufactured by Janome.

If you look at the machines above, they are identical in nearly every way, down to the exact stitches they carry. The only difference is the color, the decal, and the speed control slider symbol where Janome uses a series of arrows and Kenmore uses a tortoise and rabbit.

In writing this, I realized that I haven’t seen in a new Kenmore branded machine in at least 5 years. I looked online to see if I could buy a brand new Kenmore machine online, and it seems that they are no longer being sold.

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Janome TM16 ~ Baby Lock Joy ~ Elna EM16

All of these machines share the exact same Janome-built platform. From my experience, it is the most reliable mechanical machine for under $250 in the world. During the Covid-19 pandemic, this model was flying off the shelves, so we carried all 3 of the various brands. My dad and I recently shared a chuckle upon reflecting on how few of them came back with issues, despite selling so many of them. It’s truly a great product.

Interestingly enough, the Janome TM16 cannot be sold online, while the Baby Lock Joy and the Elna EM16 both can be sold online for $249. I wonder why Janome does it that way.

*** Note: as far as I’m aware, all Baby Lock branded machines under $500 are manufactured by Janome (e.g. Baby Lock Zest & Baby Lock Zeal).

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Janome 1600P ~ Pfaff GrandQuilter ~ Viking Mega Quilter

If I am not mistaken, these machines were manufactured about 20 years ago. Again, all of them share the same Janome platform, but this case is interesting for a couple of different reasons.

First, Janome used to manufacture some machines for Viking and Pfaff, but that’s no longer the case since Viking and Pfaff were bought up by SVP Worldwide (read article below for more details on that conglomerate). Janome updated the 1600P and renamed it the HD9. I don’t know if Pfaff or Viking still produce this type straight stitch semi-industrial machine, but if they do then they are no longer built by Janome.

The Decline of European Sewing Machine Manufacturers

Secondly, I find it interesting that Janome is willing to share the platform of their straight stitch semi-industrial. In my opinion, Janome and Juki make the best straight stitch semi-industrial machines in the world. Juki doesn’t share their platform with anybody else. Janome does; I wonder why

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Bernette 08 ~ Janome HD9