I used my Janome 3160QDC (my baby) during my last bag making session. It worked well with a Jeans needle, but there was an “oh oh” moment when my machine was going through a few particularly thick layers of fabric and fleece and it made a strange “whirring” noise. I backed off, stopped pushing it so much, took it easy and never heard the noise again. Just to be safe I dropped it off today with the sewing machine repair mechanic for a cleaning and a check up. I have in the past opened up machines to see how they work (or clean and fix them) but I don’t feel comfortable opening up a computerized machine.
For about a month now, I have been hunting for a mechanical sewing machine that was not fancy and could take all the layers I could throw at it. Something reliable. I asked on a few Facebook bag making sites and was told the Juki TL series was a good choice. Unfortunately, they are ridiculously priced for my budget! Someone else suggested industrial machines. Those in my price range lacked features.
Another recommendation was the Janome HD5000 or HD3000. More in my budget!
I found some short reviews of these machines on line, but nothing detailed enough to convince me! I did find this chart though that showed me that, although there is a $40.00 price difference, the only difference in features between an HD3000 and an HD5000 is a .5 mm stitch width!
When I was last in Vancouver, my sister and I checked out the Janome HD3000 and HD5000. I was smitten by their performance. The sales lady was pleased with my enthusiasm. My smart sister with her widening eyes, wild hand gestures and harsh whispers spent her time trying to convince me not to buy right away but think about it. Besides I would have had to drag it home the next day, walking on and off the ferry with a boxed up sewing machine – one with a cast aluminum body! That was the only thing that stopped me!
Imagine my surprise when I found it for sale on Amazon by the same store! Then there was the additional thrill of finding out that my “free shipping” hadn’t expired yet! A sewing machine of my dreams with free shipping!!!
So let me show you what I like about it … A handy understandable stitch chart with “how to” instructions.
Tidy storage for sewing feet.
A perfectly wound bobbin.
A seven piece feed dog to feed those heavy layers through easily.
An extra high presser foot lifter, for all those heavy layers.
Built-in thread cutter (not shown) and a built-in needle threader. This one is slower. It doesn’t snap out like the one on my Janome 3160QDC – which sometimes snaps out so quickly it leaves the needle unthreaded!
18 stitches – about 15 more than I needed! They all worked fine. I should have paid more attention to the stitch instructions though. I made a few of them too long! Meh! I was in a hurry.
Eight layers of denim and then eight layers of denim and Peltex. Easy! I’ll have to try MORE next time!
Four layers of vinyl and four layers of cork with my Teflon foot from my other Janome. Of course all Janome feet are interchangeable, including my walking foot, which will come in handy!
What do I NOT like? Can you see the tiny red dot above the stitch number 13? It would indicate that I was using stitch number 13, if I could see the darn thing without my glasses!
Last of all, another “like”. You can keep the lid down and no thread is exposed for the cats to play with! BONUS! CAT PROOF!!
What’s your best, favourite, most loved sewing machine and why? Post your review here!
Happy Sewing!
STASH BUSTING WITH THIS PROJECT? Nothing! More sewing next week – my top is almost finished and I have been sewing it on my Janome HD3000. Still 130.2 metres left in my fabric stash.
(By the way, these opinions are my own. I have no connection to Janome.)
Ooh that looks wonderful! I’m certain you will both live happily ever after. I’m also very impressed with how it copes with the layers.
I’ve always used mechanical Berninas. I have the1008 model at the moment and have enjoyed using it.
As an aside…I remembered having an old black enamelled vintage Singer many years ago and thought it had been given away before I got married. It used to be my mums. Anyway, she told me last week that it has been at my brother’s house (he lives far away) for about 20 years as she took it there to sew some curtains. Mum asked my brother and its still there boxed up! I’m arranging for a courier to collect it…sooo excited to get it back as I regretted the fact it was gone.
I think the mechanicals are tougher than the computerized ones. And get that vintage Singer over to your place soon! It’s been calling for you!
Sounds like the perfect machine for your bag making pursuits! I have an aluminum cast Necchi Omega, nothing fancy, no computer, not much choice on stitches. She does rugged work pretty well, not always great on very fine things like chiffon, but fairly responsive to needle changes. Some day I would love to have a used Viking or Bernina or a Juki. 😄
Oh I forgot to try chiffon or a lighter fabric on this new machine. It is doing fine with my embroidered lightweight denim but I should try something lighter too! Your Necchi sounds lovely. We don’t see many vintage Necchis in my area!
You need to have the tools of your trade. I dont think Jimmy Choo thinks twice about leather and diamonds when he designs his shoes. Im glad you got the sewing machine you’d been eyeing. Looking at your pictures, sewing machines have made leaps and bounds from the days of our mother’s baby blue Singer sewing machine. Looking forward to your future projects with this one.
Now there’s a wonderful reason (Jimmy Choo) to buy a sewing machine if I ever heard one! I remember Mom’s baby blue Singer. It was such a pretty colour and it weighed a ton! I finally broke it beyond repair after many years of sewing! So sorry! 😮 Thanks for the support! 😁👍
janome. because i have the janone memory carft 8000 for 18 years. 18 YEARS PEOPLE and i have never had it serviced and it’s as wonderful today as the day i got it. it has many more features than i’ll ever need and i never used most of them, but i swear by that machine. that same year my DH bought me a top of the line Viking A+ (why?) which is lovely but not as great as the janome. computerized and never been serviced. that says a lot about the machine (and me). oh, it does embroider and monogram. that was fun when my kids were small. not necessary.
Nice to see another happy sewist! I see a lot of talk about fabric and patterns, I was dying to read about everyone’s sewing machine love ❤️ thanks for chiming in! 👍
Wow! Had no idea one could sew all those layers on a home machine. You’re gonna reeeeally go to town with this one, aren’t you?! Eager to see what you come up with!
I was scared to try more than 8 layers of denim. But I’m certainly going to have fun with my bags!
See, the evil sister was not that evil after all. Glad you got the one we were looking at, it worked like a dream. Now, about that little red dot, I can see it. I think you just need to get used to the manual aspects of your new machine cause you have been spoiled by the computer whiz. Nice machine.
We are a fabulous window-shopping team! Yes I have been spoiled… I’ll get used to this one! It sure is strong! 💪
I have a very similar looking Janome which I’m very happy with. The only thing I miss with mine is being able to move the needle to the right. With light fabrics I hang on to the threads when starting a seam, and occasionally need tissue paper, but that’s not unusual. Lovely strong little machine for things like bag making too, and vey good tempered. I hope you enjoy yours as much 🙂
Nice to hear! I had to look in the manual to see how to move this one’s needle to the left and back. It is with the stitch length lever. One end is normal and the other is to the left. I have gotten into the habit of holding threads on all my sewing so that wasn’t noticeable. I’ll have to see if I need your tissue sewing trick on light fabrics. Thanks!
how wonderful. by the end of thus month i’m hoping to get the HD 2200. it’s all i can think about these days, LOL
Good luck with your search! 😁👍 yes they do stick in your brain don’t they, and all you can make with them!
I finally settled on a janome hd3000 like yours, she on her way, I’m counting down now, phew. I can start making jeans etc
So happy for you! I was so scared to start, I hand fed her bits one at a time! 😂 see what she can do! 😁
I’m sworn not to buy/obtain any more sewing machines. A bit sad but I’m sure I have enough…
Your new machine looks very good. The Janome I have has always surprised me with just how capable it is. Enjoy your machine(s).
I thought my last one was my last one too! 😄 this one fits the need of being not as expensive and quite strong. So it’s the LAST ONE now! 😂👍