The Best Janome Sewing Machines for Every Type
1st Jun 2023
The Best Janome Sewing Machines for Every Type of Sewer
Janome has a long history of bringing the best in home sewing to your doorstep. But with so many great machines to choose from, finding the perfect one for you can be difficult. We've spent time evaluating each of our Janome machines to find out which machines are best for each type of sewer or craftsperson.
Find out which machine is best for you! Select the category that most interests you to jump to that section:
- Best Janome sewing machine for beginners
- Best Janome sewing machine for your first upgrade
- Best Janome sewing machine for experts
- Best Janome sewing machine for quilters
- Best Janome sewing machine for embroiderers
Before exploring our recommended machines, let's take a look at the history of the Janome Sewing Machine Company.
The History of Janome
Janome's history extends back to 1921 with the founding of the Pine Sewing Machine factory. In 1935, the factory developed the Janome trademark and the company was renamed, becoming the Janome Sewing Machine Company. Janome is most notable for inventing the first-ever sewing machine with both programmable and computerized functions, which they did in 1971. Today, that same dedication to innovation leads to cutting edge machines that are designed for use by beginners and experts alike.
The Best Janome Machine for Beginners
Of all the categories in this article, the best beginner machine category was one of the most competitive. Janome offers a huge line of machines under $500, and each of them is more than worthy of your consideration. Whether you choose the ultra-affordable Janome 2212 or the more powerful HD3000, you're guaranteed to get a great machine. But when it came to finding a machine that was beginner friendly, affordably priced, easy on the eyes, and highly capable, our choice became clear.
The Janome HD1000 Black Edition takes everything we love about the already great HD1000 and wraps it in a brilliant black casing that is sure to capture the eyes of everyone in your sewing circle. Not only is it beautiful, it's a workhorse. Built out of heavy duty aluminum and toting a powerful 1.0 amp motor, the HD1000 Black Edition will make quick work of even the toughest materials.
It's also easy to use for both beginners and experts alike. The HD1000 Black Edition comes complete with 14 built-in stitches, an easy stitch selection dial, easy stitch length and width adjustment features, a three-piece feed dog, and more. The Black Edition also comes with 17 included accessories, four of which are exclusive to this edition, and a generous 25-year warranty on mechanical parts. If you're looking to start your sewing career in style, the Janome HD1000 Black Edition is the machine you need.
The Best Janome Machine for Your First Upgrade
If your first machine is starting to hold you back, consider upgrading to a more capable machine. For users that are looking for something a bit more robust than an entry-level model, but who aren't quite ready to enter the upper tier of the Janome catalog, we recommend the Janome 4120QDC-B.
Perfect for both standard sewing projects and more intensive quilting projects, the 4120QDC-B brings a simple, lightweight design to your sewing table! But this machine isn't just nice to look at and easy to carry; it brings plenty of features to the table, too. Here's a quick overview of the most notable features and accessories included in the Janome 4120QDC-B.
- 8 different stitching feet
- A large extension table for bigger projects
- Locking and reverse stitch buttons
- Needle memory with up and down settings
- Stitch speed control slider
- LED light for work area illumination
- Twin needle guard
- Horizontal rotary hook bobbin
- A seven-piece feed dog with drop feed
With this many features, the Janome 4120QDC-B is the perfect first upgrade. Best of all, the machine performs admirably with both quilting and standard sewing projects, and at only $699, it's an upgrade that won't break the bank.
The Best Janome Machine for Sewing Experts
Janome Memory Craft Horizon 9850
If you run a home business or find yourself churning out projects for friends and family on a frequent basis, then it might be time to consider a top-of-the-line machine. Whether you're brand loyal to Janome or just shopping around, Janome has more than a few machines that are worthy of your consideration. But the Memory Craft Horizon 9850 stands out as the perfect mix of features, power, price and value.
We're confident that any expert-level sewer would be well served by a Memory Craft 9850. As the brand that pioneered the computerized sewing machine, Janome has more experience than any other manufacturer when it comes to intuitive, cutting edge automation technology. The Memory Craft line is a perfect representation of their dedication to these innovative features. This particular model includes:
- 200 built-in stitches
- A free arm
- Seven-piece feed dog
- Memory enabled needle up/down settings
- One-step needle plate conversion
- A full-color LCD touch screen
- 175 built-in embroidery designs
- USB design transfer
- Flexible stitch traveling
- Dozens of editing functions
Each of these features ensures that you can tackle any project, whether it be embroidering an elaborate design, crafting a piece of clothing, or making a magnificent quilt. This fantastic machine is sure to meet your needs for years to come. It also comes with the same 25-year warranty on mechanical parts that all Janome sewing machines have, making it easy and affordable to maintain.
The Best Janome Machine for Quilters
Janome 3160QOV Quilts of Valor Edition
Janome has something special in mind for those who value quilting above all else, the Janome 3160QOV. This is a full-feature machine built with the quilter especially in mind. It takes the already amazing Janome superior feed system (Janome SFS) and upgrades it to the SFS+ by adding a specialized box feed to the machine to ensure smooth and easy stitching every time. Also included are time-saving features such as a memory-enabled needle up/down setting, one-hand needle threader, and a lock stitch button.
The Best Janome Machine for Embroiderers
Janome MB-7 Multi-Needle Embroidery Machine
Similar to the beginner level category, Janome has more than a few worthwhile embroidery machines to choose from. It was a tough call, but in the end, we couldn’t ignore the Janome MB-7's incredible list of features and capabilities.
The MB-7 comes equipped with seven needles, making it easy to tackle highly complex designs, and Janome further improves the machine by adding their signature touch for computerization. The large remote computer screen (RCS) makes finding the perfect settings easy. The machine itself has a large working area, increasing the amount of detail you can add to each design while reducing the number of times you'll need to reposition your fabric. The machine is more affordable than similarly powerful machines, and is both lighter (weighing only 50 pounds) and smaller, making it perfect for the at-home user who needs multi-needle embroidery.
Bring a Janome Sewing Machine Home Today!
If you've found a machine that caught your eye, click the name of the machine to head to the purchase page. And don’t forget that Janome has dozens of machines that weren't included on this list but are well worth your consideration.
If none of these machines are the perfect fit, choose one of the links below to see the machines we recommend from other manufacturers or for specific crafts and situations!