Janome Sewing Machine?

Question

My daughter is a beginner in sewing and wanted a machine for her birthday. I found a really great deal on the Janome 313 for only half the cost.

She does want to be able to make some basic things... bags, purses, tops. It will include stitching through denim, and I did buy denim needles.

I have no idea what I am looking for. Is this machine any good?

Also, if you know of any extras I should buy so she can start right away (already have bobbins, thread and a little bit of fabric).

Thank you!

Answer 1

I'm not finding anything about the machine on US sites, only in Australia and New Zealand.  Seems to be their "value" line, which makes me a bit nervous -- cheapie machines are not very repairable -- and I'm seeing prices ranging from $180 - $450, new.  Will the seller provide guide lessons and repairs on the machine?

The facts that you don't know what you're buying and your daughter is a beginner make me urge you to consider buying a machine from a local dealer who can support the sale... cheapie machines tend to pitch fits at the slightest provocation, and I suspect it will be quite difficult for your daughter to deal with entirely on her own.  Although Janome is the brand I'd probably pick for a cheap machine if I had to have a new machine on a tight budget, I'd really, really sooner spend a tight-budget amount of money on a used machine.

Here's my standard advice for beginner sewing machines.

http://www.cet.com/~pennys/faq/smfaq.htm

What I want for beginners in sewing:

- a machine that doesn't scare you

- a machine that isn't balky (cheap new machines are often very

  balky or need adjustments often and are rarely repairable --

  just too frustrating to learn on!)

- very good straight stitch

- good zigzag (4-5 mm is fine, more than that is gravy)

- a method of making buttonholes that makes sense to you

- adjustable presser foot pressure (which helps some fabric

  handling issues)

- accessory presser feet that don't cost an arm and a leg

  (machines that use a "short shank foot" typically handle

  generic presser feet pretty well.  Some brands of machines use

  proprietary or very expensive presser feet)

If the budget stretches far enough:

- blindhem and stretch blindhem stitches

- triple zigzag (nice for elastic applications)

- a couple of decorative stitches (you won't use them nearly as

  much as you think)

- electronic machine because of the needle position control and

  because the stepper motors give you full "punching force" at

  slow sewing speeds -- mechanical machines often will stall at

  slow speeds.

Please go to the best sewing machine dealers around and ask them

to show you some machines in your price range, *especially* used

machines you can afford. You'll get a far better machine buying

used than new, and a good dealer is worth their weight in sewing

machine needles when you get a machine problem -- often they can

talk you through the problem over the phone. While you're trying

things out, try a couple of machines (sewing only, not combo

sewing-embroidery) over your price limit, just so you can see

what the difference in stitch quality and ease of use might be.

You may find you want to go for the used Cadillac. Or you might

want the new basic Chevy. Might as well try both out.

Suggested reading: John Giordano's The Sewing Machine Book

(especially for used machines), Carol Ahles' Fine Machine Sewing

(especially the first and last few chapters) and Gale Grigg

Hazen's Owner's Guide to Sewing Machines, Sergers and Knitting

Machines. All of these are likely to be available at your public

library.

Used brands I'd particularly look for: Elna, Bernina,

Viking/Husqvarna, Pfaff, Singer (pre 1970), Juki, Toyota

New "bargain brand" I'd probably pick: Janome (who also does

Kenmore).