I recently got rid of my computerized machine and got an older Necchi that is mechanical. After many years of dealing withe temperamental computer machine, I am SO much happier to be back on a mechanical machine. I found the computerized machines don't sew nearly as well as the old school ones. They tend to be futzy, dislike thickness changes, need to be babied every step of the way. Even the sewing machine repair person where I live agrees with me - computerized machines have a place, but they are far futizer to use. They also can't be easily repaired, where as the older mechanical can often easily be repaired. On a personal note - here in the States, I have found that the Bernina sales people are rude and condescending every time I looked at Bernina machines. If you don't want to pay thousands of dollars for their brand, you just aren't worth their time. On that alone, I will never buy a Bernina.
Totally agree. I would have liked it if there were two categories--best mechanical, best electronic. We spent $$ on an electronic machine for the extra bells and whistles. So much more can go wrong with them. The littlest issue and we are back at the sewing machine repair shop. The machine is in need of repair and has been put away. I purchased Janome HD-5000. It's mexhanical and runs like a little tank and I love it.
Newer Sewing machines costs thousands. Thousands... Ridiculous! I still sew with my Pfaff 1222e, my brother pq1500sl and my little old Bernina. Nothing fancy but they costs very little compared to today's 14k Bernina. I can afford fabric and thread 😂😂😅
I’ve sewn for 60 yrs. I teach sewing. Gifted my students the janome 2222, mechanical side loading bobbin., sturdy. Nice price. I sew on a variety of machines. I recently got my first Bernina and it went back to the shop twice before it had a hour’s use. What good does a built in manual do when the machine locks up? I don’t trust it. My 1971 Elna never went to a shop, it has those black cams and was state of the art at the time. Brother is big bang for the buck and easy to learn. Sorry you didn’t consider maintence, ease of use, clarity of manual, on line lessons, relative cost and universality of accessorites in your evaluation. Most machines, self thread, cut thread, wind bobbins, go in reverse, needle up down, a variety of stitches, basic feet and button hole capability. Those are givens. FYI, beginners like to slow slowly to maintain control. Personally, i’d never sew at 1000 sts a minute. Why?
I was making masks on my Jacome during the pandemic and I had to get it adjusted twice. I have been doing much research and the best simple computerized machine may be the Bernina 930. There are all kinds of videos online for maintaining it. Complex computerized is not a good idea. Also mentioned was Singer 401A (high torque, no belt) and Singer 201A (best stitch out of forty choices.)
I own the Janome 6700P and it is the best machine I have ever owned. I have owned over 20 machines in my sewing life, including Berninas and Pfaffs. I used the HP plate and foot mostly, which is excellent for straight stitch sewing on clothing and quilting. The needle plate is easy to remove with just the press of a button. It has all the bells and whistles I like, including the thread cutter. The lack of a free arm is the only drawback, but easily overcome by turning the piece of work to sew it in the round. It is strong and sturdy.
I have a 6600 Janome with the table for so smooth sewing. It's about 25 years old and with almost yearly servicing is my go to all day long. I have an older Janome which is about 40 yrs old and it's got a free arm. The difference in sounds is so different . My 730 Bernina that I bought for 250.00 as a used model at a show served me very well till it just basically disintegrated and parts could not be found to replace it. Janome user all the way. I would also look at Juki before I would spend the big money on a Bernina, Lots of fabric money is saved by buying Janome
I was a high school textiles and design teacher in Sydney, Australia for many years. We only bought Bernina sewing machines to use, not the really expensive ones. I think the Bernina originally had a contract to supply Bernina s.m. to schools under the NSW Dept of Education. One head teacher decided to buy a different brand of machine, just one which was a big mistake as when you have 24 students learning to sew, it’s too difficult to switch from one machine to another brand and assist students in the classroom. I never had that machine out. We had 24 machines in 2 classrooms. I personally own an Elna which I purchased in 1976 when I was training to be a teacher and am still using today. I’ve only had it repaired once and that was last year.
I just started to sew, using a Kenmoore 385. and several months later purchased the Skyline 3 (an inner voice was telling me, life didn’t have to be this hard). Because I’m so new, I can’t even imagine what else I need or want for BUT my Skyline has opened my eyes to what the world of “upgrades” can look like. LOL! Happy Sewing! 🎉❤
I had a janome machine made for Sears …Labeled a Kenmore. I had no idea why this machine just went on and on and on and didn’t give me a moment’s trouble. Then I found out it was made by Janome.
I just started sewing and it was on a Kenmoore. It is a good machine but it was tearing my fabric (basic quilting cotton) as I was merely making a toy stuffy. Three months later, I purchased a Skyline 3 and OMG. I can’t even imagine, what a more luxurious machine can do!! I’ve made a lot of cool stuff on my Janome however, I credit a lot of my success to the stability and power of this machine. The auto tension IS EVERYTHING!!! I don’t know if I can handle a standard machine every again.
Your Reviews are the very best!!!! You do a very nice job showing us the workings of the machines you review so well that it is easy for anyone to really decide which machine to get!!!! Thanks and keep your magnificent videos going on!!!!!
I have a 1957 360 Pfaff. I sewed professionally for over 20 years on dozens of different machines, commerical one purple machines to all around sewing machine. Juki , consew, pfaff, etc..... my all time favorite machine a double needle consew that we had set up to do large bindings at the grommet end of flags, big advertising flags and usa flags. Huge flags that would come 3ft square boxes on a pallet. That double needle with walking foot could do it all. I would do the flat felled seam on blue jeans for myself and all so tough to do zippers on blue jeans. I loved that machine.
I have a Janome Skyline 5 that I love. It replaced a 50 year old Bernina that still works, but the buttonholer 15:33 gave out and I needed a new machine. My personal opinion is that the Janome are better because made in Japan as opposed to Bernina now made in China (originally made in Switzerland).
Most of the Bernina models are actually made in Thailand but there are a few models that are still made in Switzerland. The owner of the shop where I work just got back from touring their Thailand factories.
I had a Bernina 770 QE, and I did not like it much. It was my second Bernina. Loved the first one for over 20 years before I decided to “upgrade.” Big, expensive mistake! What I disliked about the 770? I thought I’d love the huge bobbins, but I did not. The machine kept telling me that they were empty when they were not. The machine would just stop. I brought the machine in and was told it was the bobbins (which are extremely expensive, by the way), so I’d buy more bobbins. And the machine kept stopping. The needle threader never worked correctly. The stitch regulator isn’t as wonderful as I had hoped. What I liked? I liked the very even stitching, when I could get it to work. I liked the 9-inch throat space. I liked the built-in walking foot. But I could never get the bobbin issue resolved. So, I sold it and got a BabyLock Crescendo-which I am absolutely in love with, in spite of the very bulky walking foot it comes with. It works very well, goes through multiple layers, has a large throat space for quilting. I’ve never tried a Janome. If I were to buy a machine again, it would not be a Bernina, unless it were an older model.
I just looked up the prices of the machines you featured. The difference in price is shockingly dramatic! Over 4 thousand for the Bernina, over a thousand for the Janome and only 4 hundred for the Brother! I know which one I would choose.
Depends what you want it to do, and if you use it for business, or just a hobby. All of these are good machines. tbh I'd go for a Bernina, but get a reconditioned one. Not dissimilar to a brand new car, it drops massively in value just driving your sewing machine off the showroom forecourt. 😉
I have the Baby lock Ovation server. Bought it new a few years ago. Best serger I have ever owned. My Brother pq1500sl only sews a straight stitch but if it had zig zag I'd be in heaven
I have the 770 and embroidery module and I love it, had the Bernina 1230 for 32 years before this one. I do agree with the bobbin issue, my machine tells me I’m nearly out when I’m not sometimes, so I just turn off the option to tell me that and keep sewing. So many great machines to choose from these days
Thank you so much Anna, I really really enjoyed watching you demonstrate these sewing 🧵 machines. I really would have liked the price’s up front. Please stay safe and well too xxx Mags
Prices vary by where you buy it from, and any price show posts when she made this video will change later. She has a link to each machine at her store which has their price. A quick Internet search shows price for the Janome from $1200 to $4200 USD.
Hello, Glad you enjoyed the video! As the comment below says - we don't share prices as they do tend to fluctuate (especially when we offer a price match guarantee)! All links to the products are in our description.
@@SewingStudio it's fine to not to share the prices, but please don't compare models costing under $700 with models at $8000...... It's not comparable.....
If you know the price up front, your attitude to quality is compromised and you're no longer neutral - it's not a criticism - we all do it! Successful salespeople rarely focus on the price first, unless it's a recognised feature of the brand - eg Sainsbury's Basics, Asda Price, Lidl on Price etc. Focusing on what you ultimately need your sewing machine to _repeatedly do_ for you - month in, month out - will generally lead to a good buying decision. Reconditioned machines are always a wise consideration too ime!
Excellent review, slightly surprised that the Bernina was second, but I loved the Janome. I have a 8 Yr old Janome, I love it and especially the in built scissors. Thank you for the review!
I'm guessing it was placed second purely due to the price. They're going to sell more of the Janome, so from the 'psychology of selling' pov, it makes perfect sense for them to place it first, thus reinforcing buyers' choices.
Yeah, placing that Janome against a 4 or 5 series Bernina which it is more comparable with…. instead of the 7 series….. and the results would have flipped, I’m betting!
Buy an old Pfaff instead, all these modern machines are subpar to a well-maintained Pfaff from the late 80s (the 1051) or 90's (6085, 6087, 6091 the latter with IDT). My Pfaff from 1957 also has 80 decorative stitches and an automatic needle threader. ;)
I was looking carefully at the zig-zag stitch, and whether there was that pucker in the middle that is my personal bugaboo-- it drives me crazy and is a deal breaker for me on a machine. I believe the Janome was the best of the 3 on this, with the Brother not far behind, I just saw a wee bit in the middle of the line of stitching. But the Bernina looked to be to produce a pronounce pucker through the last 2/3 of the line of stitching.
Your recommendation is not clear.... Shouldn't you compare similar machines -pricewise and what functions they're coming with? Bernina 770 should be compared to Brother VQ2 or Brother Innov-is V5LE or Brother Innov-is XJ1- here you would have fair comparison .... Brother A80 is completely different machine then Bernina 770! You could compare this model with maybe Bernina from 300 or 400 series not 700..... Please next time use machines from the same price range to compare them and their functions.... Your model choices are very unfair .
Janome is the most reliable. I just don’t know what model to get. I’ve searched and compared but it’s baffling! I can’t spend more than £400 can anyone advise please?
it is an alien feeling indeed but they say you get use to it. I find it cumbersome for sewing clothing with all the stopping and starting that needs to be done. To each is their own!
Having owned a Janome 6700P for a while, I have come to the conclusion it is rubbish. The only good factor with it is that it is a powerful machine good for using on thick quilting because of the walking feet. I also own a Pfaff creative 3.0. A bit more expensive (being an embroidery machine) but you get far better automatic features and better stitch quality than the Janome.
Can you explain the specifics of it being rubbish, please. Others have commented that it's wonderful and I'd like to hear a different side. They're very expensive and I'd like to make an informed decision. Thanks!
I had a dealer explain to me the serious problems associated with warranty support. Janome really is like talking to a brick wall compared to Brother (which I don't own). The 6700P as I said is solid and funtional but more mechanical than automatic. If you are quilting get a dedicated straight stitch machine from Brother or Zuki. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-0G4cXX4VR4M.html @@bonnieantonini
I think these are all domestic machines. Not a fan... Professional machines are far better for the money if you are serious about professional level beautiful straight line stitches. We can actually tell clothes made out of domestic machines vs professional/industrial machines (professional machines are portable version of industrial machines in nutshell). The silhouette/line of clothes come out cleaner, sharper and much better in professional machines than domestic machines, we can actually tell. You would just need a serger unless you are into embroidery, in which case you would be better off to get an embroidery machine separately.