Janome 001MAJESTY Purple Majesty Easy-to-Use Sewing Machine

Did you know that many of the high-quality machines out there under $500 - regardless of what brand they say they are - are made by Janome? Those other brands who specialize in something else but want to sell a starter sewing machine (from Baby Lock to Sears' Kenmore brand, and I think Juki and even some of the European labels) just use a Janome and put a slightly different "skin" on it (this is true in almost every industry, BTW). I'd never heard of them and was a diehard Singer user ever since learning on my great-grandmother's 1950s Singer 301, until I went shopping for a serger and something that did a zigzag stitch a long time ago, and discovered that the friend's machine that I loved (A Kenmore from Sears) was a 20-year-old Janome. The steel frame matters a lot (the other popular brand at this price point doesn't have that), as does Janome not calling something "Heavy Duty" when it's really not (looking at you, famous grey machine).When we had to solve a slight emergency I was skeptical that this machine at this price point was "really a true Janome" (used to be, heavy steel-framed machines weren't on Amazon because of the shipping cost) but wow is it ever! I did spend a few hours looking through YouTube reviews (ones that aren't compensated to pretend to try several and have the Singer HD "win"), and there were rave reviews of this little guy (including the fact that it goes through 10 layers of denim, like so-called HD machines -- it's motor is equally powerful, Janome just has higher standards for using the HD label).I considered getting a higher end one (I'm a buy-it-for-lifer) but the immediate problem was a kid needing to sew a costume for an event 48 hours later, with minimal lessons from me because I was up against a work deadline at the same time, and the YouTube videos for getting started with this machine are especially good. IE I needed the kid to learn it themselves, and if a problem arose I needed to be able to jump in and solve it despite not being familiar with this machine.This passed that test with flying colors: The kiddo (who hadn't even sewn before) watched the YouTube videos, got the machine threaded, and started sewing with just one brief check-in from me. The book and another YouTube were sufficient for us both to dive into a sewing technique neither of us had done before (applique), again with maybe 5 minutes attention from me. Twice the machine sort of "jammed" (where the thread tension was so tight it wouldn't go), which isn't a machine thing it had to do with user errors. Importantly, it was easily resolvable with the usual "tug lightly while turning the hand crank). Crucially, this machine has a metal bobbin case: you'd be surprised how much that matters.The finished project is pristine: very straight stitches, and -- SO IMPORTANT -- a kiddo who now feels that sewing is easy and awesome!! This is the same kid who has been resistant to learning to sew for 6 years after a run-in with my antique Singer.I'm now officially changing the family tradition from learning on the 1950s Singer 301, to learning on one of these!THE ONE THING that really, really, really, really bugs me is the color. It's way brighter in person, so to me it looks really cheap, it's an eyesore in a tidy sewing space, and the color "fights" with the color of what I'm sewing. If I had to repurchase I'd bump up one notch to the 212 that comes in white (and has feed dogs which drop), or a couple notches to the Babylock Joy (which is made by Janome).Another useful bonus of all these similar machines having Janome as an OEM: Lots of interchangeable parts and accessories, and knowledge. Being similar to the 212 and the Babylock Joy means local repair shops know this machine and can repair it. If you start to look, you'll notice lots of machines that are some variant on this same machine, under several brands, so if you watch a YouTube by someone using that machine it'll be really similar to do the same thing on this one.

Simplicity and Quality I have expected nothing less this machine will last a long time and does difficult projects like sewing lace. The color is not too bright and very easy to use the machine isn’t super loud I can definitely use this at night without waking anyone up. The light on the machine is helpful and it has a lot of good features

Finished my first alteration project! I added some stretch ribbing to this puffer vest which allowed it to comfortably fit around my hips! My hips are much wider than my waist so it’s always so difficult to get jackets to fit but with this handy machine, I can make the appropriate alterations! Also, it looks daunting at first to someone who has never sewn before but coming from an absolute beginner who’s never even touched a sewing needle before…this machine is definitely beginner friendly and it’s also super helpful that there’s a bunch of tutorial videos on YouTube from both Janome and other fellow members of the sewing community. Also, I got this “used” with a discounted price from here. There was some damage to the packaging but the machine itself works fine 😊 I haven’t had any issues so far! Super easy to use!

The media could not be loaded. This machine sews amazingly well. I bought it specifically so I could test it out and possibly have a machine I can recommend for new sewists. It passed all my testing with flying colors.One note on the presser foot lift. It has a standard lift height and an extended or higher lift for the presser foot. However, you have to raise the presser foot lever and hold it in place to keep the foot at the higher raised level.

One small complaint: this was sold as like new, but arrived with one thread holder snapped off (yet helpfully taped to the top). WTH, Amazon?In spite of that, I am thrilled to the point of random hyperbole about this adorable little machine. After a multi-year break from machine sewing, I had a project done within hours of delivery. That's not a humble brag on my skills - this machine is just that simple to use. No jams (even when I fed fabric through doubled up by mistake), no issues with tension or settings to fiddle with, just load up a bobbin and go.This particular machine is part of the 311 model line, which is apparently only available in the US, parts of Latin America and, for some reason, Poland. It's made in Thailand and, aside from the slightly flimsy thread holders (easily repaired with a dab of e6000) the rest of it is nice solid metal. It's heavy enough to not skitter around the table surface at top speed, but not too heavy to lift and store in between projects.Mine came with a full set of basic accessories including a zipper foot and the feed dog covers (some reviewers seem to be missing theirs). The stich selector and length regulator both have solid, thunky dials that let you feel locked in to your choice. The zigzag width is set by the options in between B and C on the stitch selection dial. I've tested all the stitch options and the machine performed perfectly - no skips or broken threads. The light is nice and bright and changing feet is very simple.The foot pedal is a little persnickety - it goes from 0 to 60 very fast, but after about a month I'm learning how hard to press (or not press). It's also a front loader, which I grew up with so that doesn't bother me, but may present a learning curve for newcomers or people used to top drops. However, the instructions inside the bobbin housing are clearly printed and easy to follow.I had been looking at higher end machines, wanting fancy stitch options and exotic computer features, but I'm so glad I chose this one instead!

I bought this sewing machine for my daughter. She wants to learn how to sew. She was looking at a machine at Aldi’s because it was a great price. I found this one and it was cheaper because of the color, lilac. That is her color so it was prefect. I have given her several lessons and she on her way to sewing.