Janome Janome Portable Easy-to-Use 5-Pound Mechanical Sewing Machine

I really had high hopes for this little machine! It was a Mother's Day gift to myself, but I didn't get to try it until this past weekend! It took me for ever to thread the needle, then each time I tried to sew, the thread would get all jammed up or just come out of the needle again! After about four hours of threading the needle and attempting to sew, I finally gave up and will be returning it tomorrow! Could have been a faulty machine, but I've decided to get a different model!

I am an experienced sewer and quilter. While my most recent sewing machine is a Bernina the one before this was a Janome that I loved. I bought this machine for my 8 year old grand-daughter who has shown interest by 'quilting' a few table runners on my machine. She made her first patchy pillow today and had a ball. The machine sews quite nicely at a medium speed on full foot pressure so was perfect for her. Next time she wants to try out the fancy stitches. (I tried a few without her to see how they sew and they also were nice.)

I have not done any sewing since the 1970s and wanted to sew a simple gathered skirt. This is a remarkable no-frills machine for a very low price. On any sewing machine, the most complex first tasks are filling a bobbin and threading the machine. Although the manual is thorough, black and white line art is a little difficult to understand. I found a few YouTube videos that are a helpful supplement to the manual. Beginners should look for Gretchen Hirsch's sewing videos. Even though Gretchen does not use this machine, she's an eloquent teacher (she has a YouTube Channel and has published 2 books). Online reviews all mention that this machine does not have a light. I placed a small task light near the machine and had to use the threader tool to thread the needle (the threader tool is easy to use).

I am amazed at this little machine... it is light weight and easy to store and small and easy to set up... It sews beautifully, on various fabrics and has saved me loads of money, as I used to have to take my items to a tailor for adjustments.

I wondered if this would be more like a toy than a proper sewing machine. Since purchase, it has met all of my needs for altering and fixing clothes in my family. It is exceptionally light at 2 kg. , yet performs all of the functions, including seam binding stiches and button hole borders. I am very pleased with this portable machine. My only concern is the use of rather cheap, thin plastic for the moveable parts, i.e. bobbins, and the needle stage cover. What if these break? I foun the manual clear enough.