Janome Cat Fancy Easy-to-Use Sewing Machine with Interior Metal Frame, Bobbin Diagram, Tutorial Videos, Made with Beginners in Mind!, Multi-Color

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!

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.

I am a beginner sewer. I have not used a sewing machine since high school. I watched the videos links that came with the machine to learn how to thread and use the machine and we are on our way to sewing lots of treasures! I was worried about threading the machine, specifically the bobbin. I have had no trouble.

Very nice little machine

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!

Please bear in mind, I haven't yet used the Janome Artic Crystal sewing machine, so I can only address it's appearance, but, while being encouraged by positive reviews of the machine that I had read from experienced sewers, it was the machine's appearance that sealed the deal. Instead of being just another white machine, this Janome was the same color as the flashy 1959 Dodge Lancer coupe my parents once owned. I fell in love with the Janome at first glance. That said, those reviews I read makes me think that this will be an excellent machine for a beginner, like me, to learn the craft.

It’s very pretty, but it arrived broken. The machine sews with extremely loose tension no matter where I set the tension dial, and there’s no difference in the thread pull when I lower the presser foot after threading. I know I followed the directions every time and I watched their threading tutorial to be sure, but it just won’t balance tension. I like the stitch options and the mechanical adjustments, but it’s kind of useless without being able to adjust tension.

I love it. Instructions are simple. I'd buy this machine over and over.