After much deliberation, I treated myself to a new sewing machine. Since I sew a lot, I thought it was important to buy a high-quality machine. Read all about my experience with the Janome Horizon 8200 Memory Craft in this review.
Janome Horizon 8200 Memory Craft | Review & Experience
In the unboxing article, I showed you what all comes with the Janome.
This article goes into more depth and tells you about my practical experience with the new sewing machine.
This is, of course, an independent review: I bought the machine myself and only recommend it to you because I have tested it extensively in everyday use over a long period of time.
In general, I only recommend things that I am truly convinced by.
Would you also like to buy a sewing machine or are you wondering how you can find the right sewing machine ? Then read my other articles on this topic.
If you are looking for a new sewing machine, feel free to check out my other reviews as well:
What is the sewing machine called?
It is called the Janome Horizon 8200 Memory Craft.
What does the sewing machine look like?
It looks a bit "industrial"; I like that because I don't really like gimmicks on sewing machines - and don't necessarily need them either. I prefer more useful features, less frills. :)
How much did the Janome sewing machine cost?
It cost around 1200 euros.
Where was the sewing machine bought? Is it only available there?
I bought the Janome from a local Janome dealer. However, you can also get it from Amazon*, sometimes a little cheaper than at the local dealer.
Who manufactures the Janome?
Originally, the Janome machines come from Japan (thank you for the tip, Sandra!). Janome sewing machines have been manufactured there industrially since 1936.
In 1979, Janome created the world's first computer-controlled sewing machine. And since the eighties, Elna has also been part of the Janome corporate group. In terms of design, the two sisters don't have much in common. Take a look:
*(A personal note: In one of my favorite fabric stores, you can test Elnas - not only overlockers but also sewing and embroidery machines. If Donna hadn't so explicitly advised me to go with Janome, it might have become an Elna. By the way, Elna is also often represented at fabric markets. That is also a good opportunity to take a closer look at the machines...)
For a long time, Janome machines were valued above all in the USA. Now Janome is also a permanent part of the product range of many sewing machine shops in Germany.
However, the brand's popularity in the USA continues to be huge.
Why did you choose the Janome?
During our sewing trip to the USA, we met quilter and quilt shop owner Donna in Kingman, Arizona. She made us aware of the Janomes - she is so convinced by them that she specifically took a Janome repair course. This allows her to repair her customers' machines. That is a good service, because the nearest repair options would be several hours away in Phoenix or Flagstaff.
Donna really likes Janomes and could only smile tiredly at my statement that I sew on a Brother.
So I looked into Janome a little more intensively. After much deliberation, I was convinced that the 8200 met my sewing needs exactly.
How big is the Janome sewing table?
It is 42 x 62 centimeters.
Does the Janome have decorative stitches?
Quite a few. Among others, three different alphabets with special characters:
The decorative stitches look like this, for example:
Is the machine worth its money?
Definitely! The machine is very well made, there are no weak points.
What accessories were included?
The included accessories are also high-quality. I photographed everything that was included while unpacking. You can find the Janome unboxing article here.
How much do additional accessories cost?
There are a lot of accessories for Janome - unfortunately, not all of them are very cheap...
Alternatively, you also have the option to buy, for example, presser foot sets* that do not come from the brand manufacturer, but are still supposed to work well according to everything you hear. Also read my post about presser feet and their use.
I had one of these for my Brother machine and was very satisfied with it. It costs about as much as two presser feet from the brand manufacturer in total... ;)
Which accessory do you absolutely need? Are you planning further accessory purchases? Where do you order them?
Because I also like to make larger quilt and patchwork projects and sew clothes, a large extension table, like I already had with my Brother sewing machine, is important to me. It helps to keep the fabric nicely laid out while sewing and prevents it from pulling. I also need the workspace when I want to quilt large blankets, for example.
I will order a Teflon foot, a stitch-in-the-ditch foot, and a bias tape foot.
Where can you have the sewing machine repaired? Is the repair expensive?
I can have the sewing machine repaired at the specialty store where I bought it. However, you can also contact Janome and send the machine in after getting their approval.
I cannot say yet whether the repair is expensive.
Does the Janome have a manufacturer's warranty?
In addition to the statutory warranty, the Janome offers a total of 5 years warranty.
Is the user manual detailed and easy to understand?
The one from the Brother was already good, the one from the Janome is a little bit better. Not overly complicated, but very practical and easy to understand.
And upon closer reading, it gradually became clear to me what a gem I had brought into my home... ;)
Does the Janome have a knee lifter?
Yes, it does. At first, it seemed completely superfluous to me. For about half a day. After that, we became great friends. It can be adjusted individually. And it is controlled with a slight sideways movement of the right leg. This leaves both hands free for sewing.
Who is the machine suitable for?
Definitely for ambitious beginners - but above all for people who are serious about sewing and value great results. I would not buy the Janome as an entry-level model into the world of sewing if I don't yet know whether I will really stick with it.
I know that this Janome is used by several costume designers at theaters because it is so fast and professional.
How big is your sewing machine? How much does it weigh?
50 cm wide and 32 cm high.
It weighs a proud 12.6 kilos!
Is the Janome easy to transport, e.g. when you go to a sewing café?
It is clearly too heavy for that. And I am not weak! ;)
How easy is it to clean the Janome? Are there areas that are difficult to reach?
Thanks to the throat plate, which can be opened with a simple click mechanism, cleaning is a breeze. THAT is innovative!
Is the Janome easy to use?
Very easy - and largely intuitive. For special tasks, however, I like to use the really easy-to-understand manual.
After about 1/2 hour of tinkering, operating it was no longer an issue!
The display is very clear. However, the presser foot lever is quite high up, I have to get used to it. But I usually control the presser foot with my knee anyway. :)
How loud is the machine?
For having such an industrial look, it is really pleasantly quiet.
Is the sewing machine's work area well lit?
The work area is equipped with 3 LED lamps. I think the lighting is great!
Compare it: What sewing machine did you use before? Are there differences?
Before I had this machine:
This is the Brother innov-is 100 Prime Edition*. I was totally satisfied with it for three years. I still use it.
It could be threaded a little more easily than the Janome. With 860 stitches per minute, it was, however, significantly slower compared to the 1000 stitches of the Janome.
Overall, the Brother looks a little more playful, not as businesslike as the Janome.
And significantly lighter. With that one, I could easily set up at a sewing café. That is also why I kept it: The Janome is too heavy for me to quickly hoist into the car...
A very important difference: The Janome throat plate can be opened with a click and the inside then cleaned. With the Brother, I first had to remove 3 screws and then the throat plate. That was annoying...
Do you miss any feature on the Janome?
The threader on my old Brother was more convenient. I miss it a little sometimes. But I am now also fine with the threader on the Janome. It took 1 - 2 days, though... :)
What do you mainly sew with the Janome?
Everything you can also see on SewSimple: Pillows, blankets, children's items, bags, things for the home. But by far my absolute favorite are cosmetic bags!
Have you noticed any weak points on the machine?
Not on the machine itself. However, I have now heard several times that the legs on the large extension table I bought with it tend to break off and that you have to treat it like a raw egg.
Otherwise, I have never sewn with a more robust machine.
Are there sewing tasks that the Janome cannot easily handle?
We have only known each other for about 4 weeks, and during this - admittedly very intensive - getting-to-know-each-other phase, I haven't noticed any challenge that the Janome couldn't master.
Are there features you find superfluous?
I don't necessarily need 3 alphabets. Instead, a few more of the really aesthetic decorative stitches, of which it already has some, would not have been bad.
How fast does the Janome sew? Is the stitch picture still clean even then?
With 1000 stitches per minute, the Janome is already playing in the professional league! The stitch picture is flawless even when sewing fast.
Can the machine also handle thick fabrics, quilt sandwiches, and tight curves?
For such special tasks, this Janome comes standard with a narrow and a wide walking foot.
In addition, you can set the height of the presser foot in 2 steps. In the higher position, many layers of fabric and batting can be processed without problems.
It also sews tight curves great, it is really nimble!
How cleanly does the Janome sew seam starts?
Like every sewing machine I know, the Janome does not like to have to handle a bulge right at the start of the seam. The walking foot and a piece of fabric folded several times, which is placed behind the needle, help with that.
Then it works!
How does the Janome sew leather?
Very well with a leather needle. The machine has very convincing punching power.
And stretchy fabrics like jersey or knitwear?
I generally like to sew jersey with the overlocker. But in the test, the Janome did well!
Overall verdict: How many points would you give the sewing machine on a scale of 1 (less good) to 5 (very good)? Would you buy the Janome again?
After a few hours of sewing, I am still as enthusiastic as at the beginning!
The Janome has really exceeded my expectations in many respects - and my enthusiasm grows with every sewing task that it masters with flying colors!
I am not a professional seamstress, but because I spend a lot of time at the sewing machine through SewSimple, quality is important to me. Against this background, the Janome is exactly the right machine for me.
My conclusion
Because I am really satisfied and the performance of the Janome always positively surprises me anew, I give it 5 out of 5 points!
Where can I order the Janome?
You can get the Janome Horizon among other places at Amazon*.
Happy simple sewing,
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