Which sewing machine would you buy?

[queenofwandss]

I have an opportunity to buy a new sewing machine (yay!) but it must be from John Lewis as I have vouchers.
I am not completely experienced but certainly not a beginner. I currently have borrowed an old Janome and have always learnt on Janome both at school and then when I did an adult education class.
I particularly want to do patchwork and quilting, as well as some simple dress making and repairs. I have been looking for one that has the ability to drop the feed dogs and all of these do have that. Any words of wisdom? I don’t know whether I would like a computerised one or not.

Janome 7025

Janome M30A computerised machine

Janome Home Decor Excel

Wow lucky you to have the choice! Janome are great machines. These all seem to come with a different package of extra feet, but you can get non-branded feet that will fit quite cheaply if there's something specific you want. They all do a one-stop buttonhole.

The feature I wouldn't be without now is the 'needle up/down' function, really useful - the only one that specifically says it has this is the M30A computerised one. Top-loading bobbin is also useful, the 7025 has this and I think the M30A (can't quite tell) - that would be my preference, much easier to slot in and out and with a see-through cover you can spot when you are about to run out of thread.

There's honestly no substitute for going to see these in person and getting a feel for them, if you can do that. If you've got the budget, I'd go for the computerised one but I think the other two would be fine as well. They all have a range of stitches, and in my experience you will never use more than three of these!

Happy sewing.

Thank you, yes I am extremely lucky. This will be the first sewing machine that has actually been mine and I am hoping it will be a workhorse as has the one I have borrowed.

Unfortunately the nearest JL shop is about 3 hours away from me now, but we do have some shops that sell Janome machines so I shall go and see if they have any of these models to see properly before I bite the bullet.

Thank you for taking the time to look at them for me I am very grateful!

Honestly, at this price point I’d actually steer clear of the computerised model.

A drop in bobbin has its uses but a front loading bobbin is known to make a nicer stitch. Janome are excellent machines, I’ve had several. You will almost certainly love it regardless of which machine you get.

I have the 7025 for nearly 20 years and love it - even made my wedding dress on it! I also wouldn’t bother with a computerised machine - my mum’s (expensive) one failed and she replaced it with a 7025.

I e had a look at the specs for the machines. I’d go for the 7025. The decor excel says it’s only suitable for light to medium weight fabrics but the 7025 can be used in more heavy weight fabrics. You might struggle to make a pair of jeans on it but it will go through a couple of layers of denim.

it has a one step buttonhole (something that I LOVE) and a good number of stitches. I wouldn’t touch a modern singer if it was the last machine on earth.

I have got both the M30A and the 7025. I love them both. The 7025 is very robust and handles most things but doesn’t have handy features such as the needle up/down. The M30 doesn’t handle thicker layers as well but it is super lightweight and perfect for taking to classes. I do patchwork mostly.

I think you may struggle to get a full size quilt through the harp space on the 7025 and the Home Decor Excel. I know computerised machines have more to go wrong but if the M30A does have more space, I'd get it for that.

Thanks for all the help. I went for the 7025 and have been having a go at patchwork on it. I have to say so far I am absolutely delighted.
Just thought I’d update incase anyone found this thread!

Welcome to the dark side @queenofwandss , you'll be obsessed very soon.