When thinking of sewing units, Janome is the first name that pops up in my mind simply because it was the first brand to introduce machine embroidery to homes around the world.
Janome Memory Craft 350E is one of their embroidery-only machines for home use. At first sight, it does not look like the other sewing machines on the market.
However, if you take a closer look and review all the details about this machine, you will notice that it’s a basic embroidery machine with the same features you will find on other machines.
Those features include a beautiful backlit LCD screen, bright LED lights, and a ruler decal that is featured on the front cover of the unit. There is also a weird-looking metal protrusion behind the needle.
This is where you will be adding your embroidery hoop. This unit doesn’t come with an embroidery arm or a big extension table which are some of the common features on other embroidery machines.
Instead, you can lock your embroidery hoop by snapping it on and tightening a black knot. It’s as simple as that. Let’s jump into my Janome 350E review and take a closer look at this popular machine.
Product Specifications
| Dimensions: | 15 x 22 x 21 |
| Weight: | 27 pounds |
| Warranty: | 25-year limited warranty |
| Built-in designs: | 100 |
| Automatic needle threader: | Yes |
| Automatic thread cutter: | Yes |
| Hoop sizes: | 2 (large and standard) |
| Design files supported: | .jef |
First Impressions
Janome 350E represents a unit made for serious professionals. If you’re looking for an embroidery-only machine, look no further than this model by Janome.
It features 100 built-in embroidery designs, 2 and 3 letters monogramming, and 3 fonts. You will also get 2 hoop sizes (large 5.5 inches x 7.9 inches and standard 5 inches x 4.3 inches).
The large hoop is what matters for professionals because the larger the is the more freedom you have to express your creativity. This unit supports USB drive which is amazing.
You can easily download and copy different designs from the internet and insert them into your Janome. It also features an ATA PC card slot and a beautiful backlit LCD touch screen.
You can find most of the settings and controls on the touch screen. It’s user-friendly and intuitive. Once you choose a stitch, the touch screen will ask which hoop you’re going to use.
Next, it will present all the necessary information for that design including the number of colors involved and the time needed. As you can notice, the 350E is super easy to use.
Although this doesn’t sound like much, all the features in combination make the 350E a beautiful, user-friendly machine to use.
Overall Review
Janome 350E is a traditional embroidery-only machine for home use.
At first glance, it looks better than most embroidery machines out there. However, when you take a look at the features, you will realize that it’s just another good embroidery unit.
The only difference is that you will get a Janome instead of something made by less trusted brands. With Janome, you can never go wrong because they rarely release low-quality machines.
Their Janome 350E is no exception. It comes with a ruler decal placed on the front of the unit, bright LED lights, and a backlit LCD screen. As I said earlier, there is also a weird metal protrusion.
It’s located behind the needle and represents the spot where your embroidery hoop is added. It doesn’t include a big extension table or a bulky arm which is found on other embroidery units.
Instead, your hoop snaps on and is locked into place by tightening a black knob. It’s not something hard. On the contrary, it’s very easy. Threading the unit and winding the bobbin is also easy.
Beginners won’t experience issues with these tasks. All they need is minimal guidance to complete the processes perfectly.
This is where the similarity between working on the Memory Craft 350E and a regular embroidery model stops. You should select an embroidery design before proceeding.
You can choose from 100 built-in designs. However, you can also download and insert your own designs found online via the USB memory flash and ATA cards.
Slots for ATA cards and USB flash are situated on the right-hand side of the unit. The Janome embroidery arm is very different from all the rest but positioning the hoop is super easy.
Overall, the 350E model is one of the most user-friendly embroidery-only machines for home use you will find on the market.
Maybe it’s because the brand pioneered machine embroidery for the home seamstresses. Either way, we love Janome and hope that they will keep on making high-quality units in the future.
Let’s get back to the 350E. This machine also has decals on the work surface representing how the hoop is to be added. For this article, I selected a 3 letter monogram.
Keying my monogram into the screen only incorporated a couple of easy steps. You can pick from three regular monogram frames included in the 350E built-in designs.
Determining the correct one for the project requires only one touch of the fingertip. Adjusting the size and position of your design is also easy.
You can do it by toggling via a few clearly defined steps on the screen. Then, you can save it in memory. This is perfect for tasks like monogramming towels.
Once every setting is locked in, the only thing you need to do is press ‘start’ and let the machine handle the rest of the work.
If you select a multi-color design, the 350E stops at the end of each color run notifying you that it’s time for a switch of color.
Since my monogram was a single color design, I just sat back and watched as my frame and letters came to life right before my eyes.
When everything was completed, the unit cut the thread automatically.
I could select to stop the machine to snip threads between letters and frame elements or let it complete the whole design and snipping them when everything is completed.
This machine can handle different fabrics including natural fibers like cotton, wool, and linen, fine fabrics like satin, velvet, taffeta and silk, knits, upholstery, leather, canvas, and so on.
It can also handle synthetic fibers like polyester, rayon, and blends, plastic, rubber, super thick fabrics or multiple layers, and so on.
Features of Janome 350E
If you’re looking for a durable embroidery-only unit that allows you to complete different projects, look no further than Janome 350E. It’s a great monogramming unit.
I personally recommend it because it’s user-friendly and suitable for both beginners and professionals. At first glance, it looks complicated. However, it’s actually easy to use.
Unlike other machines on the market, this model is a simple embroidery-only without sewing abilities. If you’re focused on embroidery, this is the perfect machine for you.
Everyone wishes to buy the best embroidery unit. However with all that there is out there, choosing a good embroidery machine can be a daunting task. That is why I wrote this review.
My Janome 350E review is supposed to help you gain insight into this machine. Let’s take a closer look at some of the main features of this machine.
- Built-In Designs
In order to help the newbie begin with embroidery and make impressive creations, this model has over 100 built-in designs that can be utilized right outside the case. Also, you can choose from three different fonts along with 2 and 3 letters monogramming.
- Large Embroidery Space
This machine comes with 2 hoop sizes including a large 5.5 inches x 7.9 inches and a standard 5 inches x 4.3 inches.
- Easy Design Transfer and Compatibility
The 350E allows you to insert your own designs via USB or ATA PC card and help you bring your designs to live with supported format/extension being .jef.
- Easy Editing and Adjustment of Designs
When compared to other embroidery-only machines, the Janome 350E stands out because of the user-friendly features like the backlit LCD screen.
The touch screen guides you through the process of editing your designs. It has on-screen functions for editing that allow you to enlarge, reduce, drop, drag, zoom and rotate.
- A Built-In Threader and Fast Embroidery Speed
This embroidery machine has a maximum embroidery speed of 650 stitches per minute. It also features an automatic thread cutter and a built-in threader for effortless work.
- Embroidery Arm
The embroidery arm is slightly different from embroidery arms you will find on other units but the hoop can be easily attached.
I have reviewed a lot of embroidery units available on the market and I can honestly say that this model is one of the simplest machines you’re going to find.
Maybe it’s because the company was focused on making a unit for embroidery only that could be used by home sewing enthusiasts.
The Janome 350E also comes with decals that explain how the hoop needs to be placed properly which is very helpful in my opinion.
- Maintenance
Just like any high-quality embroidery machine, the 350E by Janome doesn’t require high maintenance. It doesn’t need any special care because it automates most processes.
- Replacement Parts
Most of the replacement parts for Janome 350E can be bought from the manufacturer directly. They’re available from either a wholesaler or authorized retailer of Janome.
You can buy replacement parts from Janome’s official website or search for them at Amazon. However, it is recommended that you take a closer look at the authenticity first.
Any non-genuine, low-quality component could not only prevent the machine from performing properly but also void the warranty.
- Accessories
The Janome 350E comes with a lot of standard accessories specifically made to make the home machine embroidery experience as enjoyable and efficient as possible.
Some of the accessories include 2 embroidery hoops (large and standard), 4 bobbins, extra spool pin, 2 spool holders, scissors, spool felt, extra needles, and a screwdriver.
You will also get a vinyl cover, instruction book, owner’s manual, instructional DVD and template sheets for all built-in designs which can be super useful for the absolute beginner.
Positive Sides of Janome 350E
Some of the biggest advantages of Janome Memory Craft 350 embroidery-only machine include:
- Easy Operation
One of the main reasons for purchasing electronic embroidery-only machines is how simple it is to use.
Janome 350E is no exception. Thanks to the backlit touch screen, you can easily set up your machine and edit your own designs effectively and easily.
The on-screen settings make everything a lot easier. If you’re a beginner, you will love the Janome 350E.
- Insert, Edit and Customize Your Designs With Ease
You can upload your own designs via ATC PC card or USB flash. The touch screen allows you to play with your designs. You can edit and customize them with great ease.
- Fast Stitching Speed With Impressive Quality
The stitching speed of 350E is 650 stitches per minute. It delivers precision stitches that save you time. If you want quality results every time, buy this machine immediately.
- Accurate Automatic Needle Threader
Most machines have automatic features just for the sake of it.
However, with this model by Janome, you can be sure that automatic functions like the needle threader will perform every time.
- Warranty
This machine is covered by a 25-year limited warranty.
The warranty covers defects either in the materials or the workmanship. It doesn’t cover the electrical and electronic parts.
In the first year, labor and replacements will be cost-free and borne by the producer. Afterward, you will be charged for the cost of the labor. However, the parts remain free.
Any transportation and/or postage that may be necessary has to be handled by the buyer. The warranty applied only for non-commercial usage of the unit.
It’s advised that you review this information with care and register your machine on the official website after purchasing to keep yourself updated with the warranty.
Negative Sides of Janome 350E
With all those advantages and features mentioned throughout my review till not, it can seem as if 350E is a perfect embroidery unit without negative sides.
However, every machine on the market has its flaws. The Memory Craft 350E is no exception. Let’s read some of the biggest disadvantages of this user-friendly unit.
- Low Bobbin and Associated Issues
Verified buyers have reported that the low bobbin doesn’t always perform best.
This is mostly because the note displayed remains only for a short period of time. It’s very likely that you will miss the message in between a complex embroidery project.
- Pre-Loaded Designs
There are multiple pre-loaded designs in the unit. However, it’s another question of how useful they really are. They’re basic and don’t cover much as you would expect.
- Display Screen and Associated Quality Switch
While using the LCD screen, the brightness, and quality change automatically. And it changes frequently. This is a big disadvantage since you may need to reset it during your projects.
- Lack of Support for Design Files
Another downfall that is worth mentioning is the lack of support for design files. The option for inserting your own design is great but the machine only accepts .jef files.
What People Think of Janome 350E?
As I mentioned earlier in my review, this machine is super easy to use. It performs great with all kinds of fabrics and materials.
A slight switch of the thread is all you need to do for working with them. All of the pre-installed designs can be utilized with the unit right out of the case.
Any custom designs can be downloaded and inserted either via USB or ATA PC card. In my opinion, 350E brings great value for money. The ability to upload my own designs is my favorite.
Sewers like the automatic thread cutter and the variety of hoop sizes.
The round F hoop is suitable for customizing towels and other thicker fabrics. However, I was very happy with the results I got using the Gigahoop.
They also say that the quiet operation and compact design make this machine great for home use. However, other users experienced issues with tension.
The 350E is highly recommended for seamstresses with passion for embroidery.
It’s perfect for people with eye problems because the changing of threads is super easy. People love the needle threader. They also love the user-friendly touch screen.
Apparently, it’s impressive and easy to use. They say that they would recommend this unit to users who have never used an embroidery-only machine. It’s reliable and efficient.
Overall, Janome 350E is a basic embroidery-only machine that does the job. If you’re looking for a unit with over 100 built-in designs and intuitive touch screen, look no further than 350E.
The price is also great. You don’t have to break your bank account to purchase this machine. This makes it even more suitable for beginners.
If you do not want to spend a lot of money on your first embroidery-only machine, you should definitely consider the Janome Memory Craft 350E.
Final Thoughts
The 350E is a great special purpose unit. And this is the only downfall of this model.
If your sewing station has limited space or you don’t have more space for more machines, then this is not the unit for you. However, if you’re passionate about machine embroidery and can accommodate a new machine, you should definitely consider the Janome 350E.
The pros of this machine outweigh the cons. I see no reason why anyone should skip this machine and look for something else. You have everything you need with the 350E.
It has a great stitch quality and superior workmanship. This model is a true workhorse that can handle a lot of different projects. It’s capable of working with many materials and fabrics.
I would recommend the 350E for people focused on embroidery. Since it does only one function, it does the job better than any combination sewing and embroidery machine on the market.
This machine is covered by a 25-year limited warranty.
The warranty covers defects either in the materials or the workmanship. It doesn’t cover the electrical and electronic parts.
The price is also acceptable. You can find the 350E for less than $2000. At first, you would think that it’s costly but if you take a look at all the features, you would understand the price.
Most single purpose machines cost more and bring less value for money.
It’s important to review different machines by different brands before you make a final choice and buy a single-purpose machine. However, you can never go wrong with Janome.
Although the 350E is suitable for newbies, it still has a learning curve. You will need some time to master this machine. However, if you’re persistent enough, you will do it quickly.
If machine embroidery is your passion and you want to complete different machine embroidery projects in a short amount of time, then Janome 350E is the perfect choice for you.
I am passionate about machine embroidery and I own a Janome 350E. I can assure you that you will not regret your purchase.
Hopefully, my Janome 350E review can help you determine if this is the right embroidery machine for you or not.
Have you ever used the Memory Craft 350E? If so, what is your opinion on it? Would you recommend it to anyone passionate about machine embroidery? Drop a comment and let me know.