Is your sewing or quilting hobby starting to take on a more serious note, and you’re looking for a sewing machine that could help you transition into the professional world without making things overly complicated?
If that’s the case, I’d say that the Janome Memory Craft 8900QCP is exactly what you need!
It’s feature-rich, yet easy to use, and it lets you unleash your creativity and launch your projects to new heights; it doesn’t get much better than this one.
Don’t take my word for it, though – my in-depth Janome Memory Craft 8900QCP review will show you what I mean!
Janome Memory Craft 8900QCP: Basic Info & Specs
Before we go on any further, I’d like to take a moment to show you the Janome Memory Craft 8900QCP’s basic specs, as listed in the table below:
Now that we’ve covered the basics, it’s time to check out the features – and my detailed Janome Memory Craft 8900QCP review!
Janome Memory Craft 8900QCP: Important Features
The Janome Memory Craft 8900QCP is jam-packed with features – it’s everything a computerized sewing machine should be, and then some!
Here, see for yourself!
Computerized Design with an LCD Touchscreen
The first and most prominent feature is, of course, the high-resolution LCD touchscreen, accompanied by a plethora of button controls and automated functions, such as pattern selection dial, stitch editing, stitch recall, and length and width adjustments, to name a few, all located on the right side of the sewing machine.
270 Built-In Stitch Patterns
Yes, you read that right – the Janome Memory Craft 8900QCP comes with a total of 270 built-in stitches! The massive collection of stitching patterns includes 11 one-step buttonhole stitches, as well as three different alphabet stitching patterns, which are perfect if you want to dabble in embroidery.
Detachable AcuFeed Flex System
Another feature worth noting here is the AcuFeed Flex system, which takes even feeding to the next level. Your stitching will be precise, uniform, and high-quality, top to bottom – even when you’re working with multiple layers of fabric at a time. It’s almost as if feed dogs are working on both sides of the material simultaneously!
14 Snap-On Specialty Presser Feet
The Janome Memory Craft 8900QCP comes with a collection of 13 specialty presser feet with a snap-on design, which includes a ¼-inch seam foot, overedge foot, rolled and blind hem feet, button sewing foot, two satin stitch feet (standard and open-toe), automatic buttonhole foot, darning foot, three types of free motion quilting feet, a zipper foot, and a dual-feed walking foot.
Bonus Accessories Kit
Besides the already mentioned snap-on presser feet, this sewing machine comes with a few more handy accessories that are bound to make the user experience even better. You get an extra-large foot controller, a cloth guide, an extension table, bobbins, a straight stitch needle plate, and an ultraglide needle plate and foot set, too.
Other Janome Memory Craft 8900QCP Features Worth Mentioning
As I already told you, the Janome Memory Craft 8900QCP is packed with features. So, here are a few more that make this model one of the best sewing machines around:
- Seven-piece feed dog
- The top-loading full rotary hook bobbin system
- Auto-declutch bobbin winder
- One-hand needle threader
- The automatic tension control system
- Automatic thread cutter
- Memorized Needle Up/Down position
- Locking stitch button
- Reverse stitching button
- Extra high presser foot lift
- Adjustable knee lifter
- Free arm sewing
- Pattern stitch length calculator
- Foot pressure adjustment
- Speed control slider
- Five built-in LED lights
- Plenty of storage space
- 25-year limited warranty
My Complete Janome Memory Craft 8900QCP Review
Janome as a brand is all about evolving, and taking the already high-quality, feature-rich models, such as the Janome Horizon Memory Craft 8200QCP I reviewed recently, and improving them even further, both feature and design-wise.
And what do you get when you amp up the already outstanding sewing machine that is the 8200QCP?
The Janome Memory Craft 8900QCP!
But what exactly makes this model better than its predecessor?
First off, there’s the mind-blowing collection of built-in stitching patterns – a total of 270 stitches, to be exact. And since the sewing machine allows for individual and combination stitch editing – and memorizes up to 50 stitch combinations – the possibilities are endless!
I’ve spent days playing around with them, and so far, I’m beyond impressed with the overall quality and accuracy – especially when using the AcuFeed Flex System, which is pretty much every quilter’s dream!
I love the idea of a “hidden” stitch pattern chart, too. It’s located on the lid of the upper storage space, which is neat because it still provides the ease of reference, but doesn’t take up space on the sewing machine’s front panel.
It’s not like there’s much space left on it, anyway – with the LCD touchscreen, all the button controls (and there are plenty), and stitch selection dial located on there, it’s pretty crowded as is.
Don’t let that scare you off – it’s still incredibly accessible to beginners. You might want to go through the manual first so that you don’t miss out on any of the time-saving features it has to offer, though.
The 11-inch arm and the extension table give you plenty of room for working on large projects, but it’s the adjustable knee lifter that tipped the scales for me – this one’s a perfect choice for quilting, too!
Now, due to the sheer weight and size of this model, it’s clear that it’s not meant to be a portable sewing machine, but I don’t think of it as a drawback – it is what it is.
With all this available workspace at your disposal, it’s evident that this is a sewing machine made to tackle large projects – and it has the speed of 1000 stitches per minute to prove it!
Speaking of speed, the Janome Memory Craft 8900QCP comes equipped with a Speed Control slider, which gives you more control for tricky and delicate projects, when sewing at the speed of light isn’t the way to go.
In addition to that, you have the option to choose between the Start/Stop button and the extra-large foot controller – and if you opt for the latter, know that the foot pressure is adjustable through the dial located underneath the top lid, too.
Although I don’t necessarily have any complaints about this model’s performance, I do have to mention one thing that kept bugging me when I first started using it – the button layout.
While all the available button controls make for a time-saving, user-friendly experience, their positioning might be a bit confusing – or even inconvenient – for anyone new to this sewing machine, let alone a complete beginner.
You’ll get used to it – but it will take some time.
Lastly, I should probably point out that it comes with a somewhat hefty price tag – but it’s worth every penny spent on it!
Janome Memory Craft 8900QCP: Weighing the Pros & Cons
Pros
- Has a total of 270 built-in stitches
- Memorizes stitching combinations
- Precise, high-quality stitching
- Five LED lights provide shadow-free lighting
- Plenty of sewing space with optional free arm sewing
- Quiet operation
Cons
- It’s expensive
- The button positioning takes some getting used to
Final Thoughts & Recommendations
If there’s one way to sum this entire Janome Memory Craft 8900QCP review up, it would be this:
The Janome Memory Craft 8900QCP is a dream to work with, whether you’re a sewer or a quilter – and no matter what your skill level is.
Sure, it’s expensive, but it’s one of those one-time investments that will save you both time and effort with its numerous features.
Plus, it lets you tap into new heights of creativity – and that makes it worth every penny in my book.
If you have any additional questions, the comment section is yours – and I’ll get back to you shortly!