So, you decided it’s time to give your sewing station a little upgrade with a fully-featured, computerized sewing machine, but you’re worried it might cost you a small fortune?
You came to the right place!
Now, I believe that there’s no need for a special introduction of Janome as a brand. I’d like to take a moment to introduce you to one of their models that blew me away, both performance and price-wise – the Janome JW8100.
And while the brand Brother is known for their budget-friendly sewing machines, a model like the one I just mentioned might be a tough one to beat!
Check out my detailed Janome JW8100 review, and you’ll see what I mean!
The Janome JW8100 Sewing Machine Specs at a Glance
First things first, right? So, before you go any further, take a quick look at this chart with a brief overview of the Janome JW8100 specs:
Okay, now that you’ve got a basic idea of what the Janome JW8100 has to offer, it’s about time to get up close and personal with its features!
Janome JW8100: Top Features Worth Considering
The Janome JW8100 is a fully computerized sewing machine that is jam-packed with handy, user-oriented features.
Here’s a breakdown of all the essential ones!
100 Built-In Stitches
The Janome JW8100 features a whopping 100 built-in stitches – 20 basic stitches, 18 quilting stitches, 28 home décor stitches, 27 heirloom stitches, as well as the additional seven buttonhole ones – which is impressive by any standard. Whether you’re a complete newbie or a pro, with this many built-in stitching options, the possibilities are pretty much endless!
A Total of 6 Snap-On Presser Feet
The sewing machine comes with six additional presser feet with a snap-on design that allows you to change them quickly with nothing more than a touch of your fingertip. Besides the general purpose foot, you’ll find that the quarter-inch, satin stitch, zipper, automatic buttonhole, and even-feed foot are there, too.
Top-Loading Drop-In Bobbin System
The Janome JW8100 features a top-loading bobbin system, which means that the bobbin is inserted in its case near the needle plate, instead of one located on the front of the sewing machine. Moreover, the bobbin cover is transparent, so you can keep an eye on things without interrupting your work.
Tons of Useful Accessories
Included in the offer is the accessories bundle, complete with a hard protective cover, a needle set and a pin cushion, large and small spool holders, and an extra spool pin, a lint brush, a screwdriver, a foot controller, a power cord, and an instructions manual. But the most important accessory is probably the extra-wide extension table that lets you handle more extensive projects, such as quilting, too.
Other Features to Expect from the Janome JW8100
Besides the main features mentioned above, there are a few more things that could make this Janome JW8100 model worth your while:
- Backlit LCD screen
- Auto-declutch bobbin winder
- Seven-piece feed dog
- One-handed needle threader
- Manual thread tension control
- Automatic optimal stitch width and length settings
- Memorized Needle Up/Down position
- Start/Stop, Reverse, and Locking Stitch button
- Extra high presser foot lift
- Specialty needle plate
- Removable stitch chart
- Removable storage compartment for free arm sewing
- 25-year limited warranty
My Detailed Janome JW8100 Review
The Janome JW8100 might seem a bit basic-looking at first glance – except for the LCD screen, of course – but once you start playing around with it, you uncover tons of handy features and customizations that work together to bring your sewing game to the next level.
The first thing I noticed here is that the heavy-duty, metal interior frame lends this model some much-needed durability, sturdiness, and stability. Surprisingly enough, it doesn’t affect its weight drastically:
Weighing less than 13 pounds this sewing machine is still relatively lightweight – and portable, too!
Now, as you know by now, this is a fully-featured computerized sewing machine, which means that making adjustments is often as simple as pressing a button. You focus on the creativity – and the sewing machine takes care of the rest.
Of course, the distinct feature here is the LCD screen. It’s located on the unit’s far right, which, after getting a chance to use the Janome DC1050, was a bit of a downer. However, all the essential buttons are located in easy-to-reach places – either under the display or in the central area of the sewing machine – so, using it is a pretty straightforward experience.
The sewing machine lets you choose among 100 built-in stitches – from basic and quilting ones to heirloom and home décor stitches, as well as seven buttonhole ones. That level of versatility lets you dip into, and explore new heights of your creativity, all at a push of a button!
More importantly, though, the quality of the stitches is impressive, too – the unit delivers consistent results, even when it’s running at max speed, which is a significant advantage.
Speaking of speed, at 850 stitches per minute, this one packs a serious punch. You don’t always have to use it at top speed, though – the speed control slider allows you to set it up to a pace that feels the most comfortable to you. That’s not the best part, though:
While it comes with a standard foot controller, you also have the option of using the Start/Stop button, which is quite handy if you don’t have a lot of room under your sewing table.
Plus, it comes with a handy extra-wide extension table and the free arm feature, you can use as much or as little surface area as you need, depending on your projects.
And while I understand that a chart with 100 stitching options might be a bit hard to fit on the sewing machine itself, the removable card can be easy to misplace – so, try and keep it nearby at all times. That extra step of attaching the card before you start can be a bit annoying, but that’s more of an inconvenience than an actual product flaw.
The only real complaint I have is that it doesn’t feature a thread cutter.
I know, it seems like I’m just nitpicking here because a pair of scissors will do just fine, but when you’re using a sewing machine as advanced as Janome’s JW8100 model, it all comes down to these minor inconveniences.
Here’s the best part:
Even with all the features that it brings to the table, the JW8100 still falls in the budget-friendly range – and if that’s not fantastic news, I don’t know what is!
Janome JW8100: Weighing the Pros & Cons
Pros
- The LCD screen with easy-to-access controls
- The heavy-duty metal frame seems sturdy and durable
- Comes with 100 built-in stitches
- Equipped with lots of convenience features
- All vital accessories included in the box
- Handles thicker fabrics and larger projects well
- Lightweight and portable
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- The removable chart is easy to misplace
- Doesn’t have a thread cutter
- Can be a bit noisy at times
Final Verdict
Janome knows how to make a well-designed, durable sewing machine at an affordable price, and one that will win you over in an instant, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced seamstress.
There’s a reason why Janome’s been one of the sewing industry’s favorites for so long – and the Janome JW8100 is the perfect example of it.
So, if there’s anything I’d like you to take away from this Janome JW8100 review, it’s that the possibilities are pretty much endless with this model sitting on your sewing table. It’s one of those models that will inspire both beginner and experienced sewers to grow and work on their skills with ease!
I’d like to hear any thoughts, as well as experiences you’ve had with this exceptional sewing machine, so leave a comment below if you feel like sharing them with the rest of us!
I’d like to know the size of the throat area. And any opinions on if it’s roomy enough to do quilting, especially free-motion quilting.
Dear Teresa, thank you for your question.
Yes, it is roomy enough to do free-motion quilting. However, you will have to purchase a free motion foot separately because the machine does not come with one. The foot costs around $55.
Once you have the free motion foot installed, you drop the feed dogs using the switch on the back of the machine. The user manual shows exactly where the feed dog switch is.
Here’s an image of the throat area, so you can check the dimensions. Also, do not forget to check out my dedicated article on 30 best quilting machines for this year. Love, Mary.