Janome Skyline S7 Review

Janome Skyline S7 Sewing and Quilting Machine Review

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The Janome Skyline S7 represents a popular unit for serious sewers who want to create nice handmade garments, home décor items, accessories, quilts, and heirloom pieces.

Janome Skyline S7 Review

It’s loaded with many features and a super large working space to meet the needs of advanced, creative sewers. However, it’s easy to use for beginners and intermediate users as well.

It’s ideal for mid-level seamstresses who want to boost their projects and grow their skills along with a decent machine. Janome is focused on making high-quality, affordable units.

Their Janome Skyline S7 is one of them. It includes 240 built-in stitches and 11 1-step buttonholes. It also has 7 alphabets and an AcuFeed Flex feeding system.

Designers & quilters will enjoy the automatic presser foot lift and this feeding system. Your buttonholes can be adjusted for stitch density, stitch width, and buttonhole opening.

The 7 alphabets also can be adjusted up to 9mm width with a revised letter shape and size for improved balance and realism. This is just a small portion of what this unit has to offer.

The new LED color touchscreen enables easy navigation through all these features. If you want to learn more about this machine, keep on reading.

Without any further ado, let’s jump into my Janome Skyline S7 review and determine if this popular unit can satisfy your sewing needs and meet your requirements.

Product Specifications

Dimensions:19 x 12.5 x 9.25 inches
Weight:24 pounds
Warranty:25-year limited warranty
Built-in stitches:240
Automatic needle threader:Advanced
Workspace:8.25 x 4.7 inches
Extra high presser foot liftYes
Feed systemAcuFeed Flex
Stitch selectionTouch screen

Overall Review

One of the impressive things you can accomplish with this model is making custom stitches from scratch with the Stitch Composer Stitch Making program.

Using your computer or laptop, this program allows you to quickly transfer personalize stitches to your S7. Afterward, you can choose and stitch with them regularly.

The Janome Skyline S7 makes the ideal sewing machine for your future projects because it’s loaded with advanced features like the AcuFeed Flex feeding system.

This system enables you to feel your fabric moving underneath the needle with excellent precision. The intuitive LED full-color touch screen allows you to use all the features with ease.

You can navigate your 240 built-in stitches, 7 alphabets, and buttonholes fast and easy. However, what I appreciate the most is the automatic needle threader.

Watch video: Janome Skyline S7 Automatic Needle Threader

It’s a new advanced needle threader that you can operate with one hand only. It comes with a boosted design and smooth action that provides effortless threading every time.

Another feature that I appreciate is the automatic presser foot lift. Once you have utilized a unit with an automatic presser foot lift, you will ask yourself how you lived without it.

Other features include a thread cutter, a locking stitch, needle up/down, and a start/stop switch. The S7 also has a USB port for inserting stitches and snap-on presser feet.

It also has a memorized needle up/down, a bobbin winding plate with a cutter, easy set bobbin, a 1-step needle plate conversion, a variable zig zag for free motion quilting, and so on.

As you can notice, it’s a feature-rich sewing unit that will not only improve your sewing projects but also your skills. It’s affordable, well-built and brings great value for money.

Watch video: How to Free Motion Quilt on a Janome Skyline S7

First Impressions

To be completely honest, I couldn’t notice any difference between the Skyline S7 and Skyline S5 at first sight. However, there is a big difference in the features.

For example, Skyline S7 comes with an advanced needle threader.

The needle threader in S5 moved the thread from left to right. The needle threader moves to the front of the needle on the Skyline S7.

Also, the Skyline S7 features an AcuFeed Flex feeding system while the Skyline S5 has the Superior Feed System Plus. The stitch selection process is also different.

The Skyline S7 features a new LED color touch screen you can use to select your stitches. The Skyline S5, on the other hand, has direct selection switches.

Another important difference is the number of stitches. Skyline S5 comes with 170 utility and decorative stitches and 10 1-step buttonholes.

The Skyline S7 has 240 built-in stitches and 11 1-step buttonholes. It also has an onboard stitch selection guide inside the top lid.

The USB port is situated on the right column with the power switch and balance wheel. When you open the lid, you will notice the bobbin and thread wilder along with guides.

One thing that picked my interest was the location of the drop feed control level. It’s placed on the right side of the unit, underneath the balance wheel instead of being hidden.

Underneath the Skyline S7, you will notice the LED lights and workspace with an oversized needle plate. The plate is easily detachable. You can remove it using one hand only.

The Skyline S7 comes with 2 needle plates. One is for working with decorative and zig-zag stitches, while the other one is intended for straight stitches.

Winding the bobbin and threading the Janome Skyline S7 are effortless. If you have threaded a modern machine before, you won’t experience any difficulties.

It’s perfect for both serious sewing and quilting. The safety lock is one of the best features of this unit. It will keep you safe while changing the needle plate or threading the needle.

Once you have the unit threaded and the bobbin in spot, the next thing is to choose a stitch from one of the 6 onboard utility and decorative stitch menus.

The thread tie-off/cut options and needle up/down position can be reprogrammed to decrease the time and boost the efficiency of sewing machine tasks.

For today’s review, I tried multiple stitch options and realized that the stitch quality is superior to similar sewing and quilting machines in its range.

S7 can handle different types of fabric including natural fibers like wool, linen, and cotton, leather, knits, fine fabrics like velvet, taffeta, satin, and silk, and upholstery.

It can also handle synthetic fibers like velvet, taffeta, sating, and silk, denim, canvas, rubber, rubber, fur, plastic, multiple layers of fabric and extra dense fabrics.

Overall, Janome Skyline S7 is a superior quilting and sewing machine. It has a quiet operation that I love and shows no significant vibration at high speeds.

This could be a result of the folding work table.

This machine is set up on a folding work table instead of a sewing table. If it was placed on a more stable spot like a desk or table especially designed to support units, there would be no vibration at all.

The Skyline S7 is a perfect choice for people who just entered the sewing world and show interest in this amazing craft. It’s suitable for children over 10 or 12 years of age.

Check out my detailed review of children-friendly sewing units, if you want to take a closer look at other popular sewing machines for kids.

Although it’s user-friendly and straightforward, I wouldn’t recommend it for a younger child because the advanced features could be overwhelming for younger sewers.

However, it would be ideal for adult sewers, teenagers and older kids who want to learn how to sew. It’s a sturdy sewing machine that will help you readjust to the sewing world if you had a break from sewing.

S7 provides a large workspace allowing users to complete small to medium size quilting tasks with ease. The onboard storage and free-arm make sewing even easier.

When compared to other similar machines like the Skyline S7, this model provides extra stitch options, a little more convenience, and advanced features.

In my opinion, the biggest difference between the Skyline S5 and S7 is the stitch selection process. Some users prefer to use a touchscreen while others like direct dials.

If you’re purchasing from an authorized Janome retailer in person, ask for a demonstration or compare the models yourself. I know that you will be amazed by both.

It depends on your personal needs and preferences which one you will choose. However, before making a final choice, I recommend that you read the features below.

The Skyline S7 is a popular sewing & quilting machine with advanced features, a user-friendly interface, and a wide selection of built-in stitches. It’s worth considering.

Watch video: Janome Skyline S7 Demonstration

Features of Janome Skyline S7

This model has the power needed for a serious sewist who prefers to make garments, quilts or bags. It’s a super-versatile machine that can handle multiple layers of fabrics.

However, it’s also capable of sewing delicate and light fabric for garment sewing. I am a serious quilter so I was amazed by the impressive quilting features of this machine.

However, it’s important to mention that this isn’t a quilting-focused machine. Still, it makes a great deal with all the features included. Similar machines cost more and give less.

This model is a true workhorse with 8 inches of throat space on the right of the needle and 4 inches on the left of the needle. It’s perfect for quilting and piecing.

Keep in mind that it’s not the most portable sewing machine on the market. You will not be able to take it to your sewing lessons or travels but it’s still worth considering.

One of the main things I love about Janome sewing machines is that I don’t have to spend extra money on additional feet and accessories. This unit has all you need to start sewing.

It comes with a 1/4’’ piecing foot and AcuFeed Flex walking foot for quilting as well. The foot pedal is big and stays put underneath the sewing table so you don’t have to chase it with your foot.

Although this isn’t a travel-friendly model, you can still take it on your travels. The cord can be wrapped up into the bottom of the pedal for storage which is another plus.

You will get 5 Janome bobbins with your Skyline S7 and other regular accessories such as a knee lift bar for rising your presser foot without hands.

There is also an automatic presser footswitch so you don’t even have to use the knee lift bar. This is one of the things you don’t know you need until you use it.

Janome sewing machines work with apps. You can find the apps on high-end modes. They make your job a lot easier by automatic settings on your unit.

For instance, if you’re sitting down and doing some patchwork, you can open the apps menu and select the Patchwork app by using the LCD touchscreen.

This application will automatically place the needle position in spot for a 1/4’’ seam. It will also shorten the stitch length to 1.8mm. You don’t have to memorize to do any of this.

In the bottom left corner, the unit tells you that you should use the O foot. It’s a 1/4’’ piecing foot. All these adjustments can be saved to your specifications as well.

In this application, Skyline S7 will also remember how far you’re working and ask if you want to repeat that length if you’re chain piecing.

It will stitch the length you need automatically, and then stop and raise the presser foot automatically. This makes chain piecing super easy.

This is one of the things that I love about this machine and one of the main reasons why I decided to buy it. I also love the LCD color touch screen and navigation.

It allows you to change settings fast and easy.

On your LCD touch screen, there is a menu with all your stitch categories, length and width adjustments, thread tension and presser foot pressure.

The speed control slider is also worth mentioning. It makes switching speeds easy while sewing. If you’re into advanced features, you will love the AcuFeed Flex.

Watch video: Janome Skyline S7 - Attaching your Accufeed to the machine

As I already said, it’s an advanced feeding system that feeds different types of fabrics without shifting or slipping. There is also the 1-step needle plate conversion.

It allows for easy cleaning and changing needle plates. The needle threader is another advanced feature you will love. It has a number thread guide and ensures easy threading.

If you have experience in threading modern sewing machines, you won’t experience any difficulties with this model. Threading the Skyline S7 is a breeze.

It also features a needle up/down switch, an automatic presser foot lift, an auto-locking off stitch and an easy reverse to help you complete your projects faster.

Other features include a USB port for inserting stitches, top-loading full rotary hook, an advanced built-in needle threader, 240 built-in stitches, and 11 1-step buttonholes.

You will also get 7 alphabets, a memorized needle up/down, an automatic presser foot lift, AcuFeed Flex feeding system, and a stitch composer stitch making program.

This model has an automatic thread tension, easy set bobbin, snap-on presser feet, easy bobbin winding plate with a thread cutter, 1-step needle plate conversion and so on.

Other accessories include an automatic buttonhole foot, a blind hem foot G, a darning foot, an overedge foot M, a rolled hem foot, a satin stitch foot, and a zipper foot E.

It also includes a seam ripper, a semi-hard cover for protection and an extra-large foot controller. As you can notice, this machine is feature-loaded. It has all you need to sew like a pro.

However, every unit has its pros and cons. And since there is no such thing as a ‘perfect sewing machine’ let’s take a closer look at the benefits and downfalls of Skyline S7.

Watch video: Janome Skyline S7 - More Settings to Explore

Pros of Janome Skyline S7

The Skyline S7 is a popular computerized sewing and quilting machine.

It’s been desired by passionate quilters and sewers for years which makes you wonder what is so special about this machine?

For starters, it has a wide selection of stitches. If you buy this unit, you will get 240 built-in stitches along with 11 1-step buttonholes and seven alphabets.

However, this is just an appetizer for what is coming. The Skyline S7 sells out fast because of the quiet operation, advanced features, and many accessories.

It’s perfect for both serious sewing and quilting. The safety lock is one of the best features of this unit. It will keep you safe while changing the needle plate or threading the needle.

The updated AcuFeed Flex feeding system is another advantage that users appreciate.

As I already said, it’s an advanced feeding system that feeds different types of fabrics without shifting or slipping. There is also the 1-step needle plate conversion.

It allows for easy cleaning and changing needle plates. The needle threader is another advanced feature you will love. It has a number thread guide and ensures easy threading.

If you have experience in threading modern sewing machines, you won’t experience any difficulties with this model. Threading the Skyline S7 is a breeze.

Watch video: How to Thread a Janome Sewing Machine

They also like the new LCD color touch screen and easy stitch selection.

To sum it all up, the Skyline S7 is a superior quilting and sewing machine with minimal vibration. It feels sturdy and stable because it’s situated on a folding work table.

The Skyline S7 is a perfect choice for people who just entered the sewing world and show interest in this amazing craft. It’s suitable for children over 10 or 12 years of age.

Cons of Janome Skyline S7

The Skyline S7 includes a semi-hard case which is no more than a heavy canvas cover with a weird top. It is one of the things that consumers despise.

It doesn’t feature fasteners and would offer real protection when transporting in a car. It’s not the best case for this machine. I have to agree on this matter.

I have seen better cases for sewing machines that provide better protection. Also, the dial-feed needs a separate, designed foot and the toes of that foot are very wide.

They do provide an optional “single-wide” dual-feed foot. However, I haven’t purchased that yet. What is not included is a narrow, traditional foot for straight stitching.

This is weird because a straight needle plate is included along with a zig-zag plate.

Why Choose the Janome Skyline S7?

The Skyline S7 is a long-lasting, durable sewing and quilting machine.

It’s going to last you for a very long time. You’re receiving cutting edge features with this machine so you don’t need to purchase something else in a couple of years.

The Skyline S7 has a metal construction. If you’re looking for a sewing unit that will stay by your side for a long time, look no further than this one. It will save you time and money.

You’re getting all the amazing accessories and features on the Skyline S7. You won’t need to spend extra money on additional accessories. This baby has all you need to start sewing right away.

Also, the stitch quality is impressive. This model is what you need in a sewing machine. You’re not going to struggle with the tension. The auto-tension on the Skyline S7 is impressive.

You also won’t have to worry about finishing different projects with this machine. It can handle different types of fabrics including multiple layers of fabric or extra dense fabrics.

All you have to do is press the application to help and start sewing. To wrap it up, people love this model because it’s modern, versatile, and affordable.

It’s not the cheapest sewing machine on the market. However, the price is right for the features it offers. Overall, it’s one of the best sewing machines available in 2021.

Final Thoughts

Newcomers to the craft can easily learn how to sew with this model, including children.

An experienced seamstress or beginners won’t have issues adjusting to the features found on this great, affordable unit. You can find for less than$3,000 and enjoy the benefits that this workhorse has to offer.

The workspace of this machine is big, allowing you to handle small to medium size tasks with great ease, while the onboard storage and free arm make your work a lot easier.

In comparison to Skyline S7, the Skyline S7 offers a few extra stitch options, better stitch quality and it is easier to use. Hopefully, you find my Janome Skyline S7 informative and useful.

Have you ever used the Skyline S7? What is your opinion on it? Would you recommend it? Please, drop a comment below and let me know!

4 thoughts on “Janome Skyline S7 Sewing and Quilting Machine Review”

    1. Hello Phyllis, thanks for reaching out. Can you give me an idea of the info you need so I can craft a better response? What would you like to know about this machine that’s not mentioned in the review?

      Have a lovely day and stay safe.

      Love, Mary.

    1. Dear Kaviyarasi,

      Thank you for trusting my advice.

      If you’re a beginner, please check my best sewing machines for beginners reviews and pick the one that responds to your sewing needs.

      If you’re interested in Janome, please check my best Janome sewing machine reviews. The Janome S7 is more suitable for intermediate sewers.

      Please, watch these sewing lessons on YouTube. Or read my article on how to sew like a pro. Hopefully, my reviews can help you make a smart choice.

      Have a wonderful day and stay safe.

      Love, Mary.

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