Janome HD1000 Black Edition Sewing Machine Review

Are you an experienced or novice sewer looking for a sturdy sewing machine? Are you tired of plastic gears or your sewing machine jamming or malfunctioning frequently?

Or perhaps you are just looking for a new sewing machine that comes with a good amount of stitches and some great extras?

The Janome HD1000 Black Edition Sewing Machine (available on Amazon and Sewing Machines Plus) might just be the one for you.

It comes with an aluminum interior and exterior, a 25-year limited warranty, and 14 different stitches.

While there have been some user complaints about skipped stitches, and it not being able to handle bulkier fabric, why don’t we take a look for ourselves?

Let’s take a deep dive into the different features and functions of the Janome HD1000, and then you can decide if it is the right machine for you.

Janome HD1000: The Details

The Look

The Janome HD1000 sewing machine is a fairly basic-looking, rectangular machine.

It is a sleek, all-black (but comes in white too), shiny machine about the size of a smaller television.

At about around 17 lbs., this is one of the heavier machines, so it may not be the one you move from room to room or travel with.

Specs

• Weight: 16.8 lbs.
• Dimensions: 15.6 x 6.3 x 12.4 inches
• Stitches: 14 stitches with a 4-step buttonhole
• Speed: 840 stitches per minute
• Computerized/Mechanic: Mechanic
• Bobbin: front-loading bobbin
• Warranty: 25-year limited warranty

Accessories

• 4 snap-on presser feet, which include a general purpose foot, buttonhole foot, zipper foot, and blind hemming foot
• Bobbins
• Spool-pin Felt
• Hard cover
• Needle set
• Large screwdriver
• Small screwdriver
• Oil

Janome: The Brand

Janome is a Japanese company that was founded in 1921 by Yosaku Ose as The Pine Sewing Machine Factory, and then was renamed Janome in 1954.

Janome works to design both sewing machines and sergers that are easy-to-use, reliable, and made out of quality materials so the user can “make the most out of their creativity.”

They strive to provide the best customer service so that they have a loyal customer base.

The Warranty

The Janome HD1000 comes with a 25-year limited warranty.

The warranty protects the user against any problems they have with the “materials or workmanship, with the exception of electrical/electronic equipment, which is warranted for a period of two years from the date of original purchase.”

The first year you have the sewing machine, you will be able to receive replacements for any parts that are defective and any labor free of charge.

After the first year, any defective parts can be replaced for free, but you must pay for any labor that is needed to fix your Janome.

The warranty does not cover anything that happens because you don’t maintain or repair your machine, nor does it cover any damage caused by “normal wear and tear.”

The warranty also only applies to machines that are bought through an authorized Janome retailer.

Features

14 Built-In Stitches

The Janome HD1000 has 14 different stitches built into the machine.

They include the straight stitch, zig-zag stitch, knit stitch, stretch stitches, buttonhole, decorative, and many more.

To select a stitch, simply turn the pattern dial, and then you can turn the dial underneath that to select the length of the stitch you want.

Aluminum Construction

The Janome HD1000 is an industrial-grade machine with an aluminum interior frame and an aluminum exterior.

As there are no plastic parts that make up this machine, it is like the machines made years ago that lasted for generations.

Built-In Needle Threader

The Janome HD1000 also comes with a built-in need threader so you don’t have to thread the needle manually.

No need to get out your reading glasses or squint your eyes trying to see whether the thread has gone through the eye of the needle or not.

Manual Thread Tension Control

There is also a dial near the top of the machine, above the needle, that controls the tension on the thread. Tension is what keeps your top and bottom threads consistent.

You also want to make sure your top and bottom stitches are locking together, and the tension being off could be the cause for stitches not locking.

What the tension needs to be all depends on the type of thread you’re using, the fabric you’re sewing, and what you’re looking to achieve with your project.

Drop Feed With 3-Piece Feed Dogs

The Janome HD1000 drop feed includes a three-piece feed dog that allows for free motion sewing and makes quilting a much easier task.

It will also make sewing on buttons, darning, and stippling much easier. Quilters will LOVE this feature!

Reverse Lever

The HD1000 also has an easy lever for reverse stitching. This will allow you to stitch backwards to strengthen your stitches and make sure they don’t unravel.

This is especially helpful if you’re working on a project that is going to go through a lot of wear and tear or is going to go through a washing machine.

Thread Cutter

While a built-in thread cutter is not necessarily the most unexpected on a sewing machine these days, it’s an invaluable part of any machine.

Not having to stop every time you finish a seam or a hem to grab a pair of scissors to cut a thread can cut down on the time it takes to finish a product more than you may realize.

Janome HD1000 Black Edition Sewing Machine

The Positives

Can Sew Through Lots of Different Fabrics

With the Janome HD1000, you can sew through almost every fabric you are going to want to use.

You can sew through cotton, linen, wool, silk, satin, taffeta, velvet, medium to heavyweight knits, blends, rayon, polyester, upholstery, leather, denim, suede, fur, extra thick fabric, and multiple layers.

You won’t be limited by materials with this machine, meaning you’ll be able to tackle a variety of patterns and designs freely.

Sturdy and Durable

There’s a reason the Janome HD1000 can handle all these fabrics, it’s built strong, with an all-metal frame and a powerful motor.

As mentioned, don’t expect to bring this machine with you travelling or to class, but its weight makes it a great machine for those looking for a solid, long-lasting option.

Extra-High Presser Foot Lifter

You might be thinking why this is a positive. Well, it means you can put thicker fabric or multiple layers on the machine without having to try to force them under the presser foot (not a good idea.).

So, if you are sewing a quilt, or working on a seam or a corner that has multiple layers of thick fabric, you can adjust the presser foot to accommodate for all that fabric.

Good for Beginners and Professionals Alike

Since the Janome HD1000 has all the basics along with more advanced features, it is good for beginner sewers and those who have more experience.

Beginners will appreciate the basic stitches and the easy-to-read instructions and labels on the machine, while the more experienced sewer will appreciate the heavy-duty construction of the machine, the manual tension control, and the multiple feet that are included.

This also means newer sewers will be able to move on to more advanced projects with the Janome HD1000 without having to shell out more cash for another machine.

Customer Support

It was stated in multiple reviews on Amazon that Janome’s customer service is outstanding.

They take care of any problem you’re having either by sending you a replacement part or even walking you through the process to fix the machine yourself.

As long as you are within the time covered by the warranty, all replacement parts will be sent to you for free as well. Anyone who has experienced customer service that was less than stellar will tell you how important this is.

There are also a bunch of videos online to help you use the machine or troubleshoot if you have any problems.

The Negatives

Does Not Work On All Fabrics

While the Janome HD1000 does work on a variety of fabrics, it doesn’t work on all of them. The fabrics you can’t or shouldn’t sew using this machine include reptile skin, canvas, twill, plastic, and rubber.

While not all sewers may be using these fabrics, you never know when the mood for snakeskin pants will hit and you should know this is not the machine to sew those on.

When Life Gives You Lemons…

Unfortunately, there were cases with our testers where the machine was not operating so smoothly. Some reported the machine working fine for a while and then it would suddenly jam or begin to overheat.

Unpacking a lemon is always disheartening. While there was only one situation where the machine didn’t work right out of the box, there’s almost never an excuse for a machine not to work on arrival.

But in these rare cases, the warranty and Janome’s top-notch customer service will have you covered.

Threading the Machine

Our testers complained that the automatic needle threader is not as easy as it should be and that threading the machine, in general, can be a real challenge.

They also found threading the bobbin to be difficult.

While this is something to be cautious of for beginners, both new and advanced sewers may have to use patience when learning to troubleshoot these difficulties.

Here’s a video showing a threading demonstration on the Janome HD1000 Black Edition.

Overall Verdict

Factoring in all the good and the bad reviews, we would recommend the Janome HD1000 Sewing Machine, with some caution to the cons.

If you don’t buy a lemon on accident, then it is a versatile and strong machine that should cover your needs for a range of projects.

It’s great for both beginner and advanced sewers, making a machine that can easily grow with you as learn new sewing and crafting techniques.

If you get a dud, however, or don’t inspect it closely for overheating problems, it could be a headache.

Where to Buy the Janome HD1000 Black Edition Sewing Machine

The Janome brand has become well-known for making high-quality machines that keep up with our ever-changing technology.

The Janome brand is usually a staple in sewing and specialty shops, making the Janome HD1000 easy to find both in-store and online.

To compare the best prices, we recommend checking both Amazon and Sewing Machines Plus.

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That’s it for our review on the Janome HD1000 Sewing Machine. Curious to give it a try?

Want to see other models before you make a decision? See our latest user reviews.