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| Janome:MemoryCraft 5200 (Sewing Machine) | | Viewed 514 time(s) | | Review rated Very Helpful by 11 people | | Reviewed by: | KathleenS | 
 | About KathleenS | | NA AUSTRALIA | | Member since: 11/18/02 | | Reviews written: 62 | | Sewing skills:Intermediate | | Favored by: 14 people | | sewing machines reviewed: 1 | | Bio: more... |
| | Posted on: | 11/7/09 9:28 PM | | Had this machine for: | 6 weeks | | Recommended? | Yes | Features
- Computerized
- Needle Threader
- Needle Up/Down Setting
- One step buttonhole
- Free Arm
- Adjustable Stitch Length and Width
- Adjustable Presser Foot Pressure
- Adjustable Needle Position
| | What KathleenS likes about this machine
I had a Bernina Virtuosa 160 before, which really annoyed me because of its lack of a one step buttonhole. I also have a Janome overlocker (serger), which gives me no trouble at all, so I decided to look at their sewing machines. It helps too that they don't have the price that goes with the prestige of the Bernina name. In the end it was between this and the 6600, and while the 6600 sounds great, it doesn't have a free arm and I'm exclusively a garment sewer.
I like that this met my requirements, which were:
*One step buttonhole (in fact it has 10 different buttonholes, including plain, keyhole and knit).
*Able to sew several thicknesses of heavy fabric such as denim or fleece (no problem whatsoever).
*Free arm
*Tension adjustment
*3 step zigzag
*Twin needle
*Good range of feet available - such as rolled hem, binding, straight stitch, invisible zip, walking foot.
The machine came with 11 feet, which I thought was pretty good. (I then bought another 5!).
Good range of utility stitches. I don't pay much attention to the sewing machine ads making a fuss about "201 stitches!" because I will probably never use the decorative ones, but I'm discovering all sorts of useful stitches on this. For example, it has a three-step zigzag, darning stitch, three types of overlock stitch. No doubt there are many others that will be useful to me that I haven't found yet.
I read somewhere online when researching this that this machine doesn't have adjustable presser foot pressure - this isn't true. I haven't tried it yet but there are instructions in the manual and it looks straightforward.
Automatic stitch plate converter This is a special feature of this machine. The stitch plate closes up for straight stitching, so you don't need a separate straight stitch plate. I haven't tried sewing fine fabrics yet so I don't know how much it helps, but it works fine. What KathleenS does not like about this machine
The default stitch when you turn on the machine is straight stitch, LEFT needle position, which is taking some getting used to! No big deal but I've had to do some unpicking (seam ripping) because of it. (This is because of the automatic stitch plate converter.)
Nothing else to dislike so far.
Conclusion:
I like this machine just fine so far. I haven't found any way in which it might limit my sewing, and I think it's quite possible it will expand my horizons a bit.
Let me know if you have questions!
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| Reader Comments | | Mufffet | 11/7/09 | SO good to read a review of this machine. I love the looks of it, and I love that two light thing. Do you find the double lighting is helping or is different from your previous machine? :) Happy sewing. This machine also has a nice long space in the harp which is appealing. | | * * * | | poplin | 11/8/09 | Great review!
I'm surprised that this model starts on the left needle position. That is very nice to know.
Have you hemmed a pair of heavy-weight denim jeans? | | * * * | | dbsewer | 11/8/09 | Excellent review. Sounds like a lovely machine. | | * * * | | johnr55 | 11/8/09 | Boy, that convertible pressure plate sounds great! Closest thing I have seen to that is the rotatable pressure plate on the old Necchi Supernovas of the fifties. | | * * * | | Franksdottir | 11/8/09 | I have been looking at this machine, and I was so glad to read this review. Please come back and let us know when you use the straight stitch plate as I am extremely curious about it. | | * * * | | Mufffet | 11/8/09 | This is the same machine as the Marie Osmond one only with the clean white coloring! I love the look of it. | | * * * | | catsmeow | 11/8/09 | Outstanding review of this machine. I like that you knew what you needed or wanted and this guided you in your choice. So glad you found a machine that fits you just right! I have a vintage Necchi Julia that has a round stitch plate that you turn when you want to do zigzag or straight stitch or double needle sewing. It's great not having to keep track of different plates. | | * * * | | KathleenS | 11/9/09 | Mufffet, I think both the lighting and the harp area must be roughly equivalent to my previous machine as I haven't noticed either feature - but on the other hand I haven't noticed them being deficient either!
Poplin, when I tried the machine at the shop I tried it on a folded piece of medium weight stretch denim, five layers thick, and it didn't mind at all. (I took several different fabric swatches with me to try it on). I haven't tried the heaviest denim yet but based on its performance on the other I don't expect it to have a problem (with the correct needle). | | * * * | | sewgirl101 | 11/9/09 | I tested this machine at the dealer, it was the marie osmond style, but it was so fun to use, it has everything you could ask for, the dealer was selling it for $899. and at the time I didn't have the money. I would have loved to have that machine. enjoy! | | * * * | | Warm Dove | 11/14/09 | I like that Janome had gave this machine a stream line appearance and retained the compartment box.
How does this machine treat knits?
I know you stated that it handle jean fabrics but does it make more noise than usual when it passes over the seam and hem interface? Or does the QC5200 remain quiet? I noticed with the MC9700 that it would sew the hem but take a few smaller stitches and the machine noise would increase.
I totally agree that manufactures bait us into selecting their machine with a lot of decorative stitches.-- Thanks for the review. | | * * * | | KathleenS | 11/20/09 | Warm Dove, I've sewn a knit top and dress without any problems. As for thick layers, I haven't noticed any increase in noise. I did have some problems with smaller stitches on one occasion but I probably just needed to adjust things. | | * * * |
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