| Janome:6300 (Sewing Machine) | | Viewed 1138 time(s) |
1 more reviews for this machine | Review rated Very Helpful by 19 people | | Reviewed by: | Mufffet | 
 | About Mufffet | | VT USA | | Member since: 8/14/05 | | Reviews written: 132 | | Sewing skills:Intermediate | | Favored by: 53 people | | sewing machines reviewed: 16 | | Bio: more... |
| | Posted on: | 2/4/13 11:15 PM | | Approx price paid: | $700 | | Had this machine for: | 7 months 1 week | | Recommended? | Yes | | Online Merchants: | Amazon.com | Features
- Computerized
- Needle Threader
- Needle Up/Down Setting
- Embroidery Stitches
- One step buttonhole
- Drop-In bobbin
- Adjustable Stitch Length and Width
- Adjustable Presser Foot Pressure
- Adjustable Needle Position
- Auto Threading
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Janome 6300
Features:
• 63 stitches including 4 buttonholes give a variety of options for decorative and utility sewing.
• LED display are shows a variety of information, including a bobbin winding indicator light and twin needle guard.
• Maximum sewing speed: 1,000spm; 700spm zig zagSpeed Control SliderArm and bed space: 9" x 5"Visible pressure gaugeJam-proof, magnetic, top-loading full-rotary hook system
• Independent motor for bobbin winding
• Automatic thread cutter with memory capability
• Front access feed dog up/down
• Adjustable stitch width from 0-7mm
• Adjustable stitch length from 0-5mm
• Individual stitch editing including elongation
• Memory Capability
• Auto-lock, needle up/down quick command keys
• Vertical thread delivery system with built-in thread guide bar
• Built-in needle threader
• Extra-high presser foot lift
• Twin needle guardKnee lift
• 10 standard feet (ACTUALLY 13)
• Extra Large extension table - A generous quilting table is included with the machine.
• Vertical Thread Stand - The integrated and retractable vertical thread stand holds two spools of thread.
• Convenience Buttons - Thread snips, memorized needle up/down, locking stitch button, and speed control slider are all at eye level for easy access.
• Knee Lift & Drop Feed - Simply slide the drop feed lever over to lower the feed dogs. A knee lift is included with the machine.
• Manufacturer's 25 Year Limited Warranty
Standard Accessories:
• Bobbins
• Seam ripper
• Lint brush
• Screwdriver (large)
• Spool holder (small)
• Spool holder (large)
• Screwdriver
• Quilter guide (small)
• Quilter guide (large)
• Hemmer foot
• Overlock foot
• Special overcast foot
• Zipper foot
• Satin stitch foot
• Blind stitch foot
• Cording foot
• Sliding buttonhole foot
• Satin stitch foot (open-toe)
• 1/4" Seam foot
• Cloth guide
• Needle set
• Knee lifter
When this machine first came out, I was instantly called to it by the siren song of it’s features. It has a harp which is a bit longer than any machine I owned, and a knee lift, auto thread cutter and nice array of stitches. It has a bobbin motor separate from the machine motor, and is built to a more heavy duty spec than my other lower priced Janomes of regular home sewing machine size.
However, I am both patient and economical, and I gave up on this machine at the price of 1100 which became its usual day to day online price. A bargain at the price I know, but I don’t like spending money at that level and I had other quite excellent and useful machines. I did however, take up FMQ, and although my old Pfaff is excellent at it, it is rather slow and I thought a knee lift would be great to have. So I watched and admired. I didn’t need the features of a 6500 or a 6600, and the pared down features on the 6300, and it’s robust build, became a daily thought. :) I even called another dealer to see what a deal I could make since at the time that dealer (a very good dealer in situ and online) was having a sale on the other TOL Janomes and Elnas. However that dealer wouldn’t or couldn’t deal on the 6300, so I waited. Seeing it on SewVacDirect was a lucky break, and I snatched it up.
In June of 2012 I purchased the machine online from Sew Vac Direct after seeing it in the customer return site there. I called and talked to Stephen who was gracious and talked for some time to me about the returns the whys and wherefores and so on. Most returns are because of either changing of mind, spousal recriminations (that one surprised me!), or buying up to another model in the line! And then he offered me a price I at once ran in to tell my hubby. He said get it, and I didn’t waste a second doing so. I wondered if the machine would show any wear, or come with everything.
It arrived the day I had to spend the entire day at the Vermont QUilt Festival, so had to wait another day to get it actually sewing. I did unpack it that evening though, and on first sight it hits you that these machines are HUGE. You get used to that. The family filed by the kitchen table where I had it and they were all really impressed. :) My hubby said: “THAT’S a sewing machine!
Condition was brand new, never out of the box and sealed in it’s plastic - the machine and all the accessories, just as advertised, including the huge clear acrylic extension table. I don’t care for the white extension tables, as I like to see through my extension tables and store things under them if I am using the feet on them at all. I should add that you need to read the specs.
It comes with 13 feet, not the ten it advertises on the Janome site, unless they have edited that to correct it. It also has it’s own little box to hold the accessories and feet. I moved all that into an ArtBin case so I could store even more feet in with what came with it, and added a FMQ bobbin case, and several more feet to the storage. Now I have more Janome feet than I will ever use. But good to have as you never know. I had to purchase a Teflon foot and a tricot foot as I love those two feet. I didn’t want to have to share feet with another machine, I do that because if I sell another machine I want to include all the feet I have for that machine. If you do want to share feet, all the drop in bobbin Janome feet do fit this machine.
Be aware that it DOES use the bobbin case the 6500 and 6600 use. This is because this set of machines has an auto thread cutter and that uses a different bobbin case than the regular machines without a cutter. I am not sure you need to buy the FMQ bobbin case at all, as it is only different in the setting of tension on it, and even that isn’t so different - I do use it and I had to loosen tension on it anyway. But it’s always good to have two of things.
I put the machine into the new Gidget II table I also ordered right away (from another great online dealer, InternetSalesUSA which used to be SewingInUSA) because I knew it wouldn’t fit in a Gidget. I left the feet off the extension table as Leah Day did on her 7700, and that made it able to rest down in the table so I have an almost perfectly flat surface. I should say that the 6300 is a flatbed machine, meaning no free arm. That’s no problem for me as that is how I learned to sew back in the day and I know the techniques for doing things without a free arm.
I knew I wasn’t going to review this machine until I had used it in a variety of projects, so I began to use it.
Overall - it is fast. Very fast, and now I keep the speed control down a bit because I don’t want to lose control, although I do sew fast. It sews straight and sews a terrific straight stitch. The feed is marvelous, and the lack of Accufeed doesn’t seem a problem. If I do a fiddly thing that really needs dual feed I use my Pfaff with IDT - collars is one thing I use the Pfaff for, although I didn’t on the shirt I made as part of my trials of this machine. And it sewed the collar just fine.
The knee lift is handy, and takes remembering you have it, but once you get the hang of it, you love it. I don’t use the auto-thread-cutter that much because I prefer to cut my own threads but I do use it some and it is handy as well. I didn’t actually have an auto thread cutter as a priority anyway, so having it is gravy and I know I can use it if I want to or need to.
I like the separate bobbin motor which alleviates the need to unthread the machine for bobbin winding. It would be nice if Janome had the wind-through-the-needle functionality that Viking has though. But it isn’t a hassle to do a few bobbins on the Janome for sure. So - projects I have done on the Janome: stretch cotton summer camp style shirt with collar and buttonholes - buttonhole function really works nicely. Remembers the size and makes a nice buttonhole. You can adjust both the density of the stitching on the buttonhole and the width of the arms of the buttonhole. Great feature that width adjustment.
Next I made a case for my ukulele out of home dec fabric - rather heavy and lined with double-sided quilted fabric. Case has a side zipper installed and the machine put in that zipper easily for me through all those layers of fabric and sewed up my case just fine. Ditto the lunch bag I made from the same triple layered fabric - layers aren’t a problem for this machine.
I made a light weight rayon skirt with an elastic waist, and that went swimmingly as well - it handles light fabric just as well as heavy ones. I sewed together a thick quilted two piece pillow cover without a problem. Then I made a cover for the machine out of a satin damask - again, handled it well without snags.
It pieces well - and I put together two flannel quilt tops in no time with the speed of this machine. I used this machine to bind another quilt as well - that went like a charm using the walking foot - I love that walking foot! Then I used the walking foot again to entirely quilt one flannel quilt with stitch in the ditch and other straight lines.
I set up the machine for free motion quilting with the Janome blue bobbin case for FMQ, and the 4 piece foot set with the round hole metal foot in place. At first I was able to get very nice FMQ but had to change thread a few times to accomplish that goal and fiddle with the tension of course. ALL my test pieces cam out fine, and everything looks wonderful, but the weight or my technique kept me from being able to finish my quilt on this machine. I am going to work on that, as I am a novice quilter anyway, so I am sure I can get this machine to do reliable quilting - I just need to practice and work with threads etc to get the best combo for FM.
I love the machine for all around garment, home dec, repair and quilting. Next quilt will use different fabric, batting and threads and we shall see. Did I mention I LOVE the knee lift? Well, I do.
Overall the solidity of this big machine is combined with the delicate stitching she can do, and I heartily recommend this machine. Know that these machines in this line are not light machines! You can lift it, but once placed I am leaving her there!
What Mufffet does not like about this machine
What I don’t care for is a Janome feature - the bobbin winding could be better and so could the needle bar area as far as putting in a needle - but this is something every Janome I have ever seen and the Kenmore they made as well - they all have the same thing. But these are minor things, and I love Janomes in general and have got three computerized and one mechanical (mechanical is an inexpensive Elna made by Janome) of them in the sewing room right now, and I love them all. | *LOGIN to add a comment to this review
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23 Comments
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Looks like you covered everything. :) If I were in the market, I would certainly consider this machine after this review.
2/5/13 3:20 AM
WOWZERS! Thank you for a very comprehensive & well written review. It sounds like a very sturdy & multiple function machine. I am not familiar with that Gidget II wish they would let picture shown . Thank you!
2/5/13 4:40 AM
What a great review. Makes me want to run out and get one.
2/5/13 6:19 AM
Great review Mufffet
2/5/13 7:20 AM
I am impressed! When I'm ready to upgrade, this may be my next machine! Thanks for the fabulous detailed review!
2/5/13 7:40 AM
Wonderful and thorough review. Sounds like an amazing machine at a great price. Thanks.
2/5/13 9:40 AM
You got a great deal on this machine. I was at my local dealer one day when a lady came in and bought the same machine for $1000. Sounds like a fully-featured machine for quilting
2/5/13 10:07 AM
You got a great deal on this machine. This is a great review too!
2/5/13 12:20 PM
Your patience paid off! What a deal and what a thorough wonderful review! Totally surprised me too that spousal recrimination was a top reason for returns. Interesting.
2/5/13 1:56 PM
Muffet, What a lovely review. I am so glad you are enjoying this machine. It suites you. If you find the bobbins do not wind evenly, there is a screw located on top of the guide you wrap the thread around before in comes back to the bobbin. It is used to adjust the thread so it winds evenly.You make the adjustment as it winds. Also there the lever you engage before winding he bobbin which has an adjustment so the bobbin can receive more or less thread. But being the talented seamstress you are, (hug) you probably know about these features. :-)
2/5/13 9:18 PM
Actually Warbler - I think that once I may have known about adjusting those two items, but never thought of it so THANKS! I am going to do that! :0 Yipes. It is probably in the manual as well. HHmm..I am going to look! Thanks again! :)
2/5/13 9:53 PM
Terrific review. You touched on everything I would want to know about the machine before purchasing it. Thanks.
2/5/13 10:17 PM
This should be listed somewhere as the template for what a sewing machine review should be! I am glad you have a machine you enjoy so much.
2/6/13 4:38 PM
Wonderful Review, Muffet! I have been waiting to see what you think about the 6300p. These machines (6600p/6500p/6300p) are pretty nice and very smooth machines for the price. I'm glad you were able to get a good deal. Have fun with yours! I'm sure enjoying mine (6600p). I wish I would have thought to put my review in bullets like you did. It looks very neat and organized.
2/6/13 8:03 PM
ButterBean...funny you mention the spacing in the review. :) I write reviews on AMAZON sometimes and one person commented that I didn't "paragraph" enough, so now I "paragraph"! ;) I am so glad you love your 6600! These are sturdy machines. I hope they last a long long time too.
2/6/13 10:13 PM
Perfect job!
2/7/13 8:39 PM
WONDERFUL review. Thanks for taking the time to test the machine thoroughly and to provide such an amazing review!
2/7/13 9:31 PM
Wow, I could go buy one of these just on the strength of this review! There are things I miss about the Janome and this machine sounds perfect!
2/10/13 1:25 PM
What a great review! I just love my Janomes and Kenmores. I have had my eye on the 6300, 6500, 6600 line but I am waiting for the prices to come down. Good to know about the bobbin winding feature on this machine. I use my HD-1000 to wind my bobbins because my TOL Kenmore just doesn't wind a good bobbin.
2/12/13 1:39 PM
Just want to add that a minute or two with the screw driver adjusting the bobbin winder has worked. Now bobbin winding is great! I guess that's why they have the screws there! ;)
2/13/13 10:46 AM
Wow, and thank you! My 6300 arrives tomorrow and reading your thorough review helped me to feel less anxious, and more excited about the "sight unseen" purchase.
3/5/13 11:15 PM
Since all this line of machines FMQs really well, I have been experimenting with FM, and haven't worked out all the bugs yet. I am of course new at it, so I am not feeling a set back, and the machine has plowed through some tough stuff for me and so probably a servicing isn't out of order. NEW INFO: Tried Maxi-Lock cone and a Bottom Line bobbin thread and have been FMQing along all evening. YEA!!
3/6/13 10:20 AM
APRIL 27, 2013 UPDATE: FMQ working well with Masterpiece thread after bobbin washers purchased - it is amazing how much difference the bobbin washers make! I am relatively new at FMQ, and as I go along on this machine it gets better and better. Partly user error, partly practice, partly that today's machines have very high tension, so I do recommend that to do FMQ on this machine you get the blue dot bobbin case for the machines with the push button thread cutters - same one as the 6500 and 6600 uses. That really helps especially if you are fearless and do not mind tweaking bobbin tension. If you do tweak bobbin tension - make a little drawing of where it was first, and then you have that as a reference if you need to put it back to the original setting. I need to try getting perfect setting now for King Tut as well as I do love it - lightweight poly threads such as Maxi-lock do a nice job of FM as well on this machine, as does Magnifico.
4/27/13 9:11 PM