Janome 2212 Front-Loading Sewing Machine with 12 Built-In Stitches

This was a wonderful fit for me as a person looking to try quilting as a new hobby without spending an arm and a leg, and also wanting to avoid the random issues that can come up with electronic machines. Pros: -Setup for (in my opinion) everything you could possibly want to do with the exception of a lot of random "fancy" stitches like swirls and such, which I don't like to use anyway, or embroidery which drives up the price of a machine by a lot lot. - Mechanical not electronic, which makes it less prone to issues, and makes troubleshooting much more straightforward. - Literally the least expensive machine that could be used for quilting that also had a great reputation for being solid and lasting. - Worked well for free motion quilting. Since this comes with standard accessories, needed to get quilting accessories separately. (Note: even with this added expense, it was still much less expensive than alternatives) - Much faster and hardier than the Singer Confidence Quilter that I had used previously (see story in background below), there is even a video online of this machine sewing multiple layers of denim. Things to keep in mind: #1 When purchasing accessories, this little engine that can has a shorter needle and different setup than a lot of its siblings (like the Jem) so be sure to check that accessories are for a 5mm front load bobbin machine - thank you love2sew66 for mentioning this in your review! Lessons learned while free motion quilting with this machine: #1 Buy the Janome Front Load 5 Piece Quilt Kit for $50 b/c it will fit this machine, it has both the free motion quilting foot with a clear bottom and a walking foot. Mine was from Sew Vac Direct. It was really hard to figure out if this would fit while online shopping... fortunately it does. #2 The needles for this machine are shorter than most other Janome machines, so be sure to check that you are getting the right type. Janome Red Tip Needles (Size 14) worked well for me as an all purpose type for heavier materials/ multiple layers. #3 Remember to put the presser foot down when free motion quilting. This sounds silly, I know, but it isn't as obvious as when you are sewing normally, since you don't really see it drop down. If you don't then the tension discs won't engage and you will either get a nest of threads on the bottom of your quilt OR it will look like your top thread tension is too loose and the bottom thread will just look like a flat line with eyelashes. #4 If your thread starts getting caught in the front-load bobbin area, i.e. does half a loop rather than full loop around the hook area, take out the bobbin and replace it with a full one. This usually happened when the bobbin started getting low and is the only reason for my 4 rather than 5 star rating. --> UPDATE: Changed my rating up to 5/5 because this issue seemed to be mostly due to using a poly-blend thread. Made my second quilt using a cotton machine thread and only had a jam like this once in the 80+ hours spent piecing the quilt top/bottom and free-motion quilting the quilt sandwich. #4A: USE COTTON THREAD in this sewing machine. This one worked for me personally: http://www.amazon.com/Machine-Quilting-Thread-White-Each/dp/B000WMGJOM/ref=cm_rdp_product #5 Really hold the thread strings down when you start a new line since it pulls hard at the beginning (probably adjusting the tension) and will unthread itself otherwise. I'll often do the first couple stitches using the wheel to get around the hard pull at the start so everything goes more smoothly. #6 When you move the switch over to raise the the feed dogs after they have been dropped, they will not actually go up again until you turn the wheel/ press the petal to start sewing again. So don't get worried about them not popping up immediately after moving the switch. Background info: I'm more of a beginner/intermediate sewer, my recent experience was borrowing a friend's machine to give quilting a try. Had used a Singer Confidence Quilter machine for a couple weeks before it randomly stopped working during free-motion quilting and gave a beep sequence that the Singer representative indicated is an electrical problem. I've been using the Janome 2212 for about two weeks now for both regular sewing and free motion quilting. Just finished a crib sized quilt, well, finished save the edges ;) which is the last step. Hope this review helps some of the other beginners! --> Update 8/8/12: Have now used this machine for the last couple months and have logged 100+ hours in use. Used the walking foot on quilt edging, the darning foot for free-motion quilting, and regular foot for piecing

I looked for a machine to do simple tasks as I use to do as I grew up with my grandma's 1930th shuttle knock-off copy of Jones Family CS made by nascent Red Russia industry (I would dream to have this machine back!). I prefer to fix pants length and jacket sleeves myself as it's easier for me to do it to my liking then to explain it to others. Also kids' stuff needs occasional small fixing before it's ready to be replaced. So, I looked for something simple and inexpensive, but functional and dependable. I saw good reviews on Janome 2212 (it's relatively small brand - that also original manufacturer for some other brands, including top-of-the-line names like Bernina) that not cared by major US brick-and-mortar stores, at least not in my city. Amazon had a good price on it and I placed an order. Here the 5 star review starts. First - service: As it arrived (a day before estimated delivery date - no complains :)) I found that - already good - price dropped by anther $29.80. So, I contacted Amazon customer service (on-line) and asked to call me back. I got call a few seconds after I pressed "submit" button, and within 5 minutes (and without any hard pressure on my side) I was issued a refund on this amount - looks like Amazon has policy to refund difference if price dropped within 7 days upon product delivery! So, I opened machine and used it for a day and noticed some problems that made me concerned that it may be factory refurbished or damaged unit (it had surface marks and scratches and twice locked the needle). I contacted Amazon again and asked what should I do as I want to keep the machine. They offered a replacement. They organized UPS pick-up from my porch for the next morning and sent replacement by FedEx the same day, so I received it just a day later! The service is well above my expectations! As for Janome 2212 itself - it's a solid no thrill mechanical machine that makes routine sewing tasks easy (I have no expertise to talk about complex tasks). The speed is varied by floor pedal pressure the same way gas pedal in a car control acceleration and easy to get use to by any casual car driver, as majority of Americans are (but it has no "break" pedal, so if you running "high speed" sewing it will make a few stitches after you'll release the pedal). It has reverse switch, but it can't be fixed - you need to hold it all the time when doing reverse (it's my only functional complain). It has enough variations in types and length of stitches to cover all non-decorative (and, presumably, some decorative) tasks, but so far I used just default. I feel it can compete with my old Grandma's machine in durability (I sewed through multi-fold denim edges with little if any hesitation!) and even offer some advantages as free-arm and electric power (early 21st century vs. early 20th :)). It's a basic, but not the simplest machine from Janome. But going even more basic will not give enough monetary advantage to be worth of - to save anther $20 or $30 (it's when not on the sale price) you need to sacrifice variable stitch length (important future!) and a few stitch types. Going up - to get "heavy-duty" or top-line electronic machine - it's almost to double price (or go much above), for futures that one may or may not needs (I don't), on potential account of reliability (it's a general rule: giving the same part quality, more complexity comes on account of reliability, and has nothing to do with Janome quality control specifically). So, I'm very comfortable with build and price/value balance on Janome 2212 model.

I am an adult with very little previous sewing experience, so a fair amount of research led me to purchase this machine, and I am pleased with my purchase. First I narrowed down my search to the Janome brand, since several review websites indicated that Janome has high quality parts (usually metal, not plastic). Other brands didn't seem to have the same reputation for machines manufactured in the past several years. So, I chose to narrow my search to Janome machines. This machine looked both affordable and easy to use, and it is just that. The instruction manual is very easy to read, with line drawings to guide you, and it will help you figure out anything you need to know about operating the machine. The presser foot is easy to quickly change out with the other foot attachments, such as the zipper foot, buy releasing a small lever on the back. I found it was very easy to sew zippers to a dress and a pillow cover that I made. The feed dogs (the gripping "teeth" that guide your fabric through as you sew) can be lowered/disabled if you don't want to use them at times. I haven't tried sewing buttons or making buttonholes with it yet, so I can't speak to that function. As for stitching, the options are basic, which keeps it simple for a beginning user. Basically there are a couple of straight stitches and a few zig zag stitch options, which are helpful for either very basic embroidery patterns, or for creating zig zag seams for stretchy fabric. It is easy to adjust the length of stitches as well as the stitch type by turning the dials on the front of the machine. Filling the and threading the bobbin (the spool of thread that creates the underside of the stitch) was very easy to do, just follow the instruction manual. I haven't had to adjust the tension at all since I bought the machine, and I have sewn on woven fabrics as well as t-shirt type jersey fabrics. If you're sewing with delicate or stretchy fabrics I do recommend buying some universal ball point needles since they help prevent accidental tearing or snagging of the fabric. Also the foot pedal is nice to use because you can control the speed by pressing lighter or more firmly on the pedal, much like driving a car. :) My only complaint about the pedal is that the cord could be slightly longer to allow for easier positioning. I would definitely recommend this machine or another similar Janome machine if they ever discontinue this model.

First off, let me just say that I am a beginner to sewing machines. I have never taken a class or had anyone tell me how to use this machine. I got this machine to sew as a hobby. So excuse me if my thoughts are a bit shattered! Additionally, I did do extensive research before getting this machine. The other reviews seem to say this machine is fantastic also! It comes with a bunch of bobbins, 4 needles, a zipper foot, and more! I have to say the zipper foot is extremely useful. The default stitches is more than enough for a beginner. I do suggest you get some good quality thread because I had to re-thread the machine countless times due to poor quality thread. If you read the instruction book, you should know all you need to to start making some stuff. I already made a messenger bag that I have been using everyday for school, some wallets, a scarf and more. In fact, an hour after I got it, I had made a hair bow already. It was really easy to teach myself how to sew despite no previous experience. This machine is heaven to me because it managed to sew through 6 layers of home deco fabrics! It didn't even make any sounds like it was in pain. I have yet to try it on several layers of denim but I am pretty sure it will no have trouble doing so. Be careful of sewing TOO much layers though. I tried to sew so much layers that it reached the foot and it couldn't even more and the needle snapped! ALSO. If you have any trouble with the thread catching or breaking or whatever, I found that the solution to these kinds of problem is just patience and removing the bobbin case and then removing parts behind it. It is extremely easy assembling it back together. If you don't know how, just look at your instruction booklet. It has a diagram telling you how to assemble the pieces back together. Whenever my thread catches and get stuck, I just removed the bobbin area's pieces and it unstuck itself. I hope that makes sense because discovering that was my life saver when I thought I broke my sewing machine. As for the backward stitches, I find it really accessible and easy to use because the lever is in the front and so large. You can also take out the extension table. That is how you can sew sleeves or remove the bobbin case. In the extension, you have two compartments where you can store any thread, bobbins, seam ripper, etc. The bobbin winder is also super easy to use, as well as the foot pedal you use to sew. You can go REALLY slow if you are not as experienced (like me) or go REALLY fast if you start to get the hang of it. I'm really glad I got a Janome and I hope it doesn't break in the near future since it's so cheap! I will update this review is anything bad happens! In the meantime, I'm pretty sure most if not all the problems I am having (such as the thread getting stuck) are from user errors. I still have no idea when to adjust the tension! In all, it's superb for first timers! I hope this is useful for beginners that have no previous experience in sewing.

After breaking a much, much older machine, and after a lot of reading reviews for similar products from Brother and Singer, I landed on this one. One of my main concerns was being able to sew through fleece material. This machine is able to do it quite well, sewing through as many as 4 layers of fleece (although only for distances of less than an inch). I'm a beginner, but I was able to put together a onesie without missing any stitches. I didn't use a walking presser foot, but I will be purchasing one soon. The material itself is too thick for a regular presser foot. If you do not have a walking foot, you'll end up doing a lot of correcting during your stitch, and you'll need to afford yourself some leeway in your seam allowances. I find the machine easy to use, and I do not require any stitches from the advanced array of stitches seen on other models (who does really?). I have used the stitch length adjuster, zig-zag pattern, and buttonholer without any issues in terms of performance, ease of configuration, and execution. The bobbin isn't the easiest to use, but it seems like a sturdy and reliable design, which is more valuable to me than ease of use. Time will tell if it does indeed last. I have noticed that my thread is getting caught on the bobbin for some reason during use occasionally. I'm not sure if that's due to a material or configuration issue. As a beginner, I would have liked a max-speed selector. I still have some trouble hitting the right speed when I engage the machine, or am simply not yet comfortable with starting the machine at a fast stitching rate.

This sewing machine is amazing. I can sew through several layers of fabric and it runs like a work horse. I use Janome brand presser feet but have been buying the Distinctive brand presser feet for several years now, which are less expensive but just as well made as the Janome brand. As far as thread, I use Gutermann's thread exclusively with this machine and I would suggest you invest in quality threads too. This machine let me know it would not tolerate low quality threads because whenever I would use any dollar store thread or even Coats & Clark thread, it would tangle up in the feeds. As soon as I cleared the tangle and replaced the thread with the Gutermann's, the machine ran smoothly and perfectly. It knows what it wants. I have not had to oil this machine since I have had it but if you want to do that, I suggest you find a sewing machine specific oil and not using WD40 or any other oil in this machine. You take of this machine and it will take care of you. I can take this machine from room to room, it is lightweight and easy to carry around. I have had my machine for well over 5 years now and do not regret Janome one iota. I taught my grandchildren on this machine and if an 8 year old can run it, anyone can. The only part that has ever broken which I had to replace was the storage arm which was my own fault for pulling it off roughly one day when I was in a hurry. Janome is not an easy company to get in touch with anymore and our authorized dealers (mom and pop sewing and fabric shops) in our area have all gone out of business but I have found a couple of online stores that carry parts for the Janome line and had no trouble finding the parts I need. The 2212 is an older model machine but I find the older machines to be made better and if you can find this machine for below $300. 00 , that's a bargain! Can't recommend this machine enough especially to beginners. So user friendly!

We are evaluating the Machine now. So far, so good. This is a great machine. It's easy to use, the Sewing speed is fantastic, and the basic options are all we need. It's working fine. However, if anything comes up, we will follow up here. But so far, this machine is better than most we've tried over the years. Thank you very much, My wife is very pleased. We like the Warranty package as well, Thank You !

I bought this machine because I wanted to learn how to sew. I hadn't touched a sewing machine since freshman year home ec, so my endeavor into the sewing world was quite the learning experience. By chance, a friend of mine had a Janome machine she had received as a gift, which she was kind enough to let me play around with. I liked it enough, and after extensive research, decided on the 2212 model. I must admit, I really love this little machine. As a true beginner, it has done everything I needed it to do. It has mended jeans, sewn through several layers of thinner material, and I even attempted coasters! The 2212 has done all this will flying colors! Additionally, I would like to say that the manual for this bad boy is super amazing and easy to follow. There are LOTS of pictures, with step by step instructions. The manual comes in dual English and Spanish if that is a selling point for you. The only trouble I have had with my machine were purely user error. I didn't load the bobbin properly the first few times, but after I figured it out, I haven't had any issues. I appreciate the ease of use, and the simplicity of the machine. It is just right for my needs as a beginner who is learning. The button-hole foot is easy to use, and straight forward. Spooling a bobbin is also easy and convenient. In my opinion this is an excellent choice for a beginner, or someone who is only planning on doing basic sewing. Once I am more skilled and ready for a new machine, I will definitely stay within the Janome family. And you can't beat a 25 year warranty!