ALDI Sewing Machine (Pre-2016 Models)

Absolutely the best sewing machine I have ever had – Loved it, great stitch easy to use I had it for 8 years, unfortunately I was told it was as much to service and repair as a new Singer starlet, I wanted another Aldi machine but Aldi didn’t have any on order, and didn’t know when they would, I was so disappointed. I then made the worst decision and bought the Singer Starlet. It is so noisy I… Read more

used ear plugs, it is stiff to start, and when used in reverse mode it reverses then stops, you have to turn it completely off and turn on again before you can continue...it breaks down, then starts again, it is a nightmare. They say they can fix it !!! I I have had the problems from the first day, I should not have to send a new machine back to be repaired, it shouldn’t have come out of the factory in this state, disgusting, Singer used to lead the world in sewing machines when I was first introduced to the world of textiles, please Aldi help me.

Rebranded Janome, excellent entry level overlocker – As other reviewers have stated, this overlocker is actually a rebranded Janome machine. As such, it is made with Janome quality and you can contact Janome for customer support. I have had it for over a year and found it reliable. Any overlocker will be difficult to thread but this machine's threading mechanism is no different to that of any other… Read more

overlocker I have seen. In fact it comes pre-threaded so you don't have to rethread it; merely tie the new thread onto the old and pull through.

Its features include 3 and 4 thread overlock, rolled hem, narrow hem and picot edging. You can gather fabric with a tighter tension and it handles fabrics from fine to thick, wovens and knits well.

The only caution I would add is that it takes HA-1SP needles which can be difficult to find in shops. I buy mine online.

Alright for beginners – I got this for my 18th bday after I first started studying fashion. Still works fine (6 years later with moderate use) on basic cottons when you can get the tension right. I had a lot of trouble threading it and getting the tension right, might just be me though. It's great for someone not needing to sew a lot of varying fabrics or if you want one… Read more

but don't NEED one. If you sew a lot I'd suggest getting something like a Janome that is more reliable. I am upgrading to a Janome MyLock 644D. It was suggested by a sewing machine repairman (who had a very strong opinion against the Aldi overlocker I might add!) and a friend of mine who makes and sells hand made dresses for a living.

worked good for 14 months – I was very happy with this machine worked well!8 weeks out of 1 year warranty just stopped working i was very disapointed !At $199 not worth paying to fix!now i know why the warranty is only 12 months!The repair bill would be more than it cost for the machine!Great little overlocker when it was working!It just cost me $500 for a more reliable brand with 3 years warranty !

Moving parts bend, then no more sewing – I used my overlocker 5 times, at first it was brilliant, then for some unknown reason it jammed, after removing the offending material from under the foot and needle it didn't work the same, it broke 5 needles, then moving parts started hitting each other and finally no thread chains would be made. So, would I recommend it? based on my initial… Read more

experience yes, but based on how easy it suffers critical operational damage, then NO. it may be worth spending a bit more for a higher quality build machine.

Overall good :) – The Lumina Overlocker from Aldi is in fact the Janome 8002D. Aldi buys them and puts their own name on them (if you search for the youtube video of the 8002D you will see it has exactly the same look and inner, outer and features). If you google for the Janome 8002D Manual you will be happy, as this explains threading etc a lot better, see here:… Read more

http://content.janome.com/documents/File/ManualFile/Inst%20book%208002D%28Eng%29.pdf . Yes the lower looper is a pain to thread, but with lots (and lots!) of practise (and patience!) you will get the hang out of it. Machine itself runs like an old Mercedes - shakes a bit when speeding to the max, but never fails. Have it now for two years and I love love love my Lumina (Janome) Overlocker. Never fails, always works like a Pro. Lower Looper threading is a pain, but manageable.

Works well and good value – While threading the lopper is a pain the rest of the machine is great. Love using it, good value, should have bought on sooner. Would like to have more information in the booklet which is a bit basic. The machine looks a lot like a Janome8002D serger. Curious to see if that is what it really is. cost was very reasonable hard to thread looper

A nightmare! – Have spent 1 hour trying to thread the lower looper. It is so inaccessible, it is impossible. When I purchased it the machine sewed well, but now the lower looper thread has broken and that is the end of sewing! Am now looking to dispose of it and buy a more user friendly brand. Inexpensive A bad design for the lower looper threading. It is hidden in the works and hard to access.

This overlocker is terible – I have previously owned a brother overlocker, 3 threads, when it was thirty years old I decided to buy the 4 thread Lumina from Aldi. This has been a major disappointment.I finally convinced my husband that I needed this machine and it would be great. No so. The threading mechanism is terrible, so cumbersome and the thread keeps breaking. I have… Read more

spent so much time rethreading and very little sewing. When sewing fine fabric the trick is not to have to sew it many times. I wouldn't recommend this machine to anyone. In expensive Terrible threading mechanism

Best sewing machine I've ever had.ever used – I've been using a sewing machine since I was 15 years old. Had quite a few in my time, but find the Aldi Lumina Computerised Sewing Machine the best I've ever used. the easiest to change to decorative stitches and very quiet! I would recommend this Machine to anyone! When my Sister-in-law came over for a visit to Australia, she was so… Read more ·  2

impressed with this Sewing Machine. She has been trying to buy the same model in England.

I don't know how much it cost - it was a Christmas pressie. So happy with it. Everything about this Machine is so easy to use, Quiet & efficient. It's in constant use in my house.

Good – I had a Janome for about 22 years and having spent some time in Queensland I think the inner workings may have rusted a little. The Lumina is a good replacement machine and was inexpensive for general sewing requirements. I don't need a lot of fancy stitches so it suits me just fine. I find this machine very easy to use and d the stitches I have… Read more ·  1

used needed very little adjusting The reverse button is a little awkwardly positioned other than that nothing else

Love it!! – Only new to overlockers and turned it on and off I went. Brilliant job. Still need sewing machine for some things but overall it is wonderful. Haven't yet had to thread it though. It was affordable and easy to read instructions  Show reply

Bad – I found this machine a challenge to use. Threading took a while to learn and the thread cut quite frequently, so often I spent more time threading than actually sewing. I read the user guide carefully and found getting the tension right very delicate balancing act if I used anything other than basic cotton fabrics. It lasted only 9 months of… Read more

infrequent use and then something in the alignment of the needles gave up and it kept knotting thread very frequently. Decided not to even try fixing it as it had been so challenging to use it. Price and when all the settings were just right, the finish was fine Temperamental machine, found threading a challenge.

Good – I havent used it for anything major just yet but it seems like a good machine. Havent tried any other overlocks but im assuming for under 200 its something thats going to get the job done but nothing more. The price. Only $199 its hard adjusting to after many years on my mums industrial overlock

OK – no to bad, but every time i change cotton i needs to adjust the length of the stitch make it difficult to continue with the same fabric but different color of cotton easy to use buttonhole difficult to adjust