Janome HD9 Professional

Great machine-going to buy another one – Bought this machine about 3-4 years ago when it was called QC1600P Professional. Magic machine, solid, fast straight sewer. Couldn't live without it and I am about to buy another one for my daughter to use. My original decision to buy it was I wanted an industrial sewing machine but live in a rural area so didn't know how I would get it serviced when needed so started looking at what else and came up with the Janome Semi Industrial which has been perfect for what I need and easy to get serviced. I change the needle regularly, use quality cotton and give it a clean and oil regularly and service once a year @ $110. No problems at all. Love it.

What a beast! – I’ve been struggling to sew bulky items (handbags with leather and vinyl) on my expensive computerised machine. Although it’s a good machine, it doesn’t doesn’t have the grunt to sew through bulky seams, or with a good result. Well, the HD9 has it in spades! I grew up with solid, cast metal sewing machines and have been disappointed to see clunky plastic machines take their place over time. This machine has a full cast metal body, and weighs around 14.5kg. It sews at 1600 stitches per minute (adjustable) without bouncing on the table, has a vertical side-loading full industrial hook, an independent bobbin winding mechanism separate to the sewing machine motor, a large-capacity bobbin, industrial pretension threading (takes heavy thread easily without fiddly tension adjustments), a 12.7mm high presser foot lift, knee lift, and a heavy duty motor. It has 3 separate LED lights for greater visibility when you’re sewing, which is a really important feature for those of us with dwindling eyesight. The needle up/down button and auto thread cutter are nice touches. The machine uses industrial needles and industrial presser feet.

Be aware that this is a straight stitch only machine, but the stitch quality is wonderful with a stitch length up to 6mm. It’s also a flat bed machine, so obviously no free arm. There are no fancy computerised gizmos. It’s just a no-frills tank of a machine that’s as close as you can get to an industrial without the bulk, the heavy table, and the noise. Janome does sell tables that the machine can be inserted into to give you a industrial-type setup if you want, but they’re not as heavy or immovable as tables that come with true industrials.

PROS * All of the above.

CONS * Accessories that come with the machine are Spartan! Janome has a small range of additional feet suitable for the machine, but I have other non-Janome industrial feet I’ve purchased much cheaper on eBay that work just fine. * After all of that effort to create a true heavy duty metal workhorse sewing machine, the door to the bobbin at the side of the machine is plastic. Really, Janome?