Janome My Excel 3018 (MW18)

29 years and still going strong – The best Heavy Duty machine on the market. Am I biased? Nope, but when it's 29 years and it still works like I brought it yesterday it is. It's a work horse and a dream machine with no plastic bits. Only serviced 3 times. My Excel sews everything including layers of denim and with a drop in bobbin holder the Excel is easy to use for a beginner… Read more

or experienced sewer. $499 from Myer in 1994. These are being rebadged in black as HD's. Just to note, don't be taken in by the 'better' stainless steel bobbins. You'll have problems . I've just upgraded (more stitches) but I will never get rid of my Excel, just like my 26-27 year old overlocker, Janome My lock 534D

Great sturdy sewing machine for heavy fabrics – Im quite impressed how solid the machine is! I've been a dressmaker for over 25years and I can recognize the quality. My everyday machine was highly computerized Husqvarna machine however the screen is playing up (some parts of the computerize machines are discontinued and if they are available cost twice as much as Janome My Excel) so I decided… Read more

to invest (not as much) and get solid machine for heavier sewing. After some research I decided to go with Janome (I've got their Coverpro machine and its amazing). I needed solid simple machine for upholstery, leather, vinyl sewing. The machine sits nicely on the table with minimal vibration. All the parts feel solid. The selection of the feet is great!!!! Its a perfect machine for what I was looking for. Its not as great looking as some other machines but wow im impressed!!! AAA+++

This machine lives up to its reviews – I researched before buying, the Brother from Spotlight was useless. I did my homework & for $350 it does everything. In Australia if you buy feom from Janome website you get so many accessories. It can handle various cottons, eg sparkly, & top stitching thread which the Brother could do. Show details

Best thing I ever bought – Bought this machine over 20 years ago still runs like a dream. I love the storage for all the different feet and the quick stitch guide under to top cover. I have stitched through 12 layer if denim when sewing hems handles it well. She is a beast of a machine no fabric she can't handle with the right needle and tensions. It is a heavy machine but that you can just put down to the quality of it. Show details

Don't bother they're crap – After my wife owning one of these for 25+ years. We took it to see about getting it serviced, the bloke said it could be expensive due to it's age. Based on this she purchase a new one. What a pile of crap it is. Very clangy and gathers under the stitch and bobbin will only half fill. (The old one still runs so smooth) The shop didn't want to… Read more

know us after getting our money, he says it's a user issue. She now goes to a sewing group, there are a number of very experienced sewers there and all say no it's the machine, Take it back. She has now said she will never purchase another Janome.

Bought a used one from an opshop. Love the thing! – I have no idea how old this Janome is, nor do I know if the previous owner loved or abused it, but I have had it for almost 7 years now. It was stored in a homemade outdoor shed for the past year and it was with trepidation that I took it out today to sew. There were mouldy spots on the machine, most of which I removed with a rag. Then....she sewed beautifully!! I might just have it serviced now. Show details

So far so excellent – I do alterations, on average 10 per week plus sew my own clothes and make dolls and bears. My last machine went for 43 years so it is a tad early for me to say if this machine is a stayer, it has another 42.5 years to go. So far it has done all that i have asked of it. Sews layers of denim just as easily as chiffon so that is good. Some drawbacks,… Read more

do not like stitching for the buttonholes, the screw on plate is difficult to get to and i can foresee that the dial for changing stitches will not last. Plus side, not computerised.

23 years old and hasn't missed a beat!!! – Sorry the drop down menu does allow me to set a purchase date of 1994! This machine is AMAZING! I love it and nothing has gone wrong with it. Well a couple of little things, but nothing that a service (which includes a good clean) can't fix. So if your machine is skipping a stitch, or you have to push too hard to get it to go in reverse, or the… Read more

needle doesn't re-centre after doing a zig zag, it just needs a service. I've been doing a lot of sewing (making quilts) over the past 2 years, and I've very sadly grown out of it. I need a bigger machine to get my quilts through, so I am going to purchase a memory craft (Janome).... TERRIFIED!!!! I hope it proves to be as good as my MyExcel.

Thank you Janome!

(oh, yes it cost $599 in 1994, about the same price 23 year later!!!)

Best sewing machine ever made – I bought my sewing machine about 14yrs ago. I have never had a problem with it. it gets serviced every 2 years. It has been through house moves, changing rooms, and it still never goes wrong. My mothers machine as soon as you move it the tension is out, its done this from the day she bought it. This is a perfect sewing machine that can be for a beginner to an experienced sewer.  Show details

15 years going strong! – I have had this machine for over 15 years... I have seen everything from muslin to vinyl. It struggled a little with the vinyl, but with the right size needle it ran fine. It was my first machine, and I found it user friendly and easy to learn on. It is very straight forward to maintain and resolve typical problems. Admittedly I have only put it… Read more

in for a service twice and it us due for a third, but it has ran fine for five years before needing a service and it hasn't needed parts replaced in all the time I have owned it. Heavier fabrics or thickly folded layers will need the stitches hand turned to avoid breaking the needle. Recently I started teaching a group of novices to see, and the donated machines are cheap or very old. They make me appreciate my Janome so much more. The compartments work to keep everything neat, the dip to hold the thread means that the spool doesn't jump off the machine or get tangled around the spool holder. It should come with a brush and two screwdrivers that are perfect to keep the machine clean.

Great little machine – I use this machine for my smaller sewing jobs. Great for taking up jeans as it has a free arm. Very reliable and serviced regularly I would recommend this machine to my students. It is a great machine With 18 built in stitches and does buttonholes beautifully. Another wonderful Janome product.  Show details

So far, so good – I will admit to being nervous about using a Janome, but so far it's very good. I'd like to update in 12 months as I have only had this machine for a week. The organisation of it is very well thought out, with the storage of tools etc on board the machine. It's nice to close it up and have no dust getting in. As it has a metal frame, it is solid… Read more

and doesn't jump around like some other machines I've heard about. I've sewn denim and it was ok. My Bernina 1005 is still stronger machine for that kind of thing, and faster. I'm not used to sewing at the slower rate (I might need an industrial machine!) however, this was all I could afford.

I purchased it as a package deal with the overlocker 8002DX. Check out my review on that!

Lovely sturdy machine – I bought this for myself in April 2015 and used it for making dog coats. I broke 4 Singer machines before buying this and it hasn't missed a beat, even though im rough on it and break needles regularly. It hasn't lost it's tension settings, even though I be seen multiple layers of canvas and wadding. I'm now doing quilting on it and making handbags.

Perfect! Never misses a beat – I have my machine for 18 years ... And it is amazing and I have never ever had a problem. Highly recommended

i luv it! – I had this machine for 3 months now, bought this machine after reading all the reviews here ( thank you guys) I luv this machine it runs very smooth and perfect. easy to learn, very understandable manual. great machine.i even cover stitch using twin needle, but the problem with twin needle is as there is only one spool holder the threads get tangled, I think I have to buy twin spool holder for that problem. liked everything about it nothing wrong

I love it!! – I've had my machine for 21 years and it's never been one bit of trouble. Its going for its first service tomorrow as i noticed it was full of dust when i removed the foot plate to remove a piece of snagged thread I'm not worried, she'll be fine! I'd recommend a New Home Janome to anyone! It is so easy to use and very reliable

Good to know that quality still exists – I have had my machine for about a month now and i'm impressed with it's features and it's build quality, it's easy to use and understand. it's also very strong and not all plastic construction like some brands. i would recommend the brand to anyone wanting a quality machine at the right price inexpensive,excellent quality and well designed  Show reply

Solid, reliable sewing beast!! – Lovely all metal body which sews like a dream. Very user friendly for advanced and beginnner sewers. I would buy this machine over and over. Very reliable, Metal body, easy to do button holes. Love this machine. Sometimes thread snaps (oh well)