Janome is a Japanese company well-known for manufacturing a wide range of both industrial and home-use sewing machines. With the roots of the business having been formed back in the early 1920s, the company has had quite some time in which to develop its skills and expertise in this area. And it’s certainly paid off as Janome is now considered to be a household brand when it comes to sewing. It’s also the go-to brand for quite a large number of users.
If you’re looking for a high-class sewing machine, that’s functional, well made, and won’t buckle at the first sight of something thicker than a piece of cotton, the Janome 3160QDC may be just the model for you. Released a good few years ago now, it’s a computerized machine that’s got quite a lot to offer both the beginner and advanced machinist. And in this review, you’ll get a chance to see just what features it does have and whether you’re a match.
Janome 3160 Review: Overview
Being a computerized sewing machine, it probably doesn’t come as much of a surprise that it’s packed full of fantastic features. There’s an automatic needle threader in which to save you the trouble. And, it also has a handy thread cutter that will snip both the top and bottom of the thread, so there’s no need to hunt for those scissors every five minutes.
If you want to reinforce your stitching to prevent it from fraying, there’s a very conveniently located reverse stitch button right on the face of the machine. You can also choose whether to position the needle either up or down when you stop sewing or sew without the use of a foot pedal – all through the press of a couple of buttons.
The maximum sewing speed on this machine is a very reasonable 820 stitches per minute. And thanks to the machine’s solid and sturdy frame, there’s no excess vibration when in use, even at those top speeds.
Easy to Operate
Even though it’s more of an intermediate level sewing machine, the Janome 3160QDC is still a very user-friendly machine. Measuring in at 15” x 8.4” x 6.9” and weighing 12.6 pounds, it’s quite a lightweight machine, which is very useful for those needing to use it on the move. It’s also an attractive feature for newcomers. Starting off on a large machine can be very daunting. As well as having a subtle look, the Janome 3160QDC is also nice and simple to use.
It features a jam-proof, top-loading bobbin system that makes changing your bobbin very light work, keeping your machine downtime to a minimum. Even if time is of no real concern, the fact that’s it’s top-loading makes it very easy for beginners, and being jam-resistant is obviously another a huge advantage.
The LCD control panel is clear and easy to navigate, while all the manual buttons and dials take very little effort to use. Here you can see all your chosen stitch options including the stitch type, length, and width.
A High Degree of Versatility
It’s not just sewing tasks that can be completed using this machine. The Janome 3160QDC is a pretty tough machine, and as such, is capable of dealing with a wide range of fabrics. Material such as cotton, knits, and even pieces of multiple layers are fine to use with this machine. However, if you are thinking of sewing anything like fur or leather, this may not be the best model for you.
To help you with both your sewing and quilting projects there is a range of presser feet included with the Janome 3160QDC including a satin stitch foot, a zipper foot, ab overedge foot, and a ¼” presser foot. The extension table makes larger sewing projects and quilting a breeze. To attach it, just remove the accessory case and slide it into position.
And, it also has a superior 7-piece feed dog system that provides additional support for the feeding through of your fabric. There’s no skipping of stitches with this machine.
A Good Selection of Stitches
To help you complete all your sewing and quilting projects, there are 60 built-in stitches and 6 buttonholes to work with on the Janome 3160QDC. The stitches are a mixture of basic, zigzag, and decorative stitches. While it’s not a huge collection, what is there, will give you enough variety to complete a range of both sewing and quilting projects.
Another bonus with the Janome 3160QDC is that it’s so easy to set up. Simply follow the instructions in the enclosed manual for guidance in things like loading the bobbin, and threading the machine, and you’ll be up and running in no time.
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In addition to the machine and all its presser feet, there are a number of other great accessories included helping enhance your sewing experience (and to help make life a little easier). You get 3 bobbins, 1 spool pin felt, 3 extra needles, an extra spool pin, a seam ripper, screwdriver, lint brush, 2 different size spool holders, a spool stand, and a hard cover in which to protect your machine when transporting.
Janome 3160 Review: Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a new, computerized sewing machine that’s packed full of great features like an automatic needle threader, an adjustable pressure foot presser, an adjustable top thread design, and a wide range of accessories to help you do some quality quilting, then the Janome 3160QDC may be the machine for you.
In addition to all of that, it’s also got a good amount of stitch options to work with, and everything runs as smooth as silk. It’s got the same sturdiness we’ve all come to know and love in a Janome sewing machine, and it looks great too.
So, if you are in need of a top-quality machine to cater to all your sewing and quilting needs, be sure to check out the Janome 3160QDC as I’m certain you won’t be disappointed.
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