Janome 4120QDC-T Computerized Quilting and Sewing Machine with Bonus Quilt Kit

Finally replaced my 30 yr old kenmore machine which was hard to give up due to sentiments but boy, why did I wait so long! Move on with the times!! This machine is a game changer. The main plus for me (which surprised me) is the auto cutter. Definitely worth the price jump! The threader is the next feature I like but it’s extremely sensitive so make sure you treat it gently and place your needle in the correct position (highest) otherwise it won’t work. Now I regret not splurging with a complete auto threader since Changing threads something I always dread ...Many times I will use wrong color just because I’m too lazy to rethread. I thought I would love the no pedal on/off button but it freaks me out. Not useful for me since I make smaller projects and have to start and stop a lot. The location of the button is inconvenient. But it’s cool for the lettering mode. Wish I didn’t have to unplug the pedal to change to auto mode. One thing I wish the design was different on this machine is the location of the reverse button. It’s too small and not easily accessible. Another issue I don’t like is that the Auto locking stitch is too slow. I prefer to manually reverse. Overall, I love my sweet little Jenome. It’s light, quiet, responsive. I am yet to study the many features and stitches. I got it about two months ago.

I have sewn a few basic baby blankets and other simple items over the years on my grandmothers Viking Husqvarna from the 1960’s. It was a bit frustrating to use. I just received my Janome and I am so impressed! The box arrived undamaged. All parts were present and easily identifiable using the owners manual. The DVD contains a quick users guide to the machine so one can start sewing within just minutes. Threading the machine is easy as each step is numbered on the machine. It also contains detailed and easy instructions for maintenance - there are just a few steps. Super easy! The computer screen is VERY easy to use once you understand the few graphics. I practiced many of the stitches included with the machine. Each stitch will recommend a presser foot which is identified by the letter on the foot itself, so easy to get it all right!!! I kicked out an easy jelly roll quilt top in two hours. The machine is quiet, the presser foot moves over stubborn layered fabric without getting stuck and threading a bobbin has never been easier. My only complaints are I am having trouble using the auto needle threading because the hook is so small - I am either not threading it correctly or the needle hole is not lined up. Also, there is just a little lag time from pressing on the pedal to the machine and the machine engaging and speeding up. Last, when I press the power button, there is a one to two second delay for the light to come on and to hear the machine ‘engage.’ If you don’t wait, you will be flipping the switch on/off with some confusion. I look forward to being sew crafty! If you are a serious newbie like me, this is a great machine due to its simplicity and the advanced quilting/stitching and other things you can do on the machine. Update: I was able to figure out using the needle threader - a truly wonderful addition to sewing machines, it is quick! Also, I have moved onto more complicated quilts. I have cleaned the machine twice of lint and fuzz, again easy to do. I replaced the needle as recommended which took just seconds. I easily have 50 hours on the machine now and it is still dreamy. I also use the quilt foot for free motion quilting which worked great - it is just exhausting to fight the layers and move them around the limited throat.

I have been sewing for 40+ years, but have only started quilting in the last year. I have a Kenmore machine and a Baby Lock Serger that I have used most of those 40 years, so this computerized machine was rather intimidating. But the learning curve was almost nothing! The hardest part for me was getting used to the start/stop button instead of the pedal. This machine includes a pedal if you want, but i wanted to try the button. So much faster once I got used to it. The lock stitch and thread cutter buttons are also great time savers, no more picking up all those little threads and grabbing scissors at the end of every seam. The speed control is great, keeping a constant speed, better than using the pedal. The only issue I have had so far is using knit material with the stretch stitch, getting the tension correct is gonna take some practice, more trial and error than my old machines. It was a bit pricey for a hobby sewing machine, but when comparing it with a couple of other machines in the same price range, this one had all the features I wanted.

I ordered this Janome just after I buried my 40 year old Pfaff 1229. I beat this machine up through the years and depended upon it for everything. I shopped for a machine that had a dual feed system, such as I was used to, but did not have $2,000.00 for anything comparable. When my Janome arrived, I already regretted choosing it and was very negative as I unpacked it and set it up. I watched the video, read the manual and began to sew. I haven't stopped. This wonderful sewing machine has stood the test. I appliqued all day , the next day I spelled out phrases and words with the beautiful alphabet and I also played with the decorative stitches. All were beautiful. But let's be realistic, I wanted a heavy duty machine to quilt with. Since my purchase, I have made 4 baby quilts, 2 lap quilts and have another 2 almost finished. I LOVE THIS MACHINE. I am so glad it is heavy, doesn't waddle on the table, not easily tippable (like my friends BROTHER) and it is quiet. How did I get it right?? I feel so lucky and blessed. I'm keeping it and recommending it to beginner and experienced sewers.

I am a sewing machine nerd, I did a lot of research before finding this Janome model. I've had this machine for about 2 months and I have been using it almost daily. There is nothing that this sewing machine cannot sew! It's a beautiful piece of machinery. Very stable. The light is bright, automatic needle threader is so easy to use. The thread cutter feature is the best!! If you are looking for a reliable sewing machine without all of the bells and whistles of a true embroidery machine - buy this one. The letter embroidery stitches are small - but it's not a game-changer for me, as I mostly sew garments and bags. I have sewed jersey knits, cotton, silk and lace. Never had a thread get stuck, no tension problems. It's just fantastic!!

I bought this as an upgrade to a Kenmore that I've had for 17 years but didn't have a lot of use over that time. I go through phases with sewing and once I get frustrated with my machine, I put it away and don't sew again for a long time. But since I bought this machine, I have sewed pretty much constantly for the past five months because I've yet to get frustrated with it. Love the thread cutter function so much that I'm not sure how I ever sewed without it (and the 1/4" guide foot that comes with the machine.) I'm convinced that good tools make all the difference and this is a great tool. My only small complaint is that it is a little big light and does bounce if I'm using a lightweight folding table. But if I stick to a regular wood table, it solves that problem.

Check to make sure that the 1/4" seam guide foot is the right foot by installing it and lowering the needle by hand only to see if it will strike the foot. More later. My wife and I joined a group who were making quilts for an Orphanage in Kenya Africa. We started out sewing with a $10 thrift store machine but when we found how much we liked quilt making we purchased 4120QDC. The QDC works very well for all the various types of sewing required for quilts and has many other functions we are still discovering.The instructions are adequate to operate the machine and they delve into some sewing instruction. The DVD instructional is very good but I like hard copy for quick reference. We had a problem with one of the presser feet that came with the machine. The needle came down on the foot when lowered and further investigation (looked up the foot on Janome site) showed that it was the wrong foot. I consider this to be a safety concern so I contacted the seller. After 25 e-mails I just gave up trying to explain and they were not concerned about safety at all. They finally agreed to send me the correct foot, but I had told them I had already purchased one so we could finish the quilts. I asked them 4 or 5 times during this conversation if it would be OK to continue to use the machine but only when pressed at the end of our discussion did they finally come out and say that it was OK. I still have no confidence in this claim because they did not give me any reasoning for the claim.

This sewing machine is replacing my 38 year old Viking 990. While I am looking into having my Viking repaired, I wanted some new features that were not available 35 years ago. I have a bit of a learning curve to master but that should not take too long. I love the automatic threader and thread cutter. The only thing that I'm having trouble with is when the threads are cut, sometimes the thread comes out of the needle and I have to rethread the needle before continuing with my sewing. This Janome seems to be a quality product and well worth the money.