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Janome 9400 review
As many of you know, I’ve been fortunate to be affiliated with Janome America for many years and sew on their great machines. They’ve come out with a new top-of-the-line NON-embroidery machine, the 9400. And as I have come to expect, they take something that is already really good and make it even better. We’re getting close to perfect! To see the machine on the Janome site, go here.
My newest sewing love, the Janome 9400! Notice the FABULOUS lighting? I love the pull-out light, too!
Over the past few months I’ve been able to put the machine through its paces, making a knit top, finishing a set of quilted placemats, finishing a small bag with zipper, and (who me?) piecing several quilt tops. The machine excelled at everything I threw at it! The 9400 has taken many features from the top of the line embroidery and sewing 15000 machine, including that awesome light on the top left that slides out. I think the design of it on the 9400 is even better than on the 15000, as it curves a bit.
One of the first things I did was some class samples for my Easy-Peasy Inside-Out Bag….including installing a zipper.
Zipper insertion for my Easy-Peasy Inside-Out Bag class sample. Notice how the zipper foot fits PERFECTLY, allowing me to use the zipper coil as a guide and getting the stitching **perfect** ? I used plum stitching as a decorative accent on the right side of the zipper, and am now stitching the second side of the zipper.
A bigger challenge, for both me and the machine, was to make a new top. I fell in love with the plum knit and bought it a year or so ago. I also love the aqua top, which is showing its age. I did a “rub off” which is where you make your own pattern using an existing garment. You can trace (with garment on top of paper) or rub (with garment under paper) to feel the edges and create pattern pieces. I extended the sleeves from 3/4 to full length, and am delighted at the machine and the results.
Success! I actually made a KNIT garment. The original shirt (purchased) is on the left. After making the pattern from that shirt, I made the plum one on the right. I’ll do a separate blogpost later this week with more info on how I did it and which stitches used.
I also have done quite a lot of piecing. I used the P foot which comes with the machine for my quarter inch seams, but decided to use the optional Clearview foot which I prefer. In a second project (which I can’t share yet because it is a Christmas surprise) I was astounded at how accurate my results were; I am NOT a piecer, and the feed on the machine worked very well (until my attention wandered, at which point I simply cut the threads, went back to my oops and fixed it).
Using the ClearView foot for piecing. I really like the red 1/8 and 1/4″ markings. This foot is available for both Janome’s 7mm and 9mm machines (the 7 and 9 refer to the maximum stitch width–you need to be sure you get the correct one to fit the “ankle” for your machine). Have I said how much I love it?
I also have been able to do both free-motion and walking foot quilting, though not as much yet as I would have liked. I finished a set of placemats and table runner called Modern Winter, which I prepared for Janome’s blog. You can find the pattern and information here.
Modern Winter placemats and table runner. Instructions/pattern on the Janome site at the link.
The one thing I keep trying to convince Janome to do is to create feet for the top of the line machines that is similar to the convertible FMQ (free motion quilting) feet for the Janome 8900/8200 and similar which I think are the best quilting feet Janome makes. In addition to the traditional “hopping” or darning foot used for free-motion quilting, the 9400, 15000, 12000 all have the QO and QC skimming FMQ feet which snap on to the ankle (which is really quick and easy). However, these feet are clear plastic and not round. They work great for most people’s purposes, but if you look at pretty much ALL quilting machines, the preferred and nearly universally available feet are metal CIRCLES. The metal is stronger and can, therefore, be thinner, which affords greater visibility. And by being a circle, you can echo quilt around (for example) an appliqué, then continue with free motion without having to change feet. This is a small quibble but one that is important to me.
The foot on the left is the Ruler Foot for the 8900, and the two bits on the right are the optional bottoms for FMQ, the open U (as Janome made it) and the circle (which Janome made closed, but I used my Dremel to open up a tiny bit). I would LOVE these options for the top of the line Janome machines (9400, 12000 and 15000).
One of the really cool things about the 9400 (which came down to it from the 15000) is the snap on feature for some of the quilting feet. In this image, you can see the echo quilting foot, the clear disc with red circles/lines, for the 9400 on the lower left. It just pops on and off the ankle like regular feet–fast, easy and effective. The other three in this image are from the bottom of the convertible FMQ foot for the 8900; you have to screw them on to the holder which is a small fuss.
I was MOST impressed at International Quilt Festival, Houston, this year. I introduced myself to the president of Janome America to say thank you for Janome’s continued support for the past decade-plus, and to ask about developing these feet for the 9400 and 15000 (and 12000). He whipped out a notebook and took notes! So as soon as I finish this post, I’m going to follow up with him with details I’ve been mulling over on how best to meet ALL needs for quilting–both hopping and skimming. Love Janome’s responsiveness! He said he’d send the info to headquarters in Japan–can’t do more than that!
Although you can read it on Janome’s site, I’m adding some info about the features and accessories included on this machine. Best of all, a lot of stores are offering “Holiday Incentives” on the price!
Janome 9400 Stitch Chart…hooray, my favorite stitches are still here!
Key Features:
- Top Loading Full Rotary Hook Bobbin System
- 350 Built-In Stitches and 4 Alphabets
- Superior Needle Threader
- Cloth Guide Included
- One-Step Needle Plate Conversion with 3 Included Plates
- Detachable AcuFeed Flex Layered Fabric Feeding System
- USB Port and Direct PC Connection
- Stitch Composer Stitch Creation Software
- Variable Zig Zag for Free Motion Quilting
- Straight Stitch Needle Plate with Left Needle Position for 1/4″ Seam Foot
- Professional HP Needle Plate and Foot
- Advanced Plate Markings
- Full Color LCD Touchscreen (4.4″ x 2.5″)
- Sewing Applications On-Screen Support
- Maximum Sewing Speed: 1,060 SPM
- Full Intensity Lighting System with 9 White LED Lamps in 4 Locations
- 11″ to the Right of the Needle
- Retractable High Light
Included Accessories:
- 1/4 Inch Seam Foot O
- AcuFeed Flex™ Dual Feed Holder with AD Foot
- Automatic Buttonhole Foot
- Blind Hem Foot G
- Button Sewing Foot
- Cloth Guide
- Darning Foot
- Extra Large Foot Controller
- Free Motion Quilting Closed Toe Foot
- HP Plate and Foot Set
- Open Toe Satin Stitch Foot
- Overedge Foot M
- Remote Thread Cutter Switch
- Rolled Hem Foot
- Satin Stitch Foot
- Seam Ripper
- Straight Stitch Needle Plate
- Zig-Zag Foot
- Zipper Foot E
So that’s my recap! I’ll do a couple follow-up posts on the placemats and shirt projects. Stay tuned!
December 5th, 2016 at 7:42 am
Great review with lots of pertinent information!
December 5th, 2016 at 9:54 am
Sounds like a great machine…if I ever need a new one, I’ll check with you first!
December 5th, 2016 at 10:52 am
Since you have his ear, please ask him to make a sit-down machine with a 16-20 inch harp AND feed dogs!
December 5th, 2016 at 11:29 am
I LOVE my new 9400! But I’m still mystified by the so-called free motion feet since they don’t attach to a hopping foot shank. Do you know what they are supposed to do that the darning foot doesn’t do better? Next time you talk to the Janome people, please add my vote to yours! And I have two friends here who would also agree.
December 5th, 2016 at 12:27 pm
Pat, I don’t know of a single machine in the industry that is a mid-arm to long-arm harp AND has feed dogs. The large harp space on the 9400/15000 is about as good as it gets with feed dogs. I don’t know if the market for that is too small or if the is a mechanical reason to not have the feed dogs on the ginormous harp.
December 5th, 2016 at 12:30 pm
Suzanne, I did an article on the skimming feet vs. the darning foot and other quilting feet for Machine Quilting Unlimited a year or two ago. For me, working on fused art quilts, I VASTLY PREFER the skimming feet, where you adjust the height of the foot and it doesn’t hop. The visibility is better–that bouncing foot gets in the way of me seeing clearly. I LOATHE the plastic oval–talk about utter and complete lack of visibility. I refuse to use it! It’s a matter of finding the FMQ foot that works for you, and clearly the darning foot (which I detest) really works well for you. The darning foot is better when you are working on something that is bumpy, like pieced quilts. The echo disc is THE Best for echoing, but to me clear plastic isn’t really clear and impedes visibility, so if I am doing ONLY echo quilting I use it, but if I want to echo AND free-motion, it’s not so good. Hence my plea for a round metal foot!
December 5th, 2016 at 12:44 pm
Sounds good, Kathy!
December 5th, 2016 at 4:25 pm
As someone who constantly uses the open toed walking foot on a Horizon 7700, I would love to see some markings added to it similar to what is on the Bernina. At the very least an indentation to show where the centre is.
And I don’t love the 7700 FMQ feet. I went out and bought one of those plastic ovals that you hate! I think it goes back to how I learned to FMQ.
December 6th, 2016 at 7:02 am
Hi Sarah, thanks for the review.I have both a 6500 and an 8200. I love the convertible foot and use one on both machines .Sometimes, when going over seams I will adjust it when I come to a thicker intersection. It makes it so much easier and is less distracting than a hopping foot.
I haven’t bought the 9mm clear view quarter inch foot for the 8200 but it is on my wish list as I do like the one I have for my 6500.
December 6th, 2016 at 7:03 am
not sure my last comment went.
December 6th, 2016 at 7:51 am
Sarah, does this machine have a stop start button . I use this feature on my 6600.
December 6th, 2016 at 8:42 am
Thank you for the review. A question.. It looks as if the machine has some gentle Serpentine stitches. The photo of the stitch chart seems to have one on the upper row, towards the right. Have you tried any? That alone would make me consider buying this one.
December 6th, 2016 at 9:11 am
Great post Sarah. I test drove this machine at my dealers and loved it, but not the same as taking it home and putting it through it’s paces. I don’t do much in the way of FMQ. Takes too much practice and I don’t have time for practicing if I ever want to finish anything!
December 6th, 2016 at 9:18 am
Yes, it definitely has a start-stop! In the usual “easy to reach with your thumb” spot.
December 6th, 2016 at 9:19 am
It absolutely does, in the usual spot right above the needle. Easy to reach with your thumb.
December 6th, 2016 at 9:20 am
Marie….I’ll try to remember to do a stitch out today when I’m downstairs on a scrap (or if I can find a practice quilt sandwich with an open spot, on that, too) and post/share with you. If I forget, remind me!
December 6th, 2016 at 9:21 am
Just practice FMQ on your projects! Placemats and Project Linus and kid quilts are ideal practice zones!
December 6th, 2016 at 9:21 am
PS–FMQ isn’t for everyone, so don’t stress. Do what you love!
December 6th, 2016 at 9:24 am
For some bizarre reason the spam catcher got it…Fixed it! And I agree, I LOVE the “not hopping” thing, which is why I want so much for them to make that foot available for these machines. I was stunned and pleased to have a quick reply from Mr. Yamamoto yesterday, and he is forwarding on my request. We’ll see if we can finally convince them!
December 6th, 2016 at 11:53 am
I just purchased the 9400 and think I will really love it. The auto presser foot lift is the best for applique. I tried my closed toe round metal FMQ foot from my 7700 on the 9400. It seemed to work okay. I didn’t do extensive quilting with it but I will. I’m still trying out all the FMQ feet that came with it. Thank you for putting in the request for the convertible feet. I used them all the time on my 7700.
December 6th, 2016 at 12:16 pm
Sarah, I found, since I love using decorative stitches, that I’m currently happy using them for a variation on stitch in the ditch. It is much easier on my body too than the FMQ. Someday I do hope to be able to do the FMQ, but it is not a priority with me.
December 6th, 2016 at 8:53 pm
Sarah, I am using the convertible FMQ foot with the ruler foot attachment on my 9400. It works very well
December 10th, 2016 at 6:43 pm
Tena, they can fit on, but the Janome folks have explained that in the start-up process, there is a “high lift” and the foot can jam, causing timing issues. Since I don’t own my machine (it’s a loaner) I’m am leery of endangering such an expensive machine. I think the better thing is for Janome to actually MAKE something that works without the danger bit. Luckily, I got a same-day answer from the President of Janome-America, and the education department will review and forward to Japan! It will take time for anything to actually happen, but I’ll sure post and sing hallelujahs if we get a foot that works!
December 10th, 2016 at 6:44 pm
Cass, here’s what I just shared with Tena (above) Tena, they can fit on, but the Janome folks have explained that in the start-up process, there is a “high lift” and the foot can jam, causing timing issues. Since I don’t own my machine (it’s a loaner) I’m am leery of endangering such an expensive machine. I think the better thing is for Janome to actually MAKE something that works without the danger bit. Luckily, I got a same-day answer from the President of Janome-America, and the education department will review and forward to Japan! It will take time for anything to actually happen, but I’ll sure post and sing hallelujahs if we get a foot that works!
December 10th, 2016 at 10:56 pm
Thanks for your reply, Sarah. I certainly don’t want to use the foot if it might damage my machine! I recently purchased a Westalee ruler foot and ruler set. I believe it will work okay on the 9400. I’m looking forward to trying it out.
March 15th, 2017 at 7:12 pm
Thanks for your review. I have a Janome 9400 and love many of its features, especially the auto presser foot elevation which is fantastic for machine appliqué. I also do free motion quilting and appreciate your comments about the feet. How do you adjust the height when using the skimming foot? Also, I saw that Janome has a special bobbin case for free motion quilting — do you know anything about it? Thanks in advance.
June 6th, 2017 at 10:27 am
OMG….I’m so sorry! Just found this message in my “for approval” box! The skimming foot: there is a screw at the top of one of the vertical posts…a wide, ridged disc really, that you adjust to change the height. Easy peasy. FMQ Bobbin case: it is exactly the same as the regular bobbin case except for two things: the arrow is blue, not red, and the pre-set tension is set for FMQ. If you do a LOT of FMQ and need a different bobbin tension setting than for regular sewing, it is really handy to have a separate one. If you rarely FMQ and know how to adjust the bobbin tension (if you even need to do so), then it probably isn’t needed. Personally, I keep the blue arrow in the machine at all times and use it for everything LOL! Hope this helps….and please write if you need more info. I’m so sorry about this getting lost in the bottom of my email inbox!