Janome HD5000 Black Edition: Heavy Duty Sewing Machine with Bonus Quilt Kit: Full Review

The Janome HD5000 is a heavy duty sewing machine designed for advanced home sewing and quilting. This black edition machine comes with an impressive array of features, making it suitable for working on heavyweight fabrics like denim, canvas, and multiple layers.

With 50 built-in stitches including utility, stretch, decorative, and buttonhole options, this computerized sewing machine can handle a wide variety of projects. The HD5000 is straightforward to operate with a back-lit LCD screen, speed control slider, needle up/down button, and easy stitch selection. It's built with a powerful motor that provides extra piercing power when sewing through thick seams.

An automatic needle threader, top loading bobbin system, and drop feed for free motion quilting make sewing tasks simple and efficient. Hard cover and extension table provide a sturdy, stable work area. A wide range of included accessories such as quilting feet, needles, bobbins, seam ripper, and more, make this machine ready to tackle heavyweight projects right out of the box.

With its heavy duty construction, array of features, and smooth operation, the Janome HD5000 offers advanced sewing and quilting capabilities. This review will provide an in-depth look at the performance and ease of use of this black edition heavy duty machine.

Specifications

The Janome HD5000 is a heavy duty sewing machine that weighs approximately 18 pounds and measures 17 x 8.25 x 12 inches. Despite the heavy duty build, it has a relatively compact footprint making it a good option even for those with limited sewing space.

It can sew up to 860 stitches per minute, making it suitable for most sewing projects. There are 18 built-in stitches including a 4-step buttonhole. The maximum stitch width is 7mm and stitch length is 5mm. There is also a built-in needle threader for convenience.

Overall, the specifications make the Janome HD5000 well-suited for most general sewing needs from garment construction to home decor projects. The combination of heavy duty build with ample stitch options and high sewing speed allow it to tackle everything from lightweight fabrics to multiple layers of denim.

In addition to the HD5000, Janome also offers the Janome 4120QDC-T: Computerized Quilting and Sewing Machine with Bonus Quilt Kit. This model is a versatile quilting and sewing machine that includes a bonus quilt kit, making it ideal for quilting enthusiasts. The 4120QDC-T features advanced computerized controls, a wide variety of stitches, and extra accessories to enhance your sewing experience. It is designed to handle intricate quilting projects with ease, providing both precision and efficiency for all your sewing needs.

Features

The Janome HD5000 Black Edition is packed with features to make sewing easier and more enjoyable. Some of the key features include:

• Automatic needle threader - This handy feature threads the needle for you with the push of a lever, saving time and frustration.

• Top loading full rotary hook bobbin - The bobbin loads from the top of the machine, making it easy to access and replace. The full rotary hook design provides superior stitch quality and control.

• Easy reverse lever - Reverse the stitch direction easily with a convenient lever. No need to take your hands off the fabric.

• Extra high presser foot lift - The presser foot lifts to a height of 12mm, allowing ample space to slide thick fabrics or quilts under the foot easily.

• Adjustable presser foot pressure - Customize the amount of pressure the foot applies to the fabric for optimal feeding ability. Helpful when sewing delicate fabrics.

• 7 piece feed dog - The specially designed feed dogs grip fabric better for smooth, even feeding through the machine. Great for sewing a variety of fabrics.

• Free arm - The flat bed easily removes to expose the free arm, perfect for sewing sleeves, pant legs, and other tubular areas.

• Drop feed - Lower the feed dogs for free motion quilting, stippling, and darning.

• LED light - Brightly illuminates the sewing area for better visibility.

The Janome HD5000 includes the essential features for effortless sewing and quilting, even as a beginner. The easy-to-use controls make sewing a breeze.

For those looking for advanced functionality, the Janome Sewist 780DC: Computerized Sewing Machine offers precision and convenience with its extensive range of built-in stitches and automatic settings. It is perfect for both novices and experienced sewers, providing easy-to-navigate computerized controls, multiple buttonhole styles, and superior stitch quality. Experience effortless creativity and versatility with this modern sewing machine model.

Ease of Use

The Janome HD5000 is designed to be very user-friendly for both beginner and experienced sewers. It has an intuitive layout with clearly marked buttons and dials that are easy to understand.

Threading the machine is straightforward with easy-to-follow threading guides printed right on the machine. There is a convenient needle threader that helps pull the thread right through the needle eye so you don't have to struggle with threading. The bobbin can be loaded and threaded quickly following the diagrams on the bobbin cover.

Sewing with the Janome HD5000 is effortless thanks to features like the speed control slider which allows you to adjust the maximum speed as you get comfortable sewing. You can take it slow as a beginner or speed things up as an experienced sewer. The foot pressure dial also lets you adjust presser foot pressure for different fabric types.

Overall, the well-labeled buttons, intuitive layout, easy threading system, adjustable speed, and presser foot pressure controls make this a very user-friendly sewing machine. Both beginners and experts will find it easy to get set up and start sewing right away.

Stitch Quality

The Janome HD5000 produces excellent stitch quality across a wide variety of fabrics. The stitches are very consistent with even feeding and no puckering on light weight fabrics like chiffon. Heavier fabrics like denim and canvas are handled equally as well with no skipped stitches or thread jams. Even at high speeds, the stitch formation stays consistent without any looping or bunching of the thread. The top stitching is smooth and even when going over seams and thicker layers.

The HD5000 sews smoothly without any vibration or noise even at high speeds. This allows full control when sewing detailed stitches or precise seams. The machine glides effortlessly over all types of fabrics from silk to multiple layers of fleece with no hesitation. The feed dogs provide excellent grip and control when sewing slippery or stretchy fabrics.

Overall the stitch quality rivals more expensive machines and allows the creation of high quality garments with professional results across all fabric types. The HD5000 can handle delicate fabrics with ease and power through heavy duty projects without compromising the stitch appearance.

Included Accessories

The Janome HD5000 comes with a generous amount of accessories to get you started sewing right out of the box. One of the best bonuses is the quilting kit that's included. This contains a quilting guide, acrylic extension table, circular sewing attachment, and walking foot. Together, these accessories make quilting much easier.

Other handy accessories include a zipper foot, satin stitch foot, blind hem foot, buttonhole foot, and button sewing foot. This gives you the ability to create a wide variety of projects beyond just basic sewing.

Several bobbins are included so you can wind multiple thread colors without having to stop and re-wind mid-project. There's also a pack of needles, screwdriver, spool holder, spool caps, seam ripper, and lint brush. An instructional DVD and hard cover user's manual round out the contents to help you learn to use the machine.

Overall, Janome packs this sewing machine with every accessory a beginner or intermediate sewer needs to start sewing successfully. The quilting kit is an exceptionally useful bonus not found on many other models.

Noise Level

The Janome HD5000 produces minimal noise while sewing, even at high speeds. The internal components and mechanics operate smoothly and quietly. You can carry on a conversation in normal tones, listen to music or TV, and take phone calls while the machine is running without disruption. This makes the HD5000 a great option if you need to sew while others are sleeping or working nearby.

Some reviewers note the HD5000 is quieter than other heavy duty machines they've used. The sound output is more of a low hum than a loud roar. While not completely silent, the noise level is impressively low for a powerful motor. You won't disturb your family members or draw complaints from a downstairs neighbor.

The quiet operation allows you to sew comfortably for long periods without getting a headache from loud machinery. You can enjoy your sewing time without blasting music or wearing ear protection to drown out noise. This machine won't force you out of your living space to avoid disrupting others. The relatively peaceful sewing experience is a major perk for many owners.

Maintenance

The Janome HD5000 requires regular maintenance to keep it running smoothly. Here are some tips for cleaning, oiling, and general upkeep:

Cleaning - It's important to keep your sewing machine free of dust and lint to prevent jams and allow the moving parts to operate properly. Wipe down the exterior with a dry cloth regularly. Use the included brush to clean out any lint buildup in the bobbin area and around the feed dogs.

Oiling - The HD5000 should be oiled periodically to lubricate the moving parts. Refer to your instruction manual for oiling points and frequency. Generally, a few drops of sewing machine oil every 6 months is sufficient. Apply oil to places like the handwheel, bobbin case, and shuttle.

Upkeep - Don't store things on top of your machine as the added weight can damage the body over time. Let your machine rest at room temperature when not in use. After finishing a project, remove the needle plate and feed dogs to get rid of any stray threads or debris. Replace needles regularly, especially if they become bent or dull. Always make sure to use the correct needle system and size for your fabric type. Following these basic maintenance steps will help keep your Janome HD5000 running smoothly for years!

Warranty

The Janome HD5000 comes with an impressive 25-year limited warranty. This is one of the longest warranties available for a home sewing machine.

The 25-year warranty covers the sewing machine head, which includes the motor, wiring, and internal mechanisms. So you can have peace of mind knowing that the internal workings are covered for defects and malfunctions for an extended time period.

The warranty is limited, so it does not cover any accessories, attachments, or damage from improper use, care, or maintenance. Normal wear and tear is also not covered.

To take advantage of the warranty, you will need to provide proof of purchase and have the sewing machine serviced by an authorized Janome retailer.

Overall, the 25-year warranty provides excellent protection and shows that Janome stands behind the quality and durability of this heavy-duty sewing machine. It's a big advantage over machines with shorter warranty periods.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Heavy duty all metal interior construction allows sewing through multiple layers of fabric
• Powerful motor provides strength and speed for tackling thick fabrics
• Automatic needle threader saves time and frustration
• Top loading bobbin is easy to insert and remove
• Built-in thread cutter for quick snipping
• Adjustable presser foot pressure for optimum stitch quality
• Drop feed option for free-motion techniques
• 25 year limited warranty provides peace of mind

Cons:

• Large size and heavy weight makes machine less portable
• Loud noise when operating at high speeds
• Buttonhole foot not included
• Limited selection of built-in stitches compared to computerized machines
• Manual thread tension adjustments can be tricky

Overall, the Janome HD5000 is ideal for sewists looking for a durable, heavy duty machine capable of handling thick fabrics with ease. It's a workhorse designed for sewing performance rather than lots of decorative stitches. The easy threading and bobbin features make it beginner friendly too. Just be prepared for the large footprint and noise at high speeds.