Janome Hello Kitty: Electric Sewing Machine KT-35: Full Review

Janome is a leading sewing machine brand that has been around since the 1920s. They are known for making high-quality and innovative sewing and embroidery machines.

The Hello Kitty line is one of Janome's specialty series that features the popular Sanrio character. Janome launched it in partnership with Sanrio to appeal to sewers and crafters who love Hello Kitty.

The line includes mechanical and computerized sewing machines in pink and white colors with Hello Kitty embellishments. The machines have many built-in stitches and easy to use features. Janome aims this line at beginners, children, and fans of the cute character.

The Janome Hello Kitty KT-35 is an entry-level mechanical sewing machine in this line. As we'll explore, it has helpful attributes for new sewers while still carrying Janome's hallmarks of quality and reliability.

Appearance and Design

The Janome Hello Kitty Sewing Machine has a fun, cute, and playful appearance that Hello Kitty fans are sure to appreciate. The machine is white with a pink faceplate featuring Hello Kitty graphics. It has a compact and lightweight design, weighing just 12.8 pounds and with dimensions of 15.2 x 6.7 x 11.4 inches. Despite being lightweight and compact, the machine does not feel flimsy and has a sturdy build quality. The body is made of durable plastic that can withstand regular sewing use. The machine has a modern, streamlined shape with smooth contours. All the operational parts like the hand wheel, bobbin winder, buttons and dials are ergonomically placed for ease of use. Overall, the appearance focuses more on being cute and playful rather than professional. The design gives it a toy-like quality that kids and Hello Kitty fans will enjoy.

In contrast, the Janome 3160QDC-G: Sewing and Quilting Machine with Bonus Quilt Kit! is designed for more serious sewing and quilting projects. It features a sleek, professional design that includes numerous built-in stitches and an easy-to-use LCD screen. The machine also comes with a bonus quilt kit, making it a perfect choice for quilters. Its sturdy construction and advanced features provide excellent support for all kinds of sewing tasks, appealing to both beginners and experienced users alike.

Features

The Janome Hello Kitty Sewing Machine (KT-35) comes with 12 built-in stitches including basic, stretch, decorative, and buttonhole stitches. It has 4 step buttonhole stitching for professional buttonholes.

There is a bright LED screen that displays the selected stitch. The sewing speed can be adjusted with a slider to go from slow to fast. This makes it easy to control the speed for beginners or for sewing delicate fabrics.

The machine comes with several handy accessories including a zipper foot, buttonhole foot, seam ripper, 4 bobbins, needle set, screwdriver, and more. These extras provide everything you need to get started sewing right out of the box.

Overall, the Janome KT-35 has a solid set of features for basic sewing and garment construction. The variety of stitches paired with the speed control gives you flexibility when sewing different types of fabrics and projects. The included accessories make it user-friendly for sewists of all levels.

Additionally, the Janome Treadle Powered Sewing Machine 712T offers a traditional sewing experience, combining timeless design with modern functionality. This machine is powered by foot and allows for precise control over speed, making it ideal for enthusiasts who appreciate the rhythm of treadle sewing. Its sturdy construction ensures durability, while the variety of features makes it suitable for various projects. Whether you’re sewing quilts or garments, the Janome 712T is built to provide reliable performance and ease of use.

Ease of Use

The Janome Hello Kitty KT-35 sewing machine is designed for ease of use, especially for beginners. The instruction manual is clear and easy to follow, walking you through the initial setup process step-by-step.

Threading the machine is straightforward, with easy to follow diagrams printed directly on the machine. There is a convenient thread cutter located on the side of the machine body. The top thread tension is adjusted via a numbered dial, making it simple to set the proper tension.

The controls on the front of the machine are clearly labeled with easy to understand icons. There are dials to select the stitch type and stitch length. A reverse sewing lever allows you to backstitch. The foot pedal provides good speed control.

The Janome KT-35 comes with 7 snap-on presser feet for basic sewing tasks like hemming, zippers, buttons, and more. Changing presser feet is quick and does not require any tools.

Overall, the Janome Hello Kitty is designed for simplicity and ease of use, from initial setup to sewing. The controls are intuitive and easy to operate even for beginners. The instruction manual provides excellent guidance.

Sewing Performance

The Janome Hello Kitty KT-35 sewing machine performs very well for basic sewing tasks. It can handle a range of fabrics from lightweight to medium-weight with ease. The stitch quality is excellent, producing neat and even seams on both woven and knit fabrics.

The machine sews smoothly through multiple layers of fabric without skipping stitches or slowing down. It can handle quilting small projects or sewing thicker materials like denim without an issue. The feed dogs provide good grip and control when sewing, preventing fabrics from slipping and puckering.

Buttonholes are one area where the Janome KT-35 really shines. It has a one-step buttonhole function that produces perfectly uniform, professional-looking buttonholes. They are neat, well-defined and come out the same every time. The machine makes buttonholes that are dense, durable and able to withstand frequent use. This is a huge plus for sewing garments or projects requiring buttonholes.

Overall, the sewing performance of the Janome Hello Kitty KT-35 is excellent for the price point. It can handle a wide variety of fabrics and produces high quality stitches and buttonholes. The machine has enough power and features to satisfy the needs of beginner to intermediate sewers.

Noise Level

The Janome Hello Kitty Sewing Machine runs quietly for a home sewing machine. Many users note how impressed they are with the low noise levels, especially given the low price point of this model.

The machine produces a low humming sound when running, but is not overly loud or distracting. There is very minimal vibration from the internal mechanisms. The noise level stays consistent even at high sewing speeds.

You can comfortably carry on a conversation, listen to music or TV, or sew late at night without the noise being disruptive. The quiet operation makes the Janome Hello Kitty a great choice for an apartment or shared space where you don't want to disturb others.

Overall, the noise output is comparable to more expensive machines and should not be an issue for most home sewers. The quiet operation adds to the ease of use and enjoyment of this cute and capable sewing machine.

Maintenance

The Janome Hello Kitty is a fairly low maintenance machine. Here are some tips for keeping it running smoothly:

Cleaning - It's important to keep your machine free of lint and dust, which can build up inside over time. Wipe down the exterior with a soft cloth and use the included brush to gently clean around the bobbin area. Don't use harsh chemicals or submerge the machine in water.

Oiling - The Janome Hello Kitty is oiled at the factory, so you shouldn't need to oil it yourself. But after heavy use, a drop of sewing machine oil on the key points recommended in the manual can help keep things operating properly. Avoid over-oiling.

Troubleshooting - Refer to the manual if you run into any problems. Issues like skipped stitches, tangled thread, or unusual noises can often be fixed with simple adjustments. If needed, a sewing machine repair specialist can provide service. But the Janome Hello Kitty is known as a reliable, trouble-free machine for most users.

Warranty

The Janome Hello Kitty Sewing Machine comes with a 25-year limited warranty. This is an exceptionally long warranty compared to most other entry-level sewing machines.

The warranty covers defects in materials or workmanship for 25 years from the date of purchase. To be covered, the machine would need to be registered within 30 days of purchase.

The warranty is facilitated through Janome service centers. If an issue arises, customers can bring the machine to an authorized service center for repair. Janome has hundreds of service centers throughout the United States and Canada.

The warranty does not cover damage caused by improper use, neglect, natural disasters, alterations, or unauthorized service. Normal adjustments, lubrication, and tune-ups are also not covered.

Customers have reported positive experiences with Janome's customer service. Phone support is available, and representatives are said to be knowledgeable and friendly. The service centers also tend to have quick turnaround times for repairs.

Overall, the 25-year warranty provides peace of mind and demonstrates Janome's confidence in the quality and durability of their sewing machines. Customers can feel secure knowing the machine is covered for defects for decades after purchase.

Pros

• Cute and stylish design appeals to younger and beginner sewers. The Hello Kitty branding makes sewing fun.

• Lightweight and portable at only 12.8 lbs. Easy to transport to classes or sew on the go.

• Includes 18 built-in stitches for basic sewing, quilting, and decorative work. Enough versatility for most light sewing projects.

• Drop feed dogs make free-motion embroidery and quilting easy. No need to attach an embroidery foot accessory.

Cons

• The Hello Kitty design may not appeal to all users - some may prefer a more mature, understated appearance. The bright colors and cartoon character may be seen as childish.

• Smaller work area and throat size than standard sewing machines - measures just 5"x7", which could limit projects. Not ideal for large or bulky fabrics.

• Limited built-in stitches - only 15 stitches total, which is far fewer than many computerized machines offer. May lack options needed for certain projects.

• Lightweight plastic construction - some users report the machine feels flimsy/cheap. All plastic casing may be less durable than metal counterparts.