Janome Sewist 709: Sewing Machine: Full Review

The Janome Sewist 709 is a lightweight, compact sewing machine aimed at beginners and hobbyists. Janome is a well-known brand that has been making sewing machines since the 1960s. The Sewist 709 model offers easy operation and versatility at an affordable price point.

This sewing machine has a modern, streamlined design with a two-tone finish. Weighing in at just over 10 pounds, the 709 is lightweight and portable. The compact size makes it easy to store away when not in use. Despite the small footprint, it does not feel flimsy or cheap. The overall build quality is solid.

With 11 built-in stitches and a four-step buttonhole, the 709 covers all the basics for clothing construction and home decor projects. It includes essential stitches like straight, zigzag, blind hem, and stretch. Four snap-on presser feet add convenience and versatility.

The Sewist 709 is designed to be user-friendly for sewers of all skill levels. Adjustable settings, easy thread paths, and a top-loading bobbin help simplify the sewing process. The machine offers free-arm capability and a bright LED light to illuminate the sewing area.

While it lacks some of the more advanced features of pricier machines, the Janome 709 provides good value. For crafters and hobby sewers seeking an entry-level machine, the Sewist 709 is a worthwhile choice to consider.

Design & Build Quality

The Janome Sewist 709 is a compact and lightweight sewing machine that is easy to transport and store. It weighs around 12 pounds and has a modern, sleek white and mint green color scheme. The machine body is made of durable plastic that feels sturdy.

The Sewist 709 has a free arm for sewing sleeves and pant legs. The flat bed provides ample space for large projects. The dimensions are approximately 15.2 x 6.7 x 11.8 inches, making it a good size for small spaces or taking to classes.

Overall, the physical design is streamlined and minimalistic. While mostly plastic, the build quality feels reliable for regular use. The lighter weight makes it easy to carry the machine to different rooms or pack it up for sewing class.

Another excellent option is the Janome Treadle Powered Sewing Machine 712T, which combines traditional treadle operation with modern features. This model offers an elegant wooden cabinet that enhances its aesthetic value while providing stability. The 712T allows for smooth, controlled sewing, making it perfect for those who enjoy a hands-on approach. With its classic design and reliable performance, it stands as a versatile choice for sewing enthusiasts.

Ease of Use

The Janome Sewist 709 has an intuitive and user-friendly interface that makes it easy to operate even for beginners. The top-loading bobbin is easy to insert and the see-through cover lets you monitor the bobbin thread supply.

There is a start/stop button that allows you to sew without using the foot pedal if desired. The speed control slider lets you adjust sewing speed. The reverse button makes it simple to reinforce stitches.

Turning the handwheel moves the needle up/down to raise and lower the presser foot. There are also buttons to cut threads and automatically lock stitching.

Settings are adjusted using manual dials on the front of the machine. There is a dial for selecting stitch length and width. You can easily adjust tension with the thread tension dial. The stitch selector knob allows you to choose from 17 built-in stitches.

An LCD screen clearly displays your selected stitch settings. LED lights illuminate the sewing area for better visibility. Overall, the controls are intuitive and allow both beginners and experienced sewers to easily operate the machine.

In addition to the Sewist 709, the Janome Sewist 721: Sewing Machine offers an enhanced experience with additional features. It boasts a wider range of built-in stitches, including decorative options, and provides an automatic needle threader for convenience. The machine also comes with a larger LCD screen for easier navigation between settings, making it ideal for more advanced projects. Effortless adjustments and a more powerful motor allow for improved performance on various fabric types, catering to both novice and experienced sewists alike.

Features

The Janome Sewist 709 sewing machine comes packed with features to make sewing and crafting easy and enjoyable.

Sewing Modes

The Sewist 709 includes 7 types of sewing modes:

• Straight Stitch
• Zigzag
• Blind Hem
• Buttonhole
• 4-step Buttonhole
• Overcasting
• Overedge

Having multiple sewing modes allows you to tackle different fabric types and sewing projects without needing specialty stitch attachments. The sewing modes cover all the basics like straight stitching, zigzag, and buttonholes.

Stitches

This Janome model offers 15 built-in stitches including:

• Straight Stitch
• Zigzag
• Blind Hem
• Buttonhole
• 4-Step Buttonhole
• Overcasting
• Overedge
• Honeycomb Stitch
• Feather Stitch
• Slant Overedge
• Knit Stitch
• Double Overlock
• Rick-rack Stitch
• Serpentine Stitch
• Entredeux Stitch

15 stitches provides versatility for sewing most types of fabrics and projects as a beginner or intermediate sewer.

Other Features

Some other noteworthy features include:

• Drop Feed Dog for free-motion sewing and quilting
• Three needle position settings
• Twin needle sewing
• Easy reverse sewing lever
• Adjustable stitch length (0-4mm)
• Adjustable stitch width (0-5mm)
• Adjustable presser foot pressure
• Free arm for sewing sleeves and pant legs
• Built-in thread cutter
• Easy turn dial stitch selection
• Automatic needle threader
• Extra high presser foot lift
• Onboard storage compartments

The Janome Sewist 709 is designed to be intuitive and easy to use right out of the box while still offering versatility for different sewing techniques.

Sewing Performance

The Janome Sewist 709 offers excellent sewing performance that both beginners and experienced sewers will appreciate. It has a maximum sewing speed of 800 stitches per minute, giving you the ability to sew faster on straight stitches and baste long seams quickly. The motor provides ample power for sewing through multiple layers of fabric without hesitation or straining. Stitch quality is superb - stitches are even and consistent at all speeds thanks to the built-in microprocessor which helps keep stitches balanced. The 709 sews smoothly without skipped stitches, even when sewing thicker fabrics like denim. The machine glides effortlessly when sewing, making it a pleasure to use for long sewing sessions. The feed dogs provide good grip and feeding action, enabling accurate seaming. Overall the sewing performance of the Janome Sewist 709 makes it a great choice for sewists looking for smooth, consistent stitch quality and power to handle most sewing projects with ease.

Accessories

The Janome Sewist 709 comes with several handy accessories and attachments right out of the box.

Included Accessories:

• Hard Cover
• Zipper Foot
• Satin Stitch Foot
• Blind Hem Foot
• Sliding Buttonhole Foot
• Button Sewing Foot
• Seam Ripper
• Bobbins
• Needle Set
• Screwdriver
• Spool Holder Cap
• Spool Pin Felt
• Spool Pin
• Additional Spool Pin
• Soft Cover
• Foot Control
• Power Cord
• Instruction Manual

The inclusion of a hard cover, zipper foot, satin stitch foot, and buttonhole foot make this machine ready to tackle a wide variety of sewing projects. The seam ripper, screwdriver, and multiple bobbins are also useful additions.

Attachments:

The Sewist 709 comes with a 4-step buttonhole attachment and a convertible free arm for sewing sleeves or pant legs. The buttonhole attachment ensures consistent, professional buttonholes every time. The free arm allows easy access when sewing cylindrical pieces like sleeves, pant legs or cuffs.

Presser Feet:

This machine includes 7 different presser feet:

• Zigzag Foot
• Buttonhole Foot
• Zipper Foot
• Satin Stitch Foot
• Blind Hem Foot
• Button Sewing Foot
• Sliding Buttonhole Foot

The assortment of presser feet provides the ability to create various stitches and techniques without needing to purchase additional accessories. The zipper, buttonhole, and satin stitch feet are especially useful.

Overall, the included accessories, attachments, and variety of presser feet make the Janome Sewist 709 ready to handle most sewing projects right out of the box. The hard cover provides protection when not in use.

Warranty

The Janome Sewist 709 sewing machine comes with a 25-year limited warranty. This is an impressive warranty that shows Janome's confidence in the durability of their machines.

The 25-year limited warranty covers the sewing machine head, which includes the bed, body, and internal mechanisms like the motor, belt, pulleys, etc. It warrants that the sewing machine head will be free of defects in materials and workmanship for 25 years from the date of purchase.

The warranty does not cover failure due to improper maintenance, misuse, abuse, alteration, damage during transit, or unauthorized repair. Normal wear and tear is also not covered. The warranty only applies to machines purchased and used in the United States or Canada.

To take advantage of the warranty, you'll need to provide proof of purchase and return the machine to an authorized Janome dealer for service. Janome will provide replacement parts and labor free of charge. Shipping costs to and from the authorized dealer are the responsibility of the purchaser.

Overall, the extensive 25-year warranty provides reassuring coverage for the sewing machine head against manufacturing defects. Just be sure to maintain and use the machine properly to avoid voiding the warranty.

Pros

The Janome Sewist 709 sewing machine has several advantages that make it a great choice for beginner and intermediate sewers.

• User-friendly design. The Sewist 709 has an intuitive layout with easy-to-use controls, making it simple to select stitches and adjust settings. The LCD display screen clearly shows stitch selections.

• Reliable performance. This Janome machine sews smoothly and consistently through various fabrics without skipping stitches or tangling thread. Users mention it rarely jams or malfunctions.

• Quality construction. Made of sturdy plastic with a metal interior frame, the Sewist 709 feels solid and durable. The interior metal parts help it run steadily for many years.

• Useful features. With 23 built-in stitches, an automatic needle threader, top loading bobbin, and 4-step buttonhole, the Sewist 709 includes handy features for sewing, quilting, crafts, home decor, and garment construction.

Cons

• Limited stitch selection - The Sewist 709 only offers 15 built-in stitches, which is quite basic compared to other sewing machines in this price range that offer 50-100+ stitches. The selection includes essential stitches but lacks decorative stitches.

• No automatic buttonhole - There is no one-step buttonhole feature, so you have to manually adjust and sew each side of the buttonhole. This can be tricky for beginners.

• No stitch editing capabilities - You cannot adjust the stitch length or width on this machine. What you get is what you get.

• Small throat space - The distance from the needle to the machine arm is only 5 inches, so working with bulky projects can be difficult and maneuvering may be limited.

• No speed control - The sewing speed is not adjustable, which could make working on detailed areas challenging for beginners.

Conclusion

The Janome Sewist 709 is an excellent entry-level sewing machine that offers great value for money. It has a compact and lightweight design that makes it easy to transport and store. The machine is very user-friendly with easy threading, automatic needle threader, and large dials for straightforward stitch and speed selection.

It comes with basic but sufficient features for beginner sewers, including 7 stitches, 4-step buttonhole, and a free arm. The top-loading bobbin is jam-resistant for smooth sewing. While the sewing speed is not very fast, it can handle most lightweight fabrics well. The machine even includes a hard protective cover for added durability.

Overall, the Janome Sewist 709 is highly recommended for beginners looking for an affordable, portable, and easy-to-use sewing machine. It has just the right amount of features to help novices get started with basic sewing and small projects. More advanced sewers may want a machine with more stitch options and specialty features. But as a starter machine, the Janome 709 delivers excellent value and performance.