Janome Sewist 780DC: Computerized Sewing Machine: Full Review

The Janome Sewist 780DC is a computerized sewing machine aimed at beginner and intermediate home sewers looking for an easy-to-use machine with plenty of built-in stitches and features. Janome is a leading manufacturer of sewing machines and the Sewist 780DC is one of their newest models in the lower price range.

This sewing machine includes 50 built-in stitches, an automatic needle threader, easy stitch selection, and 7-piece feed dog. It has a backlit LCD screen display, start/stop button, speed control slider, and reverse stitch button conveniently located on the machine. The Sewist 780DC comes with a hard cover to protect the machine when not in use.

Overall, the Janome Sewist 780DC offers good value with its computerized functionality, built-in stitches, and ease of use. Its lightweight design makes it portable to take to sewing classes or move around your sewing room. This review will provide an in-depth look at the features, performance, and pros and cons of the Janome Sewist 780DC.

Features

The Janome Sewist 780DC is packed with features, making it a versatile and capable sewing machine. It offers the following:

• Computerized/Digital Features: This machine has a backlit LCD screen and easy-to-navigate digital controls that allow you to select your desired stitch and adjust settings like stitch length and width. It comes pre-programmed with 70 built-in stitches including utility, decorative, heirloom and quilting stitches.

• Stitch Selection: The 780DC has 70 built-in stitches to choose from, giving you a wide variety of options for sewing projects. It has all the basic utility stitches as well as decorative stitches like scallops, vines, hearts and more. There are also 7 buttonhole styles to select from.

• Buttonholes: This machine can create 7 different one-step buttonhole styles - square, rounded, keyhole, stretch, heirloom, bound, and knit. The buttonhole foot provides consistent results every time.

• Presser Feet Included: The 780DC comes with 7 snap-on presser feet including a buttonhole foot, zipper foot, blind hem foot, zig zag foot, button sewing foot, overcasting foot and monogramming foot. This allows you to tackle a variety of techniques and projects without having to purchase additional presser feet.

If you're looking for an easy-to-use sewing machine, check out the Janome Arctic Crystal with an interior metal frame. This model is designed for beginners and advanced users alike, offering user-friendly features and robust construction. With a sleek design and reliable performance, it’s a great addition to any sewing room. Janome Arctic Crystal: Easy-to-Use Sewing Machine with Interior Metal Frame.

Ease of Use

The Janome Sewist 780DC is designed to be very intuitive and easy to use, making sewing accessible even for beginners. It has a large backlit LCD screen that clearly displays your selected stitch, stitch width/length, tension setting, and more.

Navigating through the stitches and settings is simple with the push-button stitch selection and direct stitch width/length adjustment keys. There are also dedicated buttons for key functions like start/stop, reverse, and needle up/down. The LCD screen makes it easy to see your selected settings at a glance.

Stitch selection is streamlined, with the ability to select any of the 22 built-in stitches with just the push of a button. The stitch width and length can be adjusted directly and precisely using the dedicated knobs for each. With the intuitive controls and display, even novice sewers will find this machine very straightforward to use right out of the box.

Overall, the well-designed interface with dedicated controls, push-button stitch selection, and detailed LCD screen come together to make the Janome Sewist 780DC a very user-friendly sewing machine. The ease of use makes sewing more enjoyable and accessible for sewers of all experience levels.

For a more advanced sewing machine, consider the Janome Memory Craft Horizon 8200QCP Special Edition: With Exclusive Bundle. This model offers extra features such as an extended workspace, advanced needle threader, and a dual feed system. It also includes an exclusive bundle with additional accessories, enhancing both creativity and efficiency in your sewing projects.

Build Quality

The Janome Sewist 780DC has an exceptionally sturdy build that lives up to Janome's reputation for quality and durability. Both the exterior body and interior components are made of strong, rigid plastic that doesn't feel flimsy or cheap.

The metal inner frame provides a solid foundation that keeps the machine stable and vibration-free even at high sewing speeds. All of the stitch selection and settings dials are also metal, adding to the overall robustness.

The machine appears very well put together with no loose parts or inferior materials. Customers report the 780DC holding up extremely well over many years of regular use without any issues.

Overall, the construction is rock-solid and made to last. The quality of materials used is evident, making this a sewing machine built to provide a lifetime of consistent performance.

Sewing Performance

The Janome Sewist 780DC performs beautifully when sewing. It has a maximum sewing speed of 1000 stitches per minute, allowing you to sew faster on straight stitches and evenly paced decorative stitches. The machine handles a variety of fabrics and thicknesses with ease. I sewed through multiple layers of denim and thicker cotton fabrics without any issues or skipped stitches. The stitch quality is excellent, with even stitch length and tension on all included stitch patterns. Both straight and zigzag stitches come out looking crisp and professional. The machine sews smoothly over seams and thicker areas of fabric thanks to the extra high presser foot lift. Overall, the sewing performance of the Janome Sewist 780DC is fast, versatile, and produces high-quality stitches on all types of fabrics.

Noise Level

The Janome Sewist 780DC is a relatively quiet machine while in operation. The motor emits a low humming sound that is not too distracting. There is some noise from the internal components and moving parts, but it is muffled and muted.

At high sewing speeds, there is more noise but it remains at reasonable levels - you can hold a conversation over the sound of the machine sewing. It does not get excessively loud or high-pitched at any point. This makes the 780DC a good option if you want to sew without disturbing others.

The machine runs smoothly without excessive vibration, so there is no added noise from shaking parts. Overall, the noise output is acceptable for a home sewing machine in this class. It will not be completely silent, but should not be disruptive to use even in close quarters.

Accessories

The Janome Sewist 780DC comes with a good variety of accessories included in the box. It provides 11 different presser feet for techniques like zipper insertion, buttonholes, blind hemming and more. The machine comes with 4 bobbins, a seam ripper, needle set, screwdriver, spool caps, spool holder, lint brush and an instructional DVD.

The hard plastic case is a nice addition, providing protection and easy storage and transport of the machine. The case has a convenient handle on top and a compartment inside the lid to store all the accessories. This helps keep everything together in one place.

Overall, Janome includes a sufficient amount of handy accessories to get you started sewing right out of the box. The hard case adds value for storage and portability.

Warranty

The Janome Sewist 780DC comes with a 25 year limited warranty. This is an excellent warranty that covers the sewing machine head, electrical components, and electronic components for the full 25 years against defects in materials or workmanship.

The warranty is limited in that it only covers the original owner and doesn't transfer to subsequent owners. It also doesn't cover normal wear and tear, improper maintenance or storage, or damage from improper use. The warranty also requires you to bring or ship the machine to an authorized Janome dealer for service.

Overall, the 25 year warranty provides great peace of mind and shows Janome stands behind the quality and reliability of the Sewist 780DC. Just be sure to follow the maintenance schedule and operating instructions to avoid voiding the warranty coverage. Most users don't have any issues during the warranty period, but it's nice to have that long-term backing just in case.

Price

The Janome Sewist 780DC retails for around $500, which puts it in the upper middle price range for a computerized sewing machine. This machine delivers excellent value for the price point. While not the most affordable model, it includes features and capabilities typically found in more expensive machines.

The combination of computerization, ease of use, and performance make the Janome Sewist 780DC a worthwhile investment for sewers looking to upgrade from a basic entry-level machine. It has the convenience features of machines costing $800-1000+, at a more reasonable price point.

For sewists seeking more advanced features like embroidery, this machine may seem limited. However, for fashion sewing, quilting, and crafts, the Janome 780DC offers tremendous bang for your buck. It has just about everything a passionate home sewer needs for under $600.

Overall, the Janome Sewist 780DC provides professional-quality sewing and user-friendly operation at an accessible price point. While not cheap, it delivers lasting value that justifies the investment for intermediate to advanced sewists. For most, it hits the sweet spot between affordability and high-end features.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Comes with many built-in stitches including decorative stitches
• Large sewing space allows for sewing larger projects
• Automatic needle threader saves time and frustration
• Has an automatic thread cutter for quick trimming
• LCD screen makes it easy to select stitches and settings
• Good for beginners but also has features advanced sewers will appreciate

Cons:

• May be too basic for very advanced/professional sewers
• Doesn't have a hard carrying case, just a soft cover
• LCD screen isn't backlit or in color
• Maximum sewing speed of 800 spm, which is decent but not incredibly fast
• Presser foot pressure isn't adjustable