Janome Skyline S5: Sewing Machine: Full Review

Janome is a leading manufacturer of sewing machines that has been around for decades. Founded in Japan in 1921, Janome is now a global brand that sells its sewing machines worldwide. The company is known for making high-quality, user-friendly sewing machines for home and industrial use.

Janome's line of sewing machines includes computerized, mechanical, and serger models. The company has a reputation for innovation, having developed one of the first home-use computerized sewing machines in 1979. Today, Janome offers sewing machines with advanced features for sewists of all skill levels.

The Janome Skyline S5 is one of Janome's computerized sewing machines aimed at the home sewing enthusiast. As we'll see in this review, it comes with helpful features while still being easy enough for beginners to use.

Overview of the Janome Skyline S5

The Janome Skyline S5 is a computerized sewing machine designed for beginners and intermediate sewers looking for an affordable and user-friendly option. It's packed with features typically found on more expensive models.

This is a computerized sewing machine, meaning it has an LCD screen and built-in stitches and functions that are selected via buttons. The Skyline S5 has 50 built-in stitches including utility stitches, decorative stitches, and 7 buttonholes. It has a top loading bobbin system, making it easy to insert and remove bobbins.

Some key features that make this model stand out in its price range are the memorized needle up/down position, speed control slider, reverse stitch lever, and start/stop button. Having an automatic needle threader is also a big plus for convenience.

The Janome Skyline S5 works great for simple garment construction, hemming, crafts, quilting, and everyday mending and alterations. It's well-suited for beginners due to the easy stitch selection and operation. More advanced sewers will also appreciate the useful features packed into this affordable computerized machine.

Additionally, the Janome Sewist 709 is another excellent choice for sewers seeking versatility. It offers 30 built-in stitches and features like a one-step buttonhole, making it easy to create custom projects. The Sewist 709 also highlights a user-friendly interface and durable construction, suitable for both beginners and experienced crafters. For more information, visit Janome Sewist 709: Sewing Machine.

Appearance and Build Quality

The Janome Skyline S5 has a sleek, modern appearance with a white finish and blue accents. It has an all-metal internal frame which makes it feel very sturdy and stable. The outer body is made of thick durable plastic that seems like it could withstand the normal wear and tear of regular sewing.

The machine appears well-constructed overall. All the parts fit together snugly with no gaps or rough edges. The foot pedal and power cord have nice strain relief so they shouldn't pull loose over time. The hand wheel and all knobs turn smoothly.

When running, the S5 sits solidly on the table without any shaking or rattling noises. The internal metal frame prevents any flexing. It seems built to handle high speed sewing without any issues.

Overall, the Janome Skyline S5 has excellent build quality with metal interior components and durable plastic housing. The construction feels very solid and designed for longevity. It has an attractive modern aesthetic that would look nice in any sewing room.

Additionally, the Janome DC1050: Computerized Sewing Machine is a feature-rich option for sewists of all levels. It boasts a variety of stitch options, including decorative and utility stitches, and offers a user-friendly interface, making it easy to navigate through settings. Its compact design and lightweight build allow for easy transport, while still providing solid performance. The DC1050 is perfect for those looking for versatility in their sewing projects.

Ease of Use

The Janome Skyline S5 is designed with simplicity and ease of use in mind for both beginner and experienced sewers. The machine has a simple layout with all controls and settings clearly marked and intuitive to use.

Threading the machine is straightforward with easy to follow guides printed right on the machine. There is a numbered threading guide to ensure proper threading order. The automatic needle threader is also a huge help to easily pull the thread through the needle eye. Winding bobbins is simple with the quick set bobbin winder that disengages automatically when full.

The top drop-in bobbin is easy to insert and remove. The bobbin cover has a clear window so you can monitor your bobbin thread supply. All adjustment controls are conveniently located on the front of the machine, including stitch length and width dials. There is also a speed control slider to adjust sewing speed. An automatic reverse button makes reinforcing stitches easy.

Overall, the Janome Skyline S5 is designed for maximum ease of use even for sewing beginners. The well-labeled controls, intuitive layout, easy threading and bobbin features make this a user-friendly sewing machine.

Sewing Performance

The Janome Skyline S5 performs excellently for both basic and more advanced sewing projects. Users report the machine sews smoothly through multiple layers of fabric without slowing down or losing power.

The S5 comes with a powerful motor that delivers up to 1000 stitches per minute, making it suitable for sewing quilts and home decor projects efficiently. It maintains consistent stitch quality even at high speeds on fabrics like denim, canvas, and multiple layers of quilt batting.

The machine produces neat, even stitches on all types of fabrics from lightweight chiffons to heavier home decorator fabrics. The stitches have balanced tension with no puckering on the surface. The feed dogs provide good grip and control when sewing slippery or stretchy fabrics.

Overall, the sewing performance of the Janome Skyline S5 makes it a versatile machine able to handle a wide variety of sewing projects with ease. Its power and consistent stitch quality allow sewers to work efficiently on quilting, garment construction, crafts, and more.

Included Accessories

The Janome Skyline S5 comes with a good selection of accessories to get you started sewing right out of the box. It includes 7 different presser feet for various techniques like zipper insertion, buttonholes, zigzag stitching and more.

Some of the key accessories include:

• 7 Snap-on presser feet: Blind hem, zipper, buttonhole, zig zag, button fitting, overcasting, and satin stitch feet
• Hard-shell carrying case to protect the machine when transporting
• Pack of 5 bobbins
• Needle set
• Small and large spool holders
• Lint brush
• Screwdriver
• Extra spool pin
• Seam ripper
• Instruction manual

Having multiple presser feet included is a major plus with this model. The hard-shell case is also a nice addition not always found at this price point. The variety of accessories provided with the Janome Skyline S5 make it easy to start sewing and experimenting with different techniques right away.

Noise Level

The Janome Skyline S5 operates at a reasonable noise level, making it suitable for home and apartment use. The machine produces a low hum during regular sewing, which is comparable to other entry-level sewing machines. At high speeds, there is some additional mechanical noise, but it is not excessive or irritating.

Overall, the noise output is quiet enough for conversation or listening to music while sewing. You can use the Skyline S5 without worrying about disturbing others in your household. This makes the machine a good option if you share space or have noise restrictions where you live.

The low noise production is aided by the machine's sturdy build and smooth operation. There is minimal vibration, even at high speeds, thanks to the precise construction. This prevents the sewing head from shaking and rattling during use.

In summary, the Janome Skyline S5 generates minimal noise when sewing. The volume is unlikely to be disruptive in home settings, allowing you to sew comfortably without disturbing your surroundings.

Warranty

The Janome Skyline S5 comes with a 25-year limited warranty. This is an exceptionally long warranty for a sewing machine in this price range.

The 25-year warranty covers the casting, bed, arm, and electronic components against defects in materials or workmanship. Labor is also included for the first year after date of purchase. Normal wear, damage from improper use or maintenance, and consumable parts like light bulbs are not covered.

Overall, the extensive 25-year warranty provides great peace of mind and really underscores the durability and reliability that Janome is known for. Knowing your investment is protected for that long is a major plus when considering the Skyline S5.

Pros

• User-friendly and easy to operate. The Janome Skyline S5 has an intuitive layout with clearly marked dials and buttons. Even beginners find it simple to get started sewing.

• Reliable stitch quality on various fabrics. It can handle lightweight and heavy-duty materials well, producing neat and consistent stitching. The top-loading bobbin also makes for smooth sewing.

• Good selection of built-in stitches. With 18 built-in stitches, you get options for basic sewing as well as decorative stitches for embellishing projects.

• Sturdy construction. The metal interior frame and overall solid build give the impression that this machine is built to last.

• Swift sewing speed. At 800 stitches per minute, it sews faster than many comparably priced models. The speed control slider allows adjusting the pace.

Cons

The Janome Skyline S5 has a few drawbacks to consider:

• Limited stitch selection - With only 15 built-in stitches, the S5 offers far fewer options compared to many other sewing machines in this price range. The lack of decorative stitches may be disappointing for some users.

• No automatic thread cutter - There is no auto thread cutter, so you have to cut the threads manually after finishing seams. This can be inconvenient and time consuming.

• Small throat space - The 5" throat space may feel cramped for sewing larger projects like quilts. Larger machines offer more arm space for managing bulky fabric.

• LED light only - The single LED sewing light can feel dim for some users. An incandescent bulb usually provides brighter illumination of the sewing area.

• No extension table - There is no extension table included, so your sewing area is limited to the machine's built-in flat bed. An extension table provides extra support for large projects.