If you don’t love fancy stitches, then you would definitely love Janome Jem Gold Plus. The 4-step buttonhole is still a bummer though.
Janome Jem Gold Plus Features
- 9 built-in stitches
- Light serging system
- Automatic needle threader
Janome Jem Gold Plus Review
Sewing Machine Reviews Recommendation Level : HIGH
Janome Jem Gold Plus is a portable, beginners sewing machine. It also has a light serging system on-board. Yes, it is a portable sewing machine, but don’t have a false impression that it is inexpensive. This is not a $100 sewing machine at all, probably because of the light serging system (LSS) on-board. LSS is not something that you normally find on all sewing machines. LSS basically gives you the professional finish that you normally won’t get on home sewing machines. The built-in side cutter lets you trim, sew and finish seams in a single step. The trimming mechanism provides extra stability.
Jem Gold Plus (also known as Janome Jem Gold 661) comes with 9 built-in stitches and a 4-step buttonhole. The machine has an automatic needle threader to save eye strain. A manual thread cutter is provided for convenient thread cutting in one motion. Top drop-in bobbin with clear cover lets you monitor the thread supply. The reverse stitch lever is conveniently placed. There is an extra-high presser foot lifter to provide extra clearance while working with bulky fabrics. Stitch selection is done with a dial. The maximum stitch width is 5mm and length is 4mm.
You can drop the feed dogs for free-motion quilting. You can do free arm sewing as well. A folding carry handle is provided for moving it around. The machine weighs around 11 pounds, so you won’t have much difficulty in taking it to sewing classes.
Usability
Jem Gold Plus will suit those who don’t want a lot of features and are satisfied with whatever little the machine can offer. The stitch quality of this machine is absolutely high class. It doesn’t have a lot of stitch options but it does an awesome job with whatever it has. The machine operates quietly and smoothly. The serging system is really worth the price and gives a professional finish, very much like what you get on professional sergers. The quality is impressive and it cuts right through heavy-duty fabrics without any difficulty.
This machine has enough power to sew multiple layers of denim. Switching between serging and sewing function is as easy as pushing a button. Janome has done a very good job in making this machine easy to use, especially when you consider the fact that majority of its users will be beginner sewers. The machine is very well built and is durable. Being lightweight, you won’t have any trouble in carrying it to sewing classes.
Limitations
The main limitation of this machine is that it doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles. It just has 9 built-in stitches, Janome could have included at least 20 for the price. Also the 4-step buttonhole is old fashioned. They could have come up with a user-friendly 1-step buttonhole instead.
The foot pedal is very sensitive, so you must start slow to get the hang of it.
Pros
- High quality stitches
- Serger function
- Lightweight
- Smooth operation
- Easy to use for beginners
Cons
- Not a lot of stitch options
- 4-step buttonhole
- Slightly expensive beginners machine
Is It Worth Buying ?
Even though Janome Jem Gold Plus doesn’t have a lot of features, it is a dependable machine. The simplicity and reliability of this machine is something that really impressed me (the price, not so much). Even though the price is slightly on the higher side (for a beginners machine), it will be worth as you are getting sewing and serging functions all rolled into one. Highly recommended, if you don’t want a lot of fancy stitches.