Janome DC4030 Review

Janome DC4030 is a flawless, beginners sewing machine. Some might consider it as expensive though. It is a workhorse for sure.

Janome DC4030 Main Features

  • 30 built-in stitches
  • Superior Feed Sysetm (SFS)
  • Automatic needle threader
  • Programmable needle up/down
  • Stitch elongation

Janome DC4030 Review

Sewing Machine Reviews Recommendation Level : HIGH

DC4030 is computerized sewing machine. On paper Janome DC4030 has all the features needed by an advanced sewer, except for the number of built-in stitches. There are 30 built-in stitches and 6 one-step buttonholes. You can start/stop sewing with just the push of a button. Sewing can be done without the foot pedal, thanks to the speed control slider. Sewing speed can be controlled by moving the slider to fast or slow mode. Best results are observed when sewn at medium speeds.

Janome DC4030 has a nice LCD screen. It is not a touch screen and it is not as advanced as what you see on high end machines. It just does basic things like displaying the stitch width, stitch length etc. Direct stitch selection buttons are provided. It is a no nonsense kind of a machine. Everything is straight forward and easy to understand. There is actually one feature that makes DC4030 unique from other Janome machines in the category. It is the stitch elongation button. Now, if you have used an advanced Singer sewing machine, you must have come across this feature. But it is not a common feature on Janome machines. Basically what this does is that, it elongates some select stitches without losing out on stitch density.

Janome DC4030 features an automatic needle threader, which saves a lot of eye strain. Programmable needle up/down, a feature absolutely essential while pivoting and quilting is also provided. Separate buttons are provided for locking stitch and reverse. One nice thing I noticed about this machine is that, whenever you press any button it lights up in orange or green color. This may not sound much, but it is always nice to know what all buttons are engaged while sewing. Attention to small details like these is what makes it a beginner friendly machine.

DC4030 comes with a drop-in bobbin, which is really nice as you know how much thread is left in the bobbin (thanks to the clear cover on it). If you want to sew cuffs or sleeves, you can remove the built-in storage compartment and convert it into free arm. The storage compartment has enough space to store all your accessories. A bright light illuminates the sewing space. Janome’s SFS feeding system ensures consistent stitch quality on this machine. If you want to do free motion sewing, you have an option to drop feed dogs. There is an extra high presser foot lifter for extra clearance. This comes handy while sewing multiple layers of fabric. The presser foot pressure can be manually adjusted.

Another important point to note is that there are two DC4030 models available. One is the original DC4030 and the other is the DC4030P. Both machines are the same, the difference is that DC4030P comes in pink color. Janome donates a certain amount of money to charity, for every DC4030P sold.

Usability

Janome DC4030P has a pink accent to it, which makes it different from other plain white machines (but seriously, does it really matter ? Not really, it is the performance that matters). To be honest, this machine has more features than any other Janome machine in the price category. The machine comes with a well written user manual, so you won’t have any difficulty in understanding its features. DC4030 is a solid machine. In fact it is a good machine to sew denim, as it handles multiple layers without any difficulty at all. One thing I really liked about this machine is its ability to handle fabrics of varying thickness, SFS really does its job. The stitch quality is of the highest grade.

Janome DC4030 is less plastic for sure. It is not entirely heavy duty, but Janome has used metal wherever possible. This makes it more durable than its competitors. The machine weighs 18 pounds. It operates quietly as well. Even though there are only 30 stitches, it still offers quite a lot in variety. It is a great machine for beginners, as little effort is needed to set it up. Threading is very easy as well.

Limitations

If you want to use the start/stop button, you need to unplug the foot pedal, otherwise it won’t work.

Pros

  • Variety of features
  • Consistent stitch quality
  • User-friendly
  • Less plastic

Cons

  • Slightly expensive

Is It Worth Buying ?

Overall, I am very much impressed with the quality and performance of Janome DC4030. You can call it a frustration free sewing machine for sure. It has nice features as well. Some might consider it as expensive, but I feel it is really worth the money. There are only a handful of machines that I recommend to my family or friends. I think now I can add Janome DC4030 to that list.


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