Janome 1017 Review

Janome 1017 has good stitch quality but some of its features are not really ideal for beginners. Another issue is its availability.

Janome 1017 Main Features

  • 10 built-in stitches
  • 650 SPM motor
  • Free arm

Janome 1017 Review

Sewing Machine Reviews Recommendation Level : LOW

Janome 1017 is an inexpensive beginners sewing machine. Not quite sure whether it is discontinued or not (it seems retired), as it is not available in major sewing machine stores across US. The machine comes with 10 built-in stitches and a 4-step buttonhole. There are 17 stitch functions in total. It features an auto declutch bobbin winder which stops winding the bobbin when it is full. It has a motor capable of delivering 650 stitches/min, which is pretty impressive.

Stitch width and length can be adjusted on Janome 1017. Maximum zigzag width is 5mm and maximum stitch length is 4mm. The reverse stitch lever is conveniently placed. The machine is free arm convertible as well. The bobbin is side loading type, which can be an inconvenience for beginners. A sewing work light is provided. The machine weighs just 11 pounds. So you can easily carry it around. A retractable carrying handle is also provided.

Usability

Janome 1017 is a compact sewing machine. It is sturdy, which you normally expect from Janome. The machine is easy to thread. This is not the most user-friendly machine, to be honest. You will read more about it in the limitations section. The foot pedal is quite responsive and the stitch quality is pretty good. The overall operation is very smooth.

Limitations

From the point of view of a beginner Janome 1017 is not an ideal machine. It lacks some of the very basic features that you expect from a modern beginners machine. It lacks features like automatic needle threader, 1-step buttonhole, drop-in bobbin, drop feed dog lever etc. These features are very important for a beginner sewer.

Pros

  • Durable
  • Portable
  • Decent stitch quality

Cons

  • No automatic needle threader
  • No 1-step buttonhole
  • No drop-in bobbin
  • No drop feed dog option

Is It Worth Buying ?

As far as beginners are concerned, Janome 1017 is not the world’s most user-friendly sewing machine. It has its drawbacks (feature wise). But that doesn’t reflect on the stitch quality that much. It will work for basic things like crafting and mending. As a beginner, you tend to overgrow this machine pretty fast.

Alternatives you can consider are Janome 2212 and Brother XL2600I. Janome 2212 is the more expensive option, but it has exceptional stitch quality. Those who bought 2212, love the machine for its quality and durability. 2212 comes with 12 built-in stitches. Feature wise 2212 is more or less similar to 1017.

Brother XL2600I comes in the same price range of Janome 1017 and is far more advanced in features. XL2600I is called the ‘King of Low Cost Sewing Machines’. It is also the best seller in under $100 category. It has 25 built-in stitches, automatic needle threader, drop-in bobbin, 1-step buttonhole etc.


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