Juki HZL-29Z doesn’t quite tick all the check boxes for me. There are areas where Juki could have done a better job. Moreover, the pricing is not justifiable.
Juki HZL-29Z Main Features
- 22 built-in stitches
- 4-step buttonhole
- Automatic needle threader
- Drop-in bobbin
- 7-point feed system
Juki HZL-29Z Review
Sewing Machine Reviews Recommendation Level : LOW
HZL-29Z is a beginners sewing machine. It is not a popular machine in US, mainly because of its huge price tag. It is a mechanical sewing machine. The machine has 22 built-in stitches and a 4-step buttonhole. The top drop-in bobbin is a beginner friendly feature. The clear cover on it enables you to keep an eye on the bobbin thread supply. Stitch selection is done by turning the dial. The stitch length and width can also be adjusted on the same dial. The maximum stitch width is 6.5mm and stitch length is 4mm.
The automatic needle threader on Juki HZL-29Z saves eye strain. 7-point feed dog ensures consistent fabric feeding (which is an advantage as most of its competitors comes with 5 or 6 point feed dogs). The 7-point feed dog does give an edge while sewing. An accessory storage compartment is built-in, which can be removed for free arm sewing. The reverse stitch lever is oversized which makes it easy to engage, especially for elder people. A manual thread cutter is also provided.Juki HZL-29Z is pretty lightweight, so you can easily carry it around. The machine weighs just 13 pounds. A built-in work light LED is also provided.
Usability
You can’t really say that Juki HZL-29Z is an easy to use machine. There are some ergonomic flaws, such as the stitch width adjustment which is featured on the stitch selector dial. Normally, there will be a separate dial for stitch length and width adjustments and for stitch selection. In this case, it is on a single dial which makes it very difficult for beginners to find the right controls. It is overcomplicated for me. Being a lightweight sewing machine, Juki HZL-29Z does vibrate quite a bit at higher speeds. The instability of this machine is something that worries me. Those issues apart, the stitch quality is pretty decent. However it is not that great with multiple layers of denim.
Limitations
Another limitation is the lack of 1-step buttonhole. I mean, for the price Juki could have easily included a 1-step buttonhole instead of an outdated 4-step one.
Pros
- Good feed system
- Decent quality stitches
Cons
- Difficult to adjust stitch length and width
- Vibration at high speeds
Is It Worth Buying?
There are many things that can work against Juki HZL-29Z. First of all, the price is not justifiable (You can even get far superior Brother XR9500PRW for lesser price). Then there are issues like vibration and also the ease of use is not that great. Overall, I am not quite impressed with this machine.