Which is best? Will it sew thick fabric?

Review by Sassy P

I have just spent the last few days getting to know my new machine...wow! It is everything I never knew I needed in a machine and more. It is fast, smooth and very easy to use. The fact I don't have to struggle to get the correct tension anymore is brilliant. The digital side of it is very easy to use and navigate and it even tells you which foot you should be using for which stitch! It comes with so many accessories but realistically at the price so it should. I do think this machine will be very useful for my small business and help with efficiency and speeding up the process as I won't have to be dealing with trouble shooting as much as I did with its predecessor. Great purchase.

Review by Polly L

I am very impressed with this sewing machine; it is definitely lightweight which is a must or me. I set it up, the instructions were really good; filled the bobbin threaded the machine, used a piece of material to try out the sewing and stitches. Absolutely great - I was so impressed - machine was inexpensive. Highly recommend.

Review by Meena L

Bought this product few month ago and it was what I needed had few issues with it call the customer service and the response was nice. Will totally recommend this.

Review by Rachel S

I am so glad I decided on this machine. So easy to use. Love the diagrams to remind you how the thread and wind the bobbins without have to drag the manual out every time. I have only just started to sew and want something to grow with. I can recommend this machine. Love how quiet the machine is. Lots of stitch options too. Speedy delivery and email updates. Thank you.

Review by Gill H

The machine is so smooth and easy to use. I am absolutely delighted with it. I've just finished making 4 cushion covers and it is a pleasure to use. The attachments are mostly metal rather than plastic and thus robust. Functions available are perfect for my use. My order was delivered within a couple days of ordering which is great as often there is a long lead in for the Highlands and a surcharge but that was not applied by Sewing Machine Sales. Ordering and receipt was very efficient. Thanks guys!

Review by Angela S

An excellent machine - I had previously done a lot of research and bought one for one daughter and this one was for the other daughter who has moved away and would like her own. Excellent service too. Thank you.

Review by Morag G

I love it!!! A change of circumstance meant I hadn’t done any sewing for ages. The machine arrived super fast but it took me a while to even unpack it but since I did I haven’t stopped !!! I previously used a Brother SuperAce which was very old and had a few niggly issues which I just dealt with …… but wow it’s great when everything works. Needle threader and thread cutter (both of which had gone on my old machine) are life changing!! Very happy so far!

Review by Vicki N

Absolutely obsessed with this machine ! It’s super easy to work out easy to switch from embroidery to normal sewing only thing I would have absolutely loved is a bigger hoop I did buy the additional one which slightly bigger just a 5x7 would be perfect to make those slightly bigger projects but other than that it’s great and super fast delivery.

Review by Diane Y

I am pleased with sewing machine .Amazed at how easy it is to set up , within a hour of receiving it ( which actually came the next day , not expected until the Monday) I was busy sewing . Excellent transaction , so easy to do the order. This machine does as it says .Sews excellent , easy to adjust any stitches , length , width etc. I has a butterick , which is not functional as only sews in reverse !! Still trying to sort this out. This machine is a must , a excellent machine for beginners also .So easy to thread up , wind bobbins . Can't praise it enough !!

Review by Jackie J

After sewing on my old electronic machine (a different but also good quality brand) for 30 years, I decided to try a computerised one. I am really impressed with how quiet it is. It has many of the same features as my old one, needle threader, up/ down needle position, variable speed button, drop feed, etc. which I couldn't do without. The 3 one step buttonhole varieties are a big improvement (old one had one 4-step.) The large attachable table is also a plus, although the Janome does not come with as many presser feet. Thankfully the presser feet from my old machine fit the 230dc which is great. Still getting used to the drop-in bobbin case, though. To adjust the bobbin tension, you have to unscrew the entire top plate to take out the bobbin case, which is a pain. Also, no small screwdriver included for this, only the flat one. I have had to adjust this a few times because the bobbin tension was way too tight, even when adjusting the needle tension right up to 9, sewing with normal thread on cotton fabric! I seem to have it about right now but it still goes out occasionally and hence the whole procedure... The old front loading one seemed so much more practical and you could change the bobbin without removing your fabric. However, I have had practically no jams with my new Janome and the stitches are lovely and even. The stitch width and length has more variation, too. My old one is very heavy and built like a tank whereas the 230DC is quite lightweight, despite also having a metal body, which makes it so much easier to move around, another big positive for the Janome. I was surprised that for its light weight, it can still tackle thick layers of heavy fabric, which great. Although another slight downside is that the top speed is quite slow, which is not so good when sewing long stretches of fabric, e.g. curtains. Overall, I'm happy with it, this machine will be so much better for dressmaking and more delicate crafting, but I will keep my old one too, for more heavy duty or larger projects that need faster stitching or different types of thread where the bobbin tension needs adjusting.