Janome HD1000 Black Edition Review In Detail

We all know the reputation of  white Janome HD1000. It still is one of the most wanted heavy duty sewing machines in the entry level category. What made the white model popular was its ability to put in long hours of sewing with consistent stitch quality across a variety of fabrics. It was a favorite for mechanical sewing machine lovers. Now, Janome has rolled out the black edition of HD1000.

The black edition is a pleaser for your eyes. It is one of the most beautiful sewing machines I have reviewed in a while. We are so much used to white sewing machines nowadays and the black shiny finish definitely catches your eye. Now let us have a detailed review.

The first question will be, what has changed compared to the white model? The answer is nothing except the color. It comes with 14 built-in stitches including a 4-step buttonhole. There is a built-in automatic needle threader for easy threading. Free arm is there for sewing cuffs and sleeves. Drop feed lets you do free-motion works. Stitch selection is done by turning the dial. The maximum stitch width and length are 5mm and 4mm respectively.

The bobbin is front loading type. I would have loved to have a top drop-in bobbin. The inconvenience with front loading bobbin is that you need to remove the accessory storage compartment to change the bobbin. You can't monitor the bobbin thread as well. However, it is not something that you can't live without. You will get used to it.

Extra high presser foot lifter is provided for sewing bulky fabrics. Feed system is 3-piece type. Thread tension is manual. HD1000 Black Edition comes with a hard cover (the white model came with a soft cover only). The machine weighs 16.8 lbs which is slightly on the heavier side. This is very much expected from a heavy duty sewing machine that comes with heavy duty aluminum outer body. The available work space is W 6.4" x H 4.7".

Ease of Use

HD1000 is a very simple machine. There aren't a lot of buttons to confuse you. The machine is very easy to thread. One area where we can always trust Janome is in the build quality. Janome HD1000 Black Edition is no exception. The stitch quality is consistent. The machine can easily go through multiple layers of thick fabrics like denim. The operation is quite smooth. It is a workhorse.

Drawbacks

From the beginners point of view, HD1000 misses out on some key features like top drop-in bobbin and 1-step buttonhole. If you believe that you absolutely want top drop-in bobbin and 1-step buttonhole, then you have HD3000 as an option.

Pros

•    Stitch quality
•    Sturdy workhorse
•    Durable

Cons

•    No 1-step buttonhole
•    No top drop-in bobbin

Review Verdict

Feature wise, Janome HD1000 Black Edition has nothing extra compared to the white model. However you will get a hard cover and bonus accessories. The bonus accessories include Ultra Glide Foot, Leather needle set, Even Feed Foot, Anna Mara Horner's Lemon Drop Dress & Tunic along with the Art Student Tote Sewing Pattern and Anna Maria Horner sticker decals.