If you are looking for a durable sewing machine made to tackle even the toughest projects, the Janome HD1000 is an excellent choice.
In this Janome HD1000 review article, we will look at some of the machine’s best features, the included accessories, the pros and cons of the model, and the most asked buyer’s questions.
Product overview: Janome HD1000
Janome is a popular sewing machine brand offering a wide range of household machines.
One of the hallmarks of Janome sewing machines is that they offer durable and powerful performance at a fraction of the cost of comparable machines.
They offer a machine for every price range, and even their lower-end machines are often strong enough to sew through heavy-duty materials like denim and leather. For instance, we included the Janome HD1000 in our roundup of the best sewing machines for heavy-duty materials.
The only downside of Janome sewing machines is that they tend to lack accessories and special features. Even their computerized models offer far fewer stitches than other brands, and you often have to buy additional accessories (like a walking foot) to unlock the full potential of your machine.
The Janome HD1000 versus the Janome HD3000
The HD1000 is the entry-level option of Janome’s heavy-duty line of sewing machines. The Janome HD3000 is a more expensive model (read our review of it here) that offers better functionality and with more accessories included.
Both machines have the same type of motor, so if you are most concerned about speed and power, the HD1000 will offer you the same results at a cheaper price. If you are looking to use your machine for a wide variety of applications, it is worth investing the extra money into the HD3000.
Key features & benefits
Let’s take a look at some of the main features of the Janome HD1000.
Powerful motor
The Janome HD1000’s 1.0 amp motor is a workhorse. A strong and fast motor is an essential feature for intermediate to advanced users, since it allows them to work more efficiently and to use a wide range of heavy materials.
For comparison’s sake, a standard sewing machine usually has a 0.5 amp motor. So the Janome HD1000 will be roughly twice as strong as other, lower-end sewing machines.
The Janome HD1000 has a standard stitch speed, but it is still fast enough that you will never have to worry about it falling too far behind unless you are an advanced user who is used to industrial machines.
It isn’t the fastest motor out there, but it is certainly worth noting for a model in its price range.
All-metal chassis
The Janome HD1000 boasts an aluminum frame for added durability and longevity. An all-metal chassis is essential for a sewing machine with as much power as the HD1000, and it means your machine will likely last a lifetime.
An all-metal body also means that the Janome HD1000 will require less overall maintenance than its plastic counterparts, since parts are less likely to break and need replacing.
Stitches
The Janome HD1000 comes with a modest 14 built-in stitches. Since it is a manual (read: not computerized) machine, you aren’t able to add more stitches later.
While you don’t have much variety or decorative stitches to work with (especially compared to other machines in its price-range), the HD1000’s stitch quality is excellent.
It is meant to do a few things very well, and it succeeds.
Drop feeds
The HD1000 allows you to raise and lower the feed dogs. This feature, along with its powerful motor, means that users can free motion quilt on the machine.
Four-step buttonhole
The Janome HD1000 offers an assisted four-step buttonhole function that is perfect for anyone looking to make their own clothes.
Since it only has one assisted buttonhole option, you are unfortunately limited in the types of buttonholes you can make.
However, if you keep the limitations in mind while planning your piece (or sew them manually), you should still be able to use it in garment making.
Included accessories
The HD1000 comes with a few exciting accessories included in the box to get you started.
Presser feet
The HD1000 includes four presser feet:
- General purpose foot
- Zipper foot
- Blind hem foot
- Buttonhole foot
Unfortunately, it does not come with a walking foot attachment. With the machine’s ability to sew through heavy material and multiple layers, a walking foot is an invaluable tool, so it is worth purchasing one separately.
Tools and supplies
The HD1000 comes with all the required parts to get you started, along with the tools needed to keep your machine in great working order:
- Extra needles and bobbins
- Seam ripper
- Buttonhole ripper
- Screwdrivers for servicing the machine
These accessories will be enough to get you started quickly. However, you will also need sewing machine oil to fully maintain your machine.
Check out our step-by-step guide on how to clean and oil a sewing machine if you have never done it before.
Hard cover
The HD1000 comes with a plastic hard cover for storage. It’s a great tool for keeping out dust and debris when your machine is not in use, which means less cleaning and oiling needed over the life of your machine.
Frequently asked questions
Let’s take a look at some of the most asked questions about the HD1000 from prospective buyers.
Are there any fabrics it can’t handle?
There are a few, yes, but not many. Thick materials like denim, vinyl, etc. can all be sewed on the HD1000, and thin materials like silk and chiffon sew beautifully.
You can sew thin layers of leather together if you equip your machine with a diamond-tipped leather needle. Since this is not an industrial-grade sewing machine, you will most likely struggle with thicker leather pieces.
Does it need much maintenance and servicing?
All sewing machines require regular maintenance and at least yearly servicing by a dealer or sewing shop in order to stay in good working order. The HD1000 is no different.
You will need to clean it regularly since thread, lint, and dust like to accumulate in the bobbin case. This can and will jam up your machine if it is not addressed.
Janome also recommends oiling the wick (the spot under the bobbin case) regularly. The gears and inside mechanisms of the machine also need to be oiled with less frequency, but Janome advises against doing that yourself.
How big is the throat?
The throat (the space between the needle arm and body of the machine) is approximately 6.5” wide. This is a pretty tight squeeze for most quilting applications, but smaller projects like baby blankets and bags could still fit.
Is this machine good for beginners?
It is more suited to intermediate and advanced users, but Janome machines tend to have very simple and basic controls that are acceptable for a beginner.
If you have never used a Janome machine, be sure to read the manual before you start using it. Even if you are a seasoned sewer.
Janome still uses functions similar to the older styles of sewing machines from the ‘70s, and it can be confusing to users who are used to more modern machines.
Janome HD1000: Pros and cons
Now that we’ve looked at all the features, accessories, and functions of the Janome HD1000, let’s consider its pros and cons.
Pros
- Strong motor
- Sturdy, all-metal chassis
- Able to sew through thick materials
- Able to free motion quilt
- Moderately fast sewing speeds
- Meant to last for many years
- More affordable than many other “heavy duty” options on the market
- Backed by a 25 year warranty
Cons
- Very limited variety of stitch options for the price
- Not as many accessories, functions, or stitch options as the Janome HD3000
- Uses dated functions (like threading the needle from left to right) that confuse users
- For warranty purposes, maintenance like gear oiling must be done through a certified Janome dealer, which can be hard to find in rural areas
Wrapping it up
That was everything you need to know about the Janome HD1000 sewing machine.
Be sure to check out any products we linked to in the article, and if you still have questions, let us know in the comment section below!
