I rarely watch a video from beginning to end but this one was so helpful and informative that I stayed. I looked at an S7 today in a store and wanted to make sure it was going to be worth the money. I am sold! Thank you for taking the time to give an honest review.
YOU described EVERYTHING so Well…WOW…I LOVE the fact that You have had the MACHINE FOR FIVE YEARS….THAT in itself says a lot…Wish We were Neighbors…You are such a Doll…I have a JANOME M7…purchased beginning of March 2020 AND TOTALLY LOVE it….I am 87 years old and have had different machines…SO I APPRECIATE YOUR EXPERTISE and PRESENTATION…sincerely Mrs.Carmen Balko
What an excellent independent review ..user for last 5 yrs also..the good the bad and the ugly..this machine has them all.. But perseverance pays off…keep on keeping on….🇨🇦
No machine is perfect, but the s7 checked off all of my important boxes. Purchasing a decent quality independent bobbin winder definitely eased much frustration and was worth the extra cost. I've since upgraded to an MC 9400 and I find the bobbin winding mechanism slightly better on the 9400 but I still prefer the independent winder since it is so fast and easy to use.
Thank you for the video.. I watch a ton ,I mean a TON of sewing videos, and your delivery and thorough explanations are so appreciated!! I have a janome Skyline S9 Embroidery/Sewing machine and find it so difficult to find many videos on Janomes without a long winded sales pitch. Looking forward to more of your videos!!
I have had my S7 for 2 months and absolutely love it. Unloaded a Viking Sapphire that I’d had for 12 years and had many issues with. I do all types of projects with the exception of quilting and have not been disappointed in the S7’s ease of operation . Thanks for a great video. No bobbin issues after I started threading the thread thru a hole prior to winding. Thanks again!
@@angelakeal944 There is an open hole on either side of your Janome bobbin. I thread a tail of my thread from The inside of the bobbin and then wipe it by hand about 8 times before putting on the bobbin winder. Works every time, snip the tail off, it is usually about an inch long after winding. Hope this helps
@@Lindyanne622 Thank you - I will give it a try. I only bought the UK equivalent of this machine yesterday so I haven't even tried to wind a bobbin yet but I have spent ages looking around at videos and reviews. I am sure I will love it though. Thanks again Angela (UK)
@@Lindyanne622 Thank you. I have bought this to replace my Pfaff Quilt Ambition2 which I can't get on with for bag sewing. I bought it as a good all rounder especially in terms of anything that isn't a straight stitch. After seeing the reviews I am sure it will be exactly what I need. I am going to spend tomorrow sorting out my sewing room before I get started on the learning curve that I feel sure is to come! Thank you once again for your kind responses. Best regards Angela
The adjustment for balancing the stitches is under the white plastic disk on the front next to the knee lift socket (Manual page 92). The knob on the side is for adjusting the the top feed to work in perfect sync. with the feed dogs (Manual page 20.) I made the same mistake at first.
I love my skyline 7 too. The one problem I have with the machine is that there is no warning when the bobbin runs low. I’ve sewn long stitches only to find at the end of the row, there was no thread in the bobbin.
Thank you for this great overview of the S7. I've had mine now for a year or two, but I learned a few things from your video. I was having the same problem with my bobbin. I mentioned this to my teacher in a class I attended yesterday, and I found out that I had been threading the bobbin wrong. I had read the manual, and when I went back to it, sure enough! I missed the part where it loops down, around and back up. The next bobbin came out perfectly. I haven't had a chance to try it on a lot of other bobbins, but I think that was the solution. Right now I am wanting to use a Walking Foot on a quilt. I had tried the Accu Feed foot once and wasn't impressed with how it worked. I'll go back and try it again to see if I can get it to work on a quilt. I hope this was operator error. I do love the threader, thread cutter, speed selection, and lifting the needle and foot up and down. It generally sews very nice even stitches. I'm still learning about other features.
Excellent information-I just purchased this machine for its versatility and fabric feed system. I really appreciate your information and thanks for making this video.
Great video! I've had a Janome Memory Craft 9000 since the 90s and I've been looking to replace it without breaking the bank. You explained things very well.
You really explained it good! I haven't heard such a detailed review. I loved that you talked about leather, bags plus clothes and quilting. Not everyone sews quilts or makes bags etc. You talked about all types of fabric and everything you like and don't like! Even my husband watched the whole thing! Keep up the good work and videos!!
Super helpful video. I have the 4120QDC. I've only had it for 5 months, and i am really not wow'd by it. I went back to the dealer, and he recommended the Skyline S6. So your review helps me decide whether i want to go back and get the S6. I like that it is 40% faster than the 4120 i currently have. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for the clear and informative review. I really appreciate that you noted the things you don't like as well as your favorite features. I never would have thought to ask for a demo of the bobbin winder - I just take it for granted! I loved my old Pfaff which is now non-repairable. I'd like something comparable. I definitely don't need embroidery, just sewing all kinds of things (same as your list!) and some quilting. Next step: a demo at local store. Thanks too for the inspiration to get going on the search!
Excellent presentation. I am contemplating trading in my S5 for this machine and as a result of your demonstration, it seems to be the right decision. Thank you!
I am glad to hear about the straight stitch plate. When you are doing regular sewing like shirt making, those straight stitch or those old mechanical sewing machines are better. Sometimes the fabric can be pulled down into the throat plate.
I just got atelier 9 it’s my first real try on a Janome machine I want to thank you for making this video and I feel most if not all I will be able to use on my machine some of this I didn’t know about even after reading the manual thank you for all the lovely tips from jk in England 🏴 xx
Thank you for this video. I have this machine and I learned so much! I thought the bobbin issue was me or my machine. I've taken it in 3 times for repair when I finally bought a bobbin winder and life has been great ever since.😁
thank you for this, I wanted an honest review, informative and helpful in making a decision to purchase, after five years of use, this gives us a true dependability of this machine, again thank you
Thank you for this video. I'm picking up my S6 in a couple of days and it's a great overview. I really like the idea of a stitch library. I love that this has been your main machine for five years. Thanks again.
Thank you so so much, I was going to buy the machine but when you said the bobbin didn’t wind up easily and tightly, I’m going to buy the mc6700p Janome instead! Seriously thank you
Absolutely WONDERFUL TUTORIAL VIDEO ON THIS GREAT MACHINE..I’VE WATCHED IT BEFORE AND will Watch it many more times…as I am intending to purchase one…!!! Already have a M7…and Love it very much…Will trade in my Amazing MC9850 BECAUSE I miss the Pivot feature..I so APPRECIATE YOU’RE WONDERFUL VIDEO THANK YOU
Nice video with some nice tips!!!! I wanted to watch the Z-function with the knee-lifter, a function this machine has that produce variable with for zig-zag stitches by using the knee-lifter as the width regulator. I guess I will have to watch other videos about this machine or the S9,the MC15000 and the sort to see this function. Thanks for your time and your clear explanations!!!!!!
I am in the market for my next sewing machine. I have been piecing quilt tops and done some basic quilting on my Brother CS7000i. Now I know I am going to stick with this “hobby” and I make about 9 to 12 quilts per year. It’s not cost effective to send them all to a long armer. Thank you for your review. I am leaning towards Janome brand but now know this probably isn’t the model for me.
Since I've started doing more quilting, I've upgraded to a gently used Janome MC9400 and I have not been dissappointed. It has all the same features I loved about the Skyline s7 but with an extra 3" of throat space for free motion quilting and the ability to use the HP plate and foot for piecing. If I had the budget, I would buy the Continental M7 but the 9400 is a close second at half the price.
I just purchased this machine and I enjoyed your video very much. very helpful and I have subscribed to your site and will continue to watch you. thank you, brenda
Very clear and informative, Stacey. I and a few friends have the M7. Do you know how much of your S7 technology has been added to the M7? M7 came out after your S7, right?
Love love the video super helpful how you do more I love it if you done a series of features of the machine I just purchased second hand machine and would like heaps more video of step by step getting started going through all the features of machine for quilting, dress making, stitches, operation the machine every thing you have learnt ....I do agree abut bobbin winder I just thought it was me or my machine thanks heap for the tip....please please do more video can't wait to see them
I am thinking of the Atelier 7 / Skyline 7 as i am in the Uk , you have explained it very well , I do a lot of different sewing things so yes this machine is what i need also when you get that bit older the touch screen is brilliant. Thank you .
Thanks. I have the same model, I agree with everything you said, from the temperamental bobbin winder (I have that sorted, I'm a guy so I can really pull the thread into the tension disc's). I got it primarily to take up hems on pants as I got fed up with paying a lot of money for poor quality. I have now got into quilting and shopping bag making. I'm now on the hunt for another sewing machine, this one is a keeper and I will not let go of it. The needle threader is temperamental with the Schmetz needles as I find the Janome needles difficult to get and they have limited choices. I guess I will need to purchase the Janome needles for this in bulk and that is pushing me to the other brand that is a worthy competition to this amazing machine.
I upgraded my skyline s7 to a gently used MC 9400 (the newest version is the MC 9450) about a year ago. It has everything I loved about the skyline with more harp space for fmq. Something I can't explain but appreciate about the 9400 is that it 'feels' beefier and more sturdy. The bobbin winder on the 9400 is better. The hp plate and foot on the 9400 are amazing and I love the thread cutter pedal. You can also use Organ brand needles which are a little easier to find than Janome needles, Organ is who makes Janome needles. I very briefly considered another brand and then easily chose the 9400 once I sat at one. Another plus is that any feet or accessories that you bought for the skyline s7 will fit on the other Janome 9mm machines. If I didn't have budget constraints, I would own the Continental M7.
Also have the s 7 for 5 years- and I do love it! I agree- the bobbin winder sucks! Had 2 Vikings- the 980, and the lily- neither one I could ever get fixed- all they wanted to do was sell me a new one- so I switched to janome and am in love. Thanks for sharing your info
Amen..re bobbin winder..no matter what l do…sucks..why would this be a feature that did not get same amount of attention as the rest of the features..being a die hard Pfaff user ..made me realize made a mistake buying this machine 5 yrs ago..and yet do love most features..switch machines depending on the project l am doing…oh ya..detest having to get machine out of my bed to reach areas to clean..🇨🇦
This was such a great review and gave me a lot of reassurance. Yesterday, I purchased the UK equivalent (Janome Atelier 7) - and for all the reasons you have given. I only tried it for a very short time though and was a little anxious that I may not have given enough thought to my choice. Thank you
Stacy - thanks so much for this excellent video. I thought my problems with the embroidery and bobbin winding were all to do with me so i was glad to hear how you experienced it as well. Did not know there was such a thing as separate bobbin winder! I did find that winding the thread 5-6 times around the bobbin post (not through the hole) mostly 'takes'. It took me forever to find out how that accufeed foot worked and that the key was making sure the latch was hooked in at the back. I agree its a great machine for all kinds of sewing especially the selection of stitch designs. Could you be persuaded to do a tutorial on the Stitch Composer feature? Your teaching voice is great! Thanks so much
I had a problem with the bobbins - they were squishy when I wound them. I found that I needed to be sure to "click" the thread into place. By pulling on it, if properly inserted into tensioning area, there was a bit of resistance on the thread. When I didn't get it right, the thread pulled off the spool very easily.
Very informative. I make quilts, not clothes, and I’m leaning towards janome 8200qcp, which is probably a better choice for me-but I wouldn’t have known that if I didn’t watch this. Thanks.
What bobbin winder did you buy? I have the S5 and I agree with you the bobbin winder does not wind a bobbin very well. I have considered buying a separate one as well.
Very helpful, Stacey!! Thank you!! Question about your stitch samples, that you stitched out, it looks like a piece of fabric sandwiched between interfacing. I want to do the same thing, but I wonder if just fabric and a backing of stitch and tear would work and give the same results. How did you do your sample stitch library?
Thanks so much for this video, Stacey. It was very helpful. I do have 1 question, however. You said in the video it won't sew leather. Do you mean real and thick leather? I sew a lot of bags and use faux leather all the time and if it can't handle those fabrics, I'm back to searching again! Appreciate your help. Thanks!
Hello - thank you for this tutorial. At 65+, I just purchased my first "big girl bad ass" sewing machine - a used Skyline S7. I selected Janome as they seemed to have the best selection of punctuation and math operators; I'm disappointed to hear you say (at the beginning of your video) that the alpa is not great! I'm sure it will do for me, but have you seen a non-embroidery machine with better alpha stitching? Also, have you done a video reviewing which threads work best with the S7?
Thank you for sharing. I have had my Skyline 7 for about the same 5 yrs, and I love it too! I like to do a lot of different sewing, but mostly quilt piecing. I do very little of my own quilting that is beyond straight line, so it has been perfect for me. My gripes are the needle threader hangs up lot. And I am with you on that bobbin winder. What did you get for that? A Sidewinder or a Janome product? I also don’t like the width of the sewing arm when case is removed. It is, too wide for topstitching smaller things such as Podlets or bowls. I can’t say much about the letter stitches, I dont like them. And I have not tried making my own stitches yet with the CD. My first Janome was the little Magnolia which was and still is a great little workhorse machine for piecing, but I am spoiled with that auto presser foot and thread cutting. Too convenient for me. haha
After my tech installed a new threader and warned me to only use Janome brand needles size twelve or bigger, my threader has worked really well with no hanging up or getting stuck. Might be time for a new one with a bit of adjustment to get it working well again. I bought my bobbin winder on Amazon, it was a generic brand for around $50. It works really well and is super fast. I agree about the arm not being small for sleeve cuffs and such. When I need to sew in the round, I turn the item inside out and have the it looping up instead. My old Bernina had a really small free arm, but none of the other features!
I almost got one of these machines, but after a long research of machines, I choose Bernese B77. Believe me, if I could have a do over I would have choose the skyline.
I've altered jeans with no problems and made bags with layers of cotton duck, batting, lining, etc. You do need to use a hump jumper when working with thick fabrics or lots of layers when turning corners or sewing over cross seams or it can get stuck, skip stitches, or have uneven stitches. If you use the hump jumper then all of those problems aren't an issue. I have not sewn with leather and it isn't listed by the manufacturer as being able to. I use my machine with knits all the time, it is why I chose this model to sew my custom skating dress commission work. The acufeed system really helps move stretchy fabric through evenly so that seams lay flat and don't stretch out or pucker up.
@@staceyecklanddesigns7399 thank you for your response. I am torn between getting an s9 or buying one machine for embroidery and one for just sewing. I was told I needed a heavy duty sewing machine for leather but the that limits me to making garments. I was told I would need three machines. I wish there was a sewing machine that did all.
@@craftynurs3434 I think the new Continental M17 has the capabilities you are looking for but costs a small fortune. Three machines would meet your needs and cost far, far less. I like multiple machines better than one do-it-all because then you can work on different projects without having to switch machine settings around. I don't do any embroidery, but if I did I would be looking at the Janome 550 so that I could have something stitching out while I was sewing on my main machine. I did upgrade my s7 to a gently used MC9400 a year ago. While I loved my s7, the 9400 has a larger throat space for free motion quilting and a few more options. It 'feels' heavier duty but I'm not sure that it really is. The HD9 would be my pick if I needed something truly heavy duty.
@@staceyecklanddesigns7399 which one would you recommend for garments sewing, if you had the 550e and janome hd9? I was thinking the janome mc6700, what are your thoughts with those three? Although, it would take up a lot of space which I may not have and the cost would run around 9,000. About the m17, it is a beast and I could not afford it. It's as much as a car, so it is not for me, but I wish I could.
@@craftynurs3434 I bought the s7 specifically for making skating dresses after testing many machines and it served me very, very well. It is a fantastic machine for the money and I liked it better than the 6700 because I wanted computerized features and programs that aren't available on the 6700. The 6700 is definitely a heavier duty machine than the s7. If I had the hd9 then I would probably go for the s7 because you wouldn't need the extra oomph. If the 6700 handles leather (I'm not sure on this and can't seem to find info online) than it may be a better fit for you because you could get away with two machines vs. three. Try them out at a dealer if you can but take your own fabric and leather samples in to see how each machine handles what you want to sew. When I was looking, I brought spandex, stretch mesh, and silk chiffon along with me to see how different machines would feed those specific fabrics. At first stitch, I absolutely loved the s7 over anything else I had tried.
Szyję lalki waldorfskie około 25 - 40cmcm ( ciałka i ubranka) Czy ta maszyna będzie dobra do tego? Chcę jeszcze nauczyć się szyć nerki na pas i torebki czyli do grubszego przeszywania.
I have never sewn on a Brother, so I can't compare to that one. I upgraded my s7 to a gently used MC9400 (the predecessor to the 9450) because I have started to make quilts in addition to garment sewing. I think the 9450 would be a better choice if you are a quilter - that extra throat space is worth the cost difference alone when it comes to free motion quilting. My 9400 has everything I loved about the s7 with some additional features so I have been very happy with my upgrade. The s7 was my first computerized machine and I loved it but I love the 9400 even more!
Yes, it makes a big difference in the quality of the stitching, especial on thread heavy decorative stitches and the lettering. I also use a top-stitch needle.
Hi, I probably know why you are having issues to use the bobbin threader. Would like to tell you about it it is all about putting it right in the number one ....
I own S7 for over 7 years, I am sewing almost every day and have to say, it is the best sewing mashine I´ve ever had
I rarely watch a video from beginning to end but this one was so helpful and informative that I stayed. I looked at an S7 today in a store and wanted to make sure it was going to be worth the money. I am sold! Thank you for taking the time to give an honest review.
When you use the bobbin winder, after you put the bobbin on the spindle, turn it clockwise until it clicks; no more loose bobbins.
YOU described EVERYTHING so Well…WOW…I LOVE the fact that You have had the MACHINE FOR FIVE YEARS….THAT in itself says a lot…Wish We were Neighbors…You are such a Doll…I have a JANOME M7…purchased beginning of March 2020 AND TOTALLY LOVE it….I am 87 years old and have had different machines…SO I APPRECIATE YOUR EXPERTISE and PRESENTATION…sincerely Mrs.Carmen Balko
Thank you so much, I'm glad you found the video helpful. I wish we were neighbors too!!
What an excellent independent review ..user for last 5 yrs also..the good the bad and the ugly..this machine has them all..
But perseverance pays off…keep on keeping on….🇨🇦
No machine is perfect, but the s7 checked off all of my important boxes. Purchasing a decent quality independent bobbin winder definitely eased much frustration and was worth the extra cost. I've since upgraded to an MC 9400 and I find the bobbin winding mechanism slightly better on the 9400 but I still prefer the independent winder since it is so fast and easy to use.
Thank you for the video.. I watch a ton ,I mean a TON of sewing videos, and your delivery and thorough explanations are so appreciated!! I have a janome Skyline S9 Embroidery/Sewing machine and find it so difficult to find many videos on Janomes without a long winded sales pitch. Looking forward to more of your videos!!
Thanks for addressing slippery fabric ... so many demos these days focus on bag making or quilting.
I have had my S7 for 2 months and absolutely love it. Unloaded a Viking Sapphire that I’d had for 12 years and had many issues with. I do all types of projects with the exception of quilting and have not been disappointed in the S7’s ease of operation . Thanks for a great video. No bobbin issues after I started threading the thread thru a hole prior to winding. Thanks again!
When you say you 'started threading your thread through an hole, prior to winding', do you mind explaining how you did this please? Thanks Angela UK
@@angelakeal944 There is an open hole on either side of your Janome bobbin. I thread a tail of my thread from The inside of the bobbin and then wipe it by hand about 8 times before putting on the bobbin winder. Works every time, snip the tail off, it is usually about an inch long after winding. Hope this helps
@@Lindyanne622 Thank you - I will give it a try. I only bought the UK equivalent of this machine yesterday so I haven't even tried to wind a bobbin yet but I have spent ages looking around at videos and reviews. I am sure I will love it though. Thanks again Angela (UK)
@@angelakeal944 Good luck to you! I have loved mine and some of the videos regarding bag making use a Janome! Hope you love it as much as I do!
@@Lindyanne622 Thank you. I have bought this to replace my Pfaff Quilt Ambition2 which I can't get on with for bag sewing. I bought it as a good all rounder especially in terms of anything that isn't a straight stitch. After seeing the reviews I am sure it will be exactly what I need. I am going to spend tomorrow sorting out my sewing room before I get started on the learning curve that I feel sure is to come! Thank you once again for your kind responses. Best regards Angela
The adjustment for balancing the stitches is under the white plastic disk on the front next to the knee lift socket (Manual page 92). The knob on the side is for adjusting the the top feed to work in perfect sync. with the feed dogs (Manual page 20.) I made the same mistake at first.
I have the Skyline 5, and I love it. I also make figure skating dresses, garments and decor items. The Skyline 7 looks pretty awesome.
I love my skyline 7 too. The one problem I have with the machine is that there is no warning when the bobbin runs low. I’ve sewn long stitches only to find at the end of the row, there was no thread in the bobbin.
Thank you for this great overview of the S7. I've had mine now for a year or two, but I learned a few things from your video. I was having the same problem with my bobbin. I mentioned this to my teacher in a class I attended yesterday, and I found out that I had been threading the bobbin wrong. I had read the manual, and when I went back to it, sure enough! I missed the part where it loops down, around and back up. The next bobbin came out perfectly. I haven't had a chance to try it on a lot of other bobbins, but I think that was the solution.
Right now I am wanting to use a Walking Foot on a quilt. I had tried the Accu Feed foot once and wasn't impressed with how it worked. I'll go back and try it again to see if I can get it to work on a quilt. I hope this was operator error.
I do love the threader, thread cutter, speed selection, and lifting the needle and foot up and down. It generally sews very nice even stitches. I'm still learning about other features.
Thank you, 👌👍you are a good teacher
Excellent information-I just purchased this machine for its versatility and fabric feed system. I really appreciate your information and thanks for making this video.
Great video! I've had a Janome Memory Craft 9000 since the 90s and I've been looking to replace it without breaking the bank. You explained things very well.
You really explained it good! I haven't heard such a detailed review. I loved that you talked about leather, bags plus clothes and quilting. Not everyone sews quilts or makes bags etc. You talked about all types of fabric and everything you like and don't like! Even my husband watched the whole thing! Keep up the good work and videos!!
Super helpful video. I have the 4120QDC. I've only had it for 5 months, and i am really not wow'd by it. I went back to the dealer, and he recommended the Skyline S6. So your review helps me decide whether i want to go back and get the S6. I like that it is 40% faster than the 4120 i currently have. Thank you for sharing.
Is there a balance knob.
I use letter O, B, C, Q to balance.
🤺💐
Thanks for the clear and informative review. I really appreciate that you noted the things you don't like as well as your favorite features. I never would have thought to ask for a demo of the bobbin winder - I just take it for granted! I loved my old Pfaff which is now non-repairable. I'd like something comparable. I definitely don't need embroidery, just sewing all kinds of things (same as your list!) and some quilting. Next step: a demo at local store. Thanks too for the inspiration to get going on the search!
Excellent presentation. I am contemplating trading in my S5 for this machine and as a result of your demonstration, it seems to be the right decision. Thank you!
I am glad to hear about the straight stitch plate. When you are doing regular sewing like shirt making, those straight stitch or those old mechanical sewing machines are better. Sometimes the fabric can be pulled down into the throat plate.
Thank you for such a thorough and thoughtful review. I’m looking at this very machine and I think I just made my decision. 😊
I just got atelier 9 it’s my first real try on a Janome machine I want to thank you for making this video and I feel most if not all I will be able to use on my machine some of this I didn’t know about even after reading the manual thank you for all the lovely tips from jk in England 🏴 xx
Thank you for this video. I have this machine and I learned so much! I thought the bobbin issue was me or my machine. I've taken it in 3 times for repair when I finally bought a bobbin winder and life has been great ever since.😁
I have the S9. I LOVE THIS MACHINE.❤❤❤
Thank you for this great video. I have my S7 now since 5 days. Still to learn a lot, but indeed user friendly and easy to operate. Thanks again
thank you for this, I wanted an honest review, informative and helpful in making a decision to purchase, after five years of use, this gives us a true dependability of this machine, again thank you
This was exactly the review I needed to understand if this was the right machine for me! Thank you so much!
Thank you for this video. I'm picking up my S6 in a couple of days and it's a great overview. I really like the idea of a stitch library. I love that this has been your main machine for five years. Thanks again.
Thank you so so much, I was going to buy the machine but when you said the bobbin didn’t wind up easily and tightly, I’m going to buy the mc6700p Janome instead! Seriously thank you
Absolutely WONDERFUL TUTORIAL VIDEO ON THIS GREAT MACHINE..I’VE WATCHED IT BEFORE AND will Watch it many more times…as I am intending to purchase one…!!! Already have a M7…and Love it very much…Will trade in my Amazing MC9850 BECAUSE I miss the Pivot feature..I so APPRECIATE YOU’RE WONDERFUL VIDEO THANK YOU
Nice video with some nice tips!!!! I wanted to watch the Z-function with the knee-lifter, a function this machine has that produce variable with for zig-zag stitches by using the knee-lifter as the width regulator. I guess I will have to watch other videos about this machine or the S9,the MC15000 and the sort to see this function. Thanks for your time and your clear explanations!!!!!!
Great video! Just what i need for an experienced sewer getting into free motion art quilts. Thanks
I am in the market for my next sewing machine. I have been piecing quilt tops and done some basic quilting on my Brother CS7000i. Now I know I am going to stick with this “hobby” and I make about 9 to 12 quilts per year. It’s not cost effective to send them all to a long armer. Thank you for your review. I am leaning towards Janome brand but now know this probably isn’t the model for me.
Since I've started doing more quilting, I've upgraded to a gently used Janome MC9400 and I have not been dissappointed. It has all the same features I loved about the Skyline s7 but with an extra 3" of throat space for free motion quilting and the ability to use the HP plate and foot for piecing. If I had the budget, I would buy the Continental M7 but the 9400 is a close second at half the price.
Thankyou so much really helpful. I’m going to buy this machine now. I’ve been trying to research good and bad points but to no avail. Thanks again.
Very informative. Thanks so much!
I just purchased this machine and I enjoyed your video very much. very helpful and I have subscribed to your site and will continue to watch you. thank you, brenda
Very clear and informative, Stacey. I and a few friends have the M7. Do you know how much of your S7 technology has been added to the M7? M7 came out after your S7, right?
Love love the video super helpful how you do more
I love it if you done a series of features of the machine I just purchased second hand machine and would like heaps more video of step by step getting started going through all the features of machine for quilting, dress making, stitches, operation the machine every thing you have learnt ....I do agree abut bobbin winder I just thought it was me or my machine thanks heap for the tip....please please do more video can't wait to see them
Nicely presented and very helpful...thanks !
I am thinking of the Atelier 7 / Skyline 7 as i am in the Uk , you have explained it very well , I do a lot of different sewing things so yes this machine is what i need also when you get that bit older the touch screen is brilliant. Thank you .
Have fun choosing your next machine and let me know if you decide to go with the Skyline/Atelier 7!
Thanks. I have the same model, I agree with everything you said, from the temperamental bobbin winder (I have that sorted, I'm a guy so I can really pull the thread into the tension disc's). I got it primarily to take up hems on pants as I got fed up with paying a lot of money for poor quality. I have now got into quilting and shopping bag making. I'm now on the hunt for another sewing machine, this one is a keeper and I will not let go of it. The needle threader is temperamental with the Schmetz needles as I find the Janome needles difficult to get and they have limited choices. I guess I will need to purchase the Janome needles for this in bulk and that is pushing me to the other brand that is a worthy competition to this amazing machine.
I upgraded my skyline s7 to a gently used MC 9400 (the newest version is the MC 9450) about a year ago. It has everything I loved about the skyline with more harp space for fmq. Something I can't explain but appreciate about the 9400 is that it 'feels' beefier and more sturdy. The bobbin winder on the 9400 is better. The hp plate and foot on the 9400 are amazing and I love the thread cutter pedal. You can also use Organ brand needles which are a little easier to find than Janome needles, Organ is who makes Janome needles. I very briefly considered another brand and then easily chose the 9400 once I sat at one. Another plus is that any feet or accessories that you bought for the skyline s7 will fit on the other Janome 9mm machines. If I didn't have budget constraints, I would own the Continental M7.
Janome needles are made by Organ.
You've helped me decide to buy one. Very Informative. Thank you
I hope you enjoy your new machine as much as I have loved mine!
Also have the s 7 for 5 years- and I do love it! I agree- the bobbin winder sucks! Had 2 Vikings- the 980, and the lily- neither one I could ever get fixed- all they wanted to do was sell me a new one- so I switched to janome and am in love. Thanks for sharing your info
Amen..re bobbin winder..no matter what l do…sucks..why would this be a feature that did not get same amount of attention as the rest of the features..being a die hard Pfaff user ..made me realize made a mistake buying this machine 5 yrs ago..and yet do love most features..switch machines depending on the project l am doing…oh ya..detest having to get machine out of my bed to reach areas to clean..🇨🇦
This was such a great review and gave me a lot of reassurance. Yesterday, I purchased the UK equivalent (Janome Atelier 7) - and for all the reasons you have given. I only tried it for a very short time though and was a little anxious that I may not have given enough thought to my choice. Thank you
Thank you!
Stacy - thanks so much for this excellent video. I thought my problems with the embroidery and bobbin winding were all to do with me so i was glad to hear how you experienced it as well. Did not know there was such a thing as separate bobbin winder! I did find that winding the thread 5-6 times around the bobbin post (not through the hole) mostly 'takes'. It took me forever to find out how that accufeed foot worked and that the key was making sure the latch was hooked in at the back. I agree its a great machine for all kinds of sewing especially the selection of stitch designs.
Could you be persuaded to do a tutorial on the Stitch Composer feature? Your teaching voice is great!
Thanks so much
Thank you, I'm glad you found the video helpful! I'll see if I can carve out some time to make a video on stitch composer sometime soon.
I had a problem with the bobbins - they were squishy when I wound them. I found that I needed to be sure to "click" the thread into place. By pulling on it, if properly inserted into tensioning area, there was a bit of resistance on the thread. When I didn't get it right, the thread pulled off the spool very easily.
Great information. Appreciate your honesty.
Great video, loved all the tips.
Very informative video. I agree with you about the machine being very versatile.
Very informative. I make quilts, not clothes, and I’m leaning towards janome 8200qcp, which is probably a better choice for me-but I wouldn’t have known that if I didn’t watch this. Thanks.
Very nice video. Thank you!
Brilliant video. Thanks for all good not so good about machine. Fantastic.
More information about the accuquilt system and features and feet would be extremely helpful
What bobbin winder did you buy? I have the S5 and I agree with you the bobbin winder does not wind a bobbin very well. I have considered buying a separate one as well.
Excellent review video. Concise and informative. Thanks for making it!
Very helpful, Stacey!! Thank you!! Question about your stitch samples, that you stitched out, it looks like a piece of fabric sandwiched between interfacing. I want to do the same thing, but I wonder if just fabric and a backing of stitch and tear would work and give the same results. How did you do your sample stitch library?
Thank you! This video was very helpful!
Thank you for this review. It was very helpful!
Thank you. I think I’m going to buy this machine.I wonder if they have improved the bobbin winder since you bought your machine
This is an excellent review! Love it.
Thanks so much for this video, Stacey. It was very helpful. I do have 1 question, however. You said in the video it won't sew leather. Do you mean real and thick leather? I sew a lot of bags and use faux leather all the time and if it can't handle those fabrics, I'm back to searching again! Appreciate your help. Thanks!
Hello - thank you for this tutorial. At 65+, I just purchased my first "big girl bad ass" sewing machine - a used Skyline S7. I selected Janome as they seemed to have the best selection of punctuation and math operators; I'm disappointed to hear you say (at the beginning of your video) that the alpa is not great! I'm sure it will do for me, but have you seen a non-embroidery machine with better alpha stitching? Also, have you done a video reviewing which threads work best with the S7?
Thank you for sharing! I just put money down on this machine. I don't think they included the extendable table in my purchase.
Thank you for sharing. I have had my Skyline 7 for about the same 5 yrs, and I love it too! I like to do a lot of different sewing, but mostly quilt piecing. I do very little of my own quilting that is beyond straight line, so it has been perfect for me. My gripes are the needle threader hangs up lot. And I am with you on that bobbin winder.
What did you get for that? A Sidewinder or a Janome product?
I also don’t like the width of the sewing arm when case is removed. It is, too wide for topstitching smaller things such as Podlets or bowls. I can’t say much about the letter stitches, I dont like them. And I have not tried making my own stitches yet with the CD. My first Janome was the little Magnolia which was and still is a great little workhorse machine for piecing, but I am spoiled with that auto presser foot and thread cutting. Too convenient for me. haha
After my tech installed a new threader and warned me to only use Janome brand needles size twelve or bigger, my threader has worked really well with no hanging up or getting stuck. Might be time for a new one with a bit of adjustment to get it working well again.
I bought my bobbin winder on Amazon, it was a generic brand for around $50. It works really well and is super fast.
I agree about the arm not being small for sleeve cuffs and such. When I need to sew in the round, I turn the item inside out and have the it looping up instead. My old Bernina had a really small free arm, but none of the other features!
Have you ever had any issues with the bobbin case twisting?
I almost got one of these machines, but after a long research of machines, I choose Bernese B77. Believe me, if I could have a do over I would have choose the skyline.
Thanks for commenting this, I’m considering both
I've never been able to get the threader to work. ugh
just fab
Will this handle heavy materials like jeans, leather and stretchy garments?
I've altered jeans with no problems and made bags with layers of cotton duck, batting, lining, etc. You do need to use a hump jumper when working with thick fabrics or lots of layers when turning corners or sewing over cross seams or it can get stuck, skip stitches, or have uneven stitches. If you use the hump jumper then all of those problems aren't an issue. I have not sewn with leather and it isn't listed by the manufacturer as being able to. I use my machine with knits all the time, it is why I chose this model to sew my custom skating dress commission work. The acufeed system really helps move stretchy fabric through evenly so that seams lay flat and don't stretch out or pucker up.
@@staceyecklanddesigns7399 thank you for your response. I am torn between getting an s9 or buying one machine for embroidery and one for just sewing. I was told I needed a heavy duty sewing machine for leather but the that limits me to making garments. I was told I would need three machines. I wish there was a sewing machine that did all.
@@craftynurs3434 I think the new Continental M17 has the capabilities you are looking for but costs a small fortune. Three machines would meet your needs and cost far, far less. I like multiple machines better than one do-it-all because then you can work on different projects without having to switch machine settings around. I don't do any embroidery, but if I did I would be looking at the Janome 550 so that I could have something stitching out while I was sewing on my main machine. I did upgrade my s7 to a gently used MC9400 a year ago. While I loved my s7, the 9400 has a larger throat space for free motion quilting and a few more options. It 'feels' heavier duty but I'm not sure that it really is. The HD9 would be my pick if I needed something truly heavy duty.
@@staceyecklanddesigns7399 which one would you recommend for garments sewing, if you had the 550e and janome hd9? I was thinking the janome mc6700, what are your thoughts with those three? Although, it would take up a lot of space which I may not have and the cost would run around 9,000.
About the m17, it is a beast and I could not afford it. It's as much as a car, so it is not for me, but I wish I could.
@@craftynurs3434 I bought the s7 specifically for making skating dresses after testing many machines and it served me very, very well. It is a fantastic machine for the money and I liked it better than the 6700 because I wanted computerized features and programs that aren't available on the 6700.
The 6700 is definitely a heavier duty machine than the s7. If I had the hd9 then I would probably go for the s7 because you wouldn't need the extra oomph. If the 6700 handles leather (I'm not sure on this and can't seem to find info online) than it may be a better fit for you because you could get away with two machines vs. three.
Try them out at a dealer if you can but take your own fabric and leather samples in to see how each machine handles what you want to sew. When I was looking, I brought spandex, stretch mesh, and silk chiffon along with me to see how different machines would feed those specific fabrics. At first stitch, I absolutely loved the s7 over anything else I had tried.
Would you mind posting which bobbin winder you use? TIA
Great review! I totally agree about the bobbin winder! My featherweight works better:)
Me too re bobbin winder..grrr..each time need to use it..🇨🇦
Szyję lalki waldorfskie około 25 - 40cmcm ( ciałka i ubranka) Czy ta maszyna będzie dobra do tego? Chcę jeszcze nauczyć się szyć nerki na pas i torebki czyli do grubszego przeszywania.
How would you compare this machine to the janome MC 9450 and the Brother PQ1500SL? I do predominantly free-motion quilting.
I have never sewn on a Brother, so I can't compare to that one. I upgraded my s7 to a gently used MC9400 (the predecessor to the 9450) because I have started to make quilts in addition to garment sewing. I think the 9450 would be a better choice if you are a quilter - that extra throat space is worth the cost difference alone when it comes to free motion quilting. My 9400 has everything I loved about the s7 with some additional features so I have been very happy with my upgrade. The s7 was my first computerized machine and I loved it but I love the 9400 even more!
Do you use interfacing when creating your stitch library?
Yes, it makes a big difference in the quality of the stitching, especial on thread heavy decorative stitches and the lettering. I also use a top-stitch needle.
Would you give a simple tutorial on producing the stitch library?
I love mine too…
Hi, I probably know why you are having issues to use the bobbin threader. Would like to tell you about it
it is all about putting it right in the number one ....
This is my favorite machine
Great instructional video. It would have been more helpful to have closeups of the screen so we could see what you are touching.