Janome M7200 Review

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On a visit to Sunshine Sewing and Quilting in Margate, Florida, I had an opportunity to review the Janome M7200.  The M720 is at the top of the new Janome M line of machines, the company’s newest line of affordably priced sewing machines specifically designed for beginners.

At A Glance

When I first saw it, my thought was that the Janome M7200 very much resembles the Janome DC 5100.  Upon closer examination, however, I discovered that while some things appeared the same, there are very definite differences between these two sewing machines.

Janome M7200

Unlike the DC 5100, the Janome M7200 a speed control lever, and function buttons start/stop; needle up/down; reverse stitch; mirror image; design stop; and thread tie off/cut.  Both machines are equipped with an on-board needle threader and a colorful panel on the column with buttons which give the user immediate access to the most frequently used utility stitches, stitch selection buttons and controls for adjusting stitch length and width.

M7200 Large Workspace

Other function buttons on the column include a stitch memory button; thread tie-off/cut; buttonhole selector; and mode.  Above this panel of buttons is a small LCD screen which displays the stitch number and other critical data like stitch length and width settings, and an icon that lets the user know which presser foot is best to use for a selected stitch pattern.

The M7200 also has a removeable accessories case which gives the user access to a free arm and a lever to control the drop feed function on the back of the bed. There is also a large, well-lit workspace, a large needle plate with seam guides etched on it and an on-board stitch selection chart which can be attached to the machine head above the needle.

Features

• Horizontal rotary hook
• 200 built-in utility and decorative stitches
  • 1 Alphanumeric font
  • 12 one-step buttonholes
• Manual thread tension control
• Built-in, one-hand needle threader
• Snap-on presser feet
• 7-piece feed dog
• Free arm
• Function buttons:
  • Drop feed
  • Start/stop
  • Locking stitch
  • Automatic tie off/thread cutter
  • Reverse stitch
  • Needle up/down [default setting-down]
• Extra high presser foot lift
• Backlit LCD screen
• Easy navigation keys

Backlit LCD Screen

Working on the Janome M7200

Following the easy, user friendly numerical threading guide on the Janome M7200 is literally as simple as one, two three. Helpful on-board guides make winding the drop-in bobbin and putting it into place equally uncomplicated.

Threading Guide

After the machine is threaded, the next step is to determine which stitch to use.  The reversible stitch selection chart located on top of the machine head is not only conveniently situated, it is designed in such a way that it is easy to understand and use.  It is important to note here that the stitch selection guide is divided into three distinct modes:

Mode 1 – utility and basic decorative stitches;

Mode 2 – larger, more elaborate decorative stitches;

Mode 3 – block alphanumeric font

If you select a stitch number but do not first select the correct mode, you will not get the stitch you want. The mode is chosen by pressing the Mode button on the column until the light identifying the desired mode is lit next to the +/- button on the right.

After selecting the proper mode, the next step is to use the up and down arrows on the column in order to choose the desired stitch number within the mode grouping.  Buttons with plus and minus signs on the column are used to adjust the stitch length and width.

Stitch Adjustment

The middle row of buttons are used to access most frequently utility stitches – straight; zigzag and buttonholes.

The buttons at the bottom are for setting the M7200 to automatically tie off and cut the thread at every stop; to store and clear memory and to select the mode.

During this review, I observed a quiet hum while the machine was running at both the middle and high-speed settings.  Even though it was sitting on one of those plastic folding utility tables with nothing beneath it except an Olfa mat, there was absolutely no vibration whatsoever.  Each of the decorative and utility stitches sampled were perfectly formed, balanced and secure.

Fabrics

• Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool
• Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet
• Knits
• Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester
• Denim
• Upholstery
• Leather/suede
• Fur
• Reptile skin
• Canvas/Twill
• Plastic/Rubber
• Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers

Accessories

Standard accessories:

• 8 Snap on presser feet

• • 1/4″ Seam Foot
  • Automatic Buttonhole Foot
  • Blind Hem
  • Even Feed Foot
  • Overedge Foot
  • Satin Stitch Foot
  • Zig-Zag Foot
  • Zipper Foot

• Spool pins (2 large; 2small)
• 4 Bobbins
• Needles
• Seam ripper/Buttonhole opener
• Lint brush
• Screwdriver
• Reversible stitch selection chart
• Owner’s manual
• Instructional DVD
• Hard cover
• Large extension table

Accessories

Optional accessories:

• 3-Way cording foot
• Applique foot
• Beading foot set
• Binder foot
• Blind hem foot
• Bobbin holder for free motion quilting
• Border guide foot
• Button sewing foot
• Manual buttonhole foot
• Closed toe darning foot
• Concealed zipper foot
• Convertible even feed foot
• Convertible free-motion quilting foot set
• Open toe darning foot [high shank]

• Open toe darning foot [low shank]

• Ditch quilting foot
• Edge guide foot
• Free motion quilting foot [low shank]
• Fringing foot
• Gathering foot
• Hemmer feet set
• Horizontal spool holder
• Manual needle threader
• Open toe foot with quilting guide
• Open toe satin stitch foot
• Overedge foot
• Pintucking cord guide
• Pintucking foot
• Piping foot
• Ribbon / sequin foot
• Rolled hem foot
• Roller foot
• Rotary even foot
• Satin stitch foot [open toe]
• Sliding buttonhole foot
• Sliding guide foot
• Straight stitch foot
• Ultraglide foot
• Zipper foot [screw on]
• Straight stitch needle plate
• Spool stand
• 9 Piece scissor kit
• Ruffler
• Ribbon sewing guide
• Ready-to-quilt training panels by PatternJam
• Extra large foot controller
• Flower stitching attachment
• Buttonhole stabilizer plate
• Quilting attachment kit
• Quilting guide

Maintenance

Tying Off The Loose Ends

Overall, I believe the Janome M7200 is an excellent machine for home sewers at all levels. I hesitate to recommend it for use by young children or beginners of any age who are intimidated by having too many choices or who may not be comfortable going through the extra step of changing from one mode to another when move from one stitch selection group to another.

While many young children are computer savvy and able to operate machines that are somewhat highly technical in nature, I don’t believe the M7200 is a good choice for children who are still at the elementary school level. Youngsters who are in middle school and higher are, in my opinion, more adaptable to following multiple steps in order to accomplish a specific task.

I am inclined to have the same reservation when considering use of the Janome M7200 by anyone who is challenged with following more the series of steps required to successfully move through the stitch selection process.  This includes adults who may be intimidated by technology.

One very good feature the of design built into the positioning of stitch selection chart on the Janome M7200 is that it can be folded behind the machine when it is not in use.  This feature is particularly useful for storing or moving the machine because it is not necessary to remove the chart in order to put the hard cover over it. With the chart permanently in place, the likelihood of its getting lost or damaged is practically eliminated altogether.

I observed that the drop feed control lever is behind the free arm.  While this is an ongoing personal peeve for me, I must concede that this one is a bit easier to access because of the overall design of the M7200.  The detachable accessories case is mounted on the front of the free arm only, leaving the back completely accessible at all times.

Drop Feed Control Lever

I continue to campaign for all drop feed controls be located on the column or someplace on front of all sewing machines.  However, I have also come to recognize that placing the drop feed control on back of the machine is more economical, and therefore, more desirable for keeping costs lower on more affordable sewing machines. In the long run, this concession is probably a fair compromise when compared with the overall quality of a sewing machine at any price point.

While all of the stitches sampled during this review were flawless, the owner’s manual suggests that depending upon fabric type, thickness and number of fabric layers, the stretch stitch may not come out perfectly.  The manual offers a solution to the problem by using the screwdriver tool to adjust a screw behind the accessories storage compartment.

This sent up a red flag for me… albeit not because of anything I observed during this specific review. I cannot, however, help but wonder if this unusual adjustment of the feed balance dial may be required for one stitch, is it possible that the same type of adjustment may be required for other stitches a well?

I have repeatedly said that almost every brand new sewing machine works perfectly right out of the box.  It is only after use in a real home situation over several months and sometimes even years before the true reliability and dependability of a sewing machine can be determined.

My experience has been that the manual tension dial is normally all that is needed to adjust the appearance and formation of any sewing machine stitch.  The need for this additional adjustment feature makes me wonder if perhaps it will be necessary to make adjustments when using other stitch options as well. As they say… only time will tell.

With this in mind, I am comfortable recommending the purchase of the Janome M7200 with the aviso ‘buyer be aware’.  When considering how many machines are sold with defects that are known to the manufacturer and deliberately withheld, I am inclined to trust that the folks at Janome are doing their very best to not only cover their bases, but to honestly and candidly inform consumers of possible unanticipated performance problems in advance.

Given the trend to try to cover up and even deny product defects, even when loss of life is a very real prospect, I commend Janome for putting this in the owner’s manual, making the consumer aware of this possibility at the very beginning. The challenge is that some people tend to take the sewing machine out of the carton and begin working on it immediately without taking the time to read the manual in its entirety.

Accessories Compartment

According to information available through the Janome website, the Janome M7200 has an MSRP of $1199. Anyone who might be interested in purchasing this light weight, solidly built sewing and quilting machine should contact the authorized Janome dealer in their area and ask for a demonstration.  If this is truly the machine for you, I have very little doubt you will be happy with your selection after you get it home.

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