One day, I just dropped by Ace Sewing and Vacuum in Pompano Beach, Florida to see what was new.
Janome Horizon Memory Craft 8200QC
I came upon a machine that I hadn’t had an opportunity to review so far – the Janome Horizon Memory Craft 8200QC. This isn’t a newly released machine. It has actually been on the market for a little while now.
At A Glance
I can’t say that there was any one particular feature that stood out for me when I first saw this computerized sewing and quilting machine.
Function buttons just above the needle
Perhaps it was the simplicity of the design. It is stark white with black easy to read lettering and a couple of red accents here and there.
It has a large workspace – about 11 or 12 inches from the needle to the column; a conveniently situated drop feed control on the right side of the machine – just below the power switch and function buttons on the front.
The start/stop, needle up/down, fix, stop, thread cut, and reverse stitch function buttons are on the front of the machine, just above the needle.
There is also an on board stitch selection guide, a backlit LCD screen and a numerical touchpad on the column, a clear bobbin cover and a seam guide etched onto the needle plate along with a detachable accessories tray that when removed gives you access to the free arm.
Features
- 120 built in decorative and utility stitch options
- 7 automatic buttonholes
- 1 alphanumeric font
- 7 piece feed dog
- Accufeed fabric feeding system
- Direct select keys take you to your favorite stitches instantly
- Adjustable stitch length and width
- Adjustable knee lift
- Change the needle plate in one step
- Adjustable presser foot pressure
- Two on board accessory storage compartments
- Detachable accessories case reveals the free arm
Working on the Janome Horizon Memory Craft 8200QC
Clearly marked guides for threading the Janome Horizon Memory Craft 8200QC and winding the bobbin make these tasks easy enough for a child of 10 or 12 to accomplish with little or no adult supervision.
The on board stitch selection guide simplifies the stitch selection process, making the entire set up procedure almost seem like child’s play.
On board stitch selection guide
There are six different stitch ‘modes’ or categories… or groupings as I prefer to call them. You must first find the mode where your desired stitch is located then dial up the stitch number on the touch pad.
Touch pad for stitch selection
I couldn’t help but marvel at the extremely light touch of this machine. A mere touch of my fingertip set all the functions in motion.
There was literally no pressure required at all – just a gentle touch engaged all the function buttons as well as the numerical keypad used to make stitch selections.
The lighting is superb. Nearly all of the new sewing machines have LED lighting. The placement of these lights, however, and the fact that there are five LED bulbs on the Janome Horizon Memory Craft 8200QC not only make it easy to see the workspace, they are placed in such a way that there are no shadows at all.
The Janome Horizon Memory Craft 8200QC does not vibrate at all and it is extremely quiet, no doubt, a benefit of its solid construction.
The ergonomic knee lift is an added plus when you want to keep both hands on your work while manipulating it and raising or lowering the presser foot at the same time.
The quality of the stitches produced by the Janome Horizon Memory Craft 8200QC are well defined, sturdy and have the appearance that you often see only in work done on much more costly sewing and quilting machines.
Well defined, sturdy stitch quality
Fabrics
- Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool
- Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet
- Knits
- Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester
- Leather/suede
- Fur
- Reptile skin
- Canvas/Twill
- Plastic/Rubber
- Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers
Accessories
- 16 Snap on presser feet
- Zigzag foot
- Rolled hem foot
- Zipper foot
- Satin stitch foot
- Open-toe satin stitch foot
- Blind hemming foot
- Overcast foot
- 1/4˝ seam foot
- Darning foot
- Convertible free motion quilting foot
- Close-toe foot
- Open-toe foot
- Clear view foot
- Automatic buttonhole foot
- Dual feed foot
- Button sewing foot
- Quilting guide bar
- 5 Bobbins
- Buttonhole stabilizer plate
- 2 Spool holders (1 large/1 small)
- Spool supporter
- Felt
- Extra spool pin
- Needle set
- Screwdriver
- Lint brush
- Seam ripper
- Knee lift
- Straight stitch needle plate
- Stylus
- Instructional DVD
- Owner’s manual
Maintenance
| After each use | Monthly* | Once Each Year** | As Needed | |
| Clean race hook and feed dogs | ||||
| Wipe head with soft dry cloth | ||||
| Wipe head with soft damp cloth | ||||
| Lubricate | ||||
| Service by sewing machine repair professional |
Tying Off The Loose Ends
I love this machine. It has everything any serious home sewer could wish for and appreciate. The light touch is awesome.
I can’t say that I can remember having sewn on any other machine that has such a delicate touch. In addition to all the things I talked about earlier in this review, I must add that the Janome Horizon Memory Craft 8200QC is one of the easiest to navigate computerized machines I have seen so far.
Very seldom do I see a computerized machine that I can recommend for use by beginners without reservation. This is one of the exceptions.
The function buttons are so easy to use and so clearly marked, I think a person as young as 10 or 12 could easily learn to sew on this machine.
Large workspace
Finding the stitch mode or grouping is as easy as touching the button marked ‘Mode’. There are no confusing icons to decipher and the monochromatic LCD screen does not have a lot of busy details for the user to try to keep track of.
Adjusting the stitch length and width is as simple as touching the plus or minus signs beneath a pair of icons which are very easy to understand.
Sometimes sewing machine manufacturers make things overly complicated in their attempts to make their machines attractive to the end user.
This is not the case here. I ascribe the KISS principle – Keep I Simple Sweetie – and so do the folks at Janome. This is why I am convinced that beginners in almost every age range will be very comfortable learning and sewing on the Janome Horizon Memory Craft 8200QC.
When you take that into consideration along with the fact that this machine has so many great features and qualities, I honestly believe that the Horizon Memory Craft 8200QC is a great choice for anyone who has a yen to add a sewing and quilting machine to their sewing room.
Not only is this machine a good choice for the person who is new to machine quilting, it will also please the person who has been quilting for a long time but doesn’t have enough space in their sewing room for one of those large quilting frames.
The large workspace – more than 11 inches from needle to column – makes it possible to work on those quilting projects that require a little more space than other machines give you.
In addition, with the Horizon Memory Craft 8200QC, you get the workmanship, reputation and long standing tradition of superlative service that the Janome brand is built up and continues to be known for.
Don’t’ take my word for it. Visit your local Janome dealer and ask for a demonstration. I think you will be just as impressed by this machine’s light touch, solid construction and quiet performance as I was.