I am beginning to HATE the buttonholer........(see notes in review for updated information)

MY HISTORY WITH JANOME

I first bought a Janome machine when they were still called New Home back in 1985. I wanted a good sewing machine having had 2 others burn out on me. I sew a lot so I purchased the TOP OF THE LINE New Home 6000.

At that time it was one of the first computerized machines that Janome made. I even had my son sew on it at age 7 for his first sewing project. His stitching was so perfect that one judge refused to give him a blue ribbon at the fair because she thought I sewed it for him!

I loved that machine. It was my friend. I designed clothes for myself and others of every genre. It was the best tool I had ever had.

And then it died.

Now, granted, I had many years of good service from that machine. 14 years is a long time for computerized things.

Like others I have talked with, the customer support for my 6000 was pretty shaky, but I did have 5 years parts and labor. The repairman did not ever know how to fix it, so my husband (despite my horrified screaming) begged me to let him try to fix it.

At last in desperation, I let him. So the first thing he did was head for the "DO NOT TOUCH THIS PANEL" place.

After arguing, he finally took off the panel and lo and behold, there was a clump of dust lodged in there!

Machine fixed.

So we had purchased the manual to fix it ourselves.

But this time, the computer panel could not be replaced. JANOME STOPPED MAKING THEM. It has only been 14 years- what is this?

So I had very little money to spend and was looking for a safer machine. Non-computer to be specific.


TIME FOR A NEW MACHINE

I found a place where they were selling 4000's for a very low price (stock reduction) as well as the mechanical counterpart (M3123). I had paid $1000 for the memory craft 6000. I paid only $479 for this 4000 model.

I also bought the mechanical version for backup. (See my review of the JANOME M3123 machine in the Janome section).


MY FIRST REACTION

When I first plugged in the Memory craft 4000, I had decided that nothing could compare to the 6000 I had come to love so much. I was shocked to find that the stitches offered on the 4000 were every thing from my 6000 and MORE!

The only things missing were a few stitches that I thought were stupid anyway.


WHAT IS THIS MACHINE LIKE?

The machine is streamlined and the case is great. Case has storage for the book and the foot pedal right in it. I like that.

I also like the fact that it has a separate plug for the foot pedal from the power plug. The foot pedal plug is retractable too. That is a wonderful feature.



STITCH QUALITY AND TENSION

Stitch penetration is close to my 6000. I think the parts are slightly cheaper, but the performance is very close. I am currently sewing a pair of jeans from faux animal skins (no laughing now (grin)) and it does go through the thick top stitch problem areas where seams intersect very well. It does not skip stitches as much as my 6000 did when very thick fabric is used.

I am not sure I like the automatic tension feature, but it does have a manual switch too. For the most part the auto tension works great. Once in a great while it is a bit off, but when I end the seam and start another it corrects itself. That is the exception not the rule, however. It is usually fine.


LED SCREEN

The LED screen is easy to read and is adjustable for darkness and contrast. Direct sunlight on the screen could cause difficulty in reading, so be careful of where you put it. The presser foot needed for each stitch is also put on there as well as width and length.


STITCH WIDTH , LENGTH AND LIST

I would prefer a dial for the length and width though. Instead there is a little button for each. When you press the + side, it goes up in small increments. When you press - it goes down.

The stitch chart is on the right hand side of the machine facing you and it latches up and hangs down (like a flap) when you are using the machine. It is VERY helpful and I like it.

There are a good group of stitches that have a individual button for each. The rest have to be typed in by numbers for each one. It is not really inconvenient, however.


INSTRUCTION BOOK, NEEDLE THREADER, AND STORAGE AREA

Instruction book is excellent and it also comes with a chart that clearly outlines the purpose of each button and dial on the machine.

The tray for the presser feet does go inside the case (which is in the removable arm - called table extension) which I do not like. My other machine had the places for each presser foot molded into the top of the machine.

The needle threader is excellent. It is a bit easier to use as well as more sturdy than the one I had in the 6000.

You pull it down. There is a hook that goes through the eye of the needle. you thread it under the hook, pull it through the needle and then up. The loop left is to be pulled through the needle and it is threaded.


BUTTONHOLE STICHES

There are 5 button holes possible on this machine- bartack, rounded, keyhole, and one for stretch knits as well as manual one for wovens.
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ADDENDUM NOTE: Updated August 10, 2001.

I have tried the buttonholer on several occasions since writing this review and am very please with the sensor buttonholer ON THIN FABRICS THAT HAVE NO BUMPS ON THE SURFACE.

On thicker fabrics, the manual buttonholer, and occasionally the automatic buttonholer (gives you some control and ability to repeat a size of hole) works better. Bumps tend to hang the buttonholer up and you end up with uneven and strained stiches.

If you hammer thick buttonhole areas before sewing something thick such as blue jeans holes, it will help some also.

The key buttonholer has to be monitored to make the fabric go through evenly. I have to tug once in a while to get it to come out evenly if the fabric is really bumpy.

The knit buttonholer is fine if there are no lumps where you are sewing it.

So, the buttonholer is not as frustrating for me now that I am aware of the idiosyncrasies. All of the computerized buttonholers in any brand machine I have tried are similar in frustration.

This one just takes a bit of getting used to.

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OTHER STITCHES

There is an eyelet stitch, several overlock type stitches, darning, and a very nice lock button that makes it so you can sew a knot in the underside of your seam and lock it in place.

Two sizes of script and block letter alphabet are on here as well. The words spell out on the screen so you can see them and correct mistakes.

There are chain stitches (repetitive flowers or hearts, etc) and motif stitches (all in one design- one alligator that locks at the end for example)

The decorative stitches are exceptional for this level of machine.


REVERSE, AUTO KNOT, UP-DOWN BUTTONS

There is a little green button that makes the machine reverse as long as it is pressed. When you let go, the machine goes forward again.


Above that button is a pair of white buttons. On the left is the auto knot button. Press once and the needle goes up and down in the same spot creating a knot. This is excellent at the end of a dart, or in another area where you need to have a knot to secure, but can not backstitch.

There is an up-down button. When you press it once, the button goes down into the fabric. Every time the needle stops, it stops IN the fabric.

When you press it again, then the needle ends in the UP position every time.

This is excellent when stitching in tiny areas and you need both hands. The needle staying in the fabric makes it easy to turn corners. I love this feature.


ADVICE ABOUT PURCHASING A COMPUTER MACHINE

I am hoping that the computer components last me for some time.

Whenever buying a computer machine, make sure you have a trusty mechanical back up though. I have friends that have had many different computer machines blow up or burn out in the first few months of owning them- Viking, Bernina, Singer, just to name a few.


WARNING

Also important MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR MACHINE IN A GOOD SURGE PROTECTOR. If you can, make sure you also unplug it when you are not using it. Electrical storms can cause damage if there is a lightning hit.

It is the nature of the beast. Computer technology is much more fragile than the old trusty mechanically driven machines.

FINAL RECOMMENDATION

I have finally had more chance to really give the MEMORY CRAFT 4000 a workout. I have used it on many different jobs and found it very equal to the task.

Despite the buttonhole being a bit finicky on bumpy fabrics , I realize that is not a problem unique to this machine. ALL computer machines I have tried have this same problem.

I have found this machine to be a fabulous machine. I love the consistency of stitches. It is enjoyable to use and very close to the quality of the Memory Craft 6000 I love so much. The variety of stiches offered and the quality is at the top of its class.

If you have a need for a fabulous machine, this one is a fantastic bet. And if you can get it for a price close to what I did, you would be silly not to!

Just remember, if it is possible, get a mechanical machine for a backup in case this needs to be repaired. I think the expectation of 10 year life span on this machine is pretty reasonable, considering the computer components.






Hope this has been helpful to you! PLEASE RATE THIS REVIEW! I NEED TO KNOW IF IT WAS HELPFUL TO YOU OR NOT.

Thanks!

Recommended: Yes