Janome 9300DX

I bought this to replace a very expensive (at the time) Elna Pro overlocker that could not be repaired as it was so old. Used that a lot to make baby clothes, basket lining and cot sheets, and then a complete double bed duvet and sheets, not did not use half the stitches, accessories etc. So had to weigh up whether to replace it for non-professional, occasional use.Well, this machine has been wonderful. About a third of the price or less too! I have had it working to reduce its daily cost!I started by making six cushions out of very heavy, chenille material with double sided pattern, giving a silky side and a raised weave side, and used piping on three sides. The material was as new, in a recycling shop for £.10.00, so the overlocker was going to have to pay for itself. The material frayed so easily when handled, that I overlocked each side of the piping strips as well as all the cushion edges, before I made the cushions up. This machine behaved impeccably, despite the ups and downs and thickness etc.I was delighted and so inspired at how quietly it worked, staying stable and feeding the material in with ease. Loved the flat, even stitching, so I embarked on altering an expensive, (in a sale though) waxed coat that I never really liked as it was country style and far too wide at the hips, for riding. Now, you do not take on removing lining, cutting and adjusting seams needing overlocking before sewing and inserting new lining, also needing to be reduced in size, if you are not an expert seamstress unless you have confidence in your machines. Amazingly, the overlocker went down the waxed cotton seams, that were turned and oversewn after, with consummate ease!!! I actually achieved my aim and re-waxed it. Already, I have a Janome sewing machine and cannot imagine needing anything else. The old machine would have chewed up polyester padding and soft cotton, but it just coped!Threading is about the same as the old machine. It has a clear diagram and each thread is colour coded with spots right from the spool level. I did not find it difficult at all but I am experienced in threading up machines. I use large spools or the smaller 1000 metre ones and, by lifting up the bar, it keeps it all flowing.While the variety of stitches is basic, in width and length, I would highly recommend this machine and the Janome make. I did buy an old brand new sewing machine, but it went wrong very rapidly, was clunky and think that it is worth paying double for a better make, for an amateur or hobbyist!

I first saw a Janome overlocker machine being demonstrated at J. Lewis in Oxford St. London, and was amazed by the results. On arrival home, I read the Amazon reviews before purchasing the Janome 9300. Delivery was prompt, and well packaged. The overlocker produces a much more professional look when binding edges, much better than the zig zag done on my sewing machine. It's good on fine summer fabrics, medium weight fabrics and heavy fabrics. Also very good on towelling as it cuts and binds the edges straight away with no fraying. Also it's going to save me so much time, last week I spent three evenings oversewing by hand a skirt hem, made from a very thick fabric. This machine does it in a flash. The cutting blade can be turned off, although I haven't tried it yet. It comes with four spools with a small amount of thread on them, they worked loose in transit. I leave the telescopic arm in the fully extended position, when not in use. I stapled together a clear plastic bag to cover the machine and keep the dust off the spools when not in action.The first spool was the most difficult to thread, as one of the holes has to be threaded beneath the cutting blade and about 2" towards the left. The rest much easier and by pausing and rewinding the dvd that comes with it, it was a great help. I found the dvd of greater help than the diagram on the machine.

This was a replacement for my old Jaguar Epilock which decided to burn its own motor out! (it was old) The Janome was ready to use straight out of the box as it came pre threaded - this wasn't a concern for me though as I've used overlockers for years. I put it to work straightaway and was pleased with the results. The instruction manual is as always from Janome, thorough and tells you all you need to know.The only tiny thing that I can say is a downside is that the machine didn't come with thread arresters. I use cones the majority of the time so not too much of an issue, but if I need to use ordinary spools, I'll have to hunt round for some. Most surprisingly, it didn't come with a lint brush! I thought this was standard fayre for any machine whether overlocker or regular?!Overall. A decent machine for a fair price.

Wish I had bought an overlocker before as finished off seams so much better. It’s easy to use but like all overlockers a bit of a nightmare to thread up. If you use all the time it will become straightforward like your sewing machine. I spent ages watching the you tube tutorials!Top tips replace the provided threads/cops or keep a very close eye as they don’t last very long and you then have to work out the set up when it’s all new. Otherwise remember to tie a new thread when changing over to the old one then you can just pull it through- so much easierI would also clean out the casing every time as lots of fluff builds up- small paint brush useful

Received item and opened to reveal a very nice looking Overlocker, small but well constructed with a reassuring weight, the build quality is excellent which means it stays where it’s supposed to be during a trial operation. My wife who will be chief operator already uses a Janome Sewing Machine.This review is a preliminary one so I will update in time. I was particularly pleased that it came ready threaded and a special thanks to those who answered my question regarding “Does this come ready threaded?” although one answer said it didn’t come ready threaded so assume this was a returned item sent out without the spools. As mentioned will update later, suffice to say wife is delighted, if she is happy then so am I.