USER REVIEWS   write your own review

Average Review:   Number of reviews: 31   A reviewer from WA Overall Good Small/Beginner Machine This machine was given to my 9 year old daughter for her first starter machine. The pros are that it is lightweight, small and portable and the stitches are even. We were disappointed that it did not have a light or markings on the plate, some necessary basics for a beginner sewer. Also, placing the bobbin in the case correctly did not seem to be as easy as stated. The other Janome machines have a picture guide. It was also quite loud and would have been nice to have more than one speed. We are now upgrading to a model that can do more and has more features. Due to cost and our experience with this one, it may be an electronic Brother, although the other Janomes look like good options.   A reviewer from Wingo, KY Perfect for beginners My mother bought this machine for my daughter. I was skeptical at first but we are now fighting over it! She has made 2 dresses and 2 pair of pants, I have made 2 dresses and bibs for friends. She is also using it for many crafts! Great machine.   A reviewer from Manitowoc, wi Great little thing!! bought this to teach my neice some stuff cuz it didn't seem too intiminating and ez to use. It was just that!! She ran it well and had no problems doing her projects. I really liked it alot!! I am going to have to get one for myself!! Fits nicely into a reuseable grocery bag(it really is only 5 lbs!!). Ya the downside is that it has no light but oh well nothing a desk lamp can't help with. Great little machine!!!   A reviewer from Buffalo, NY Just right! When I saw this machine in a Hancock store, I couldn't believe the size, features, and price. Purchased one right away and find it absolutely perfect for traveling. Too hard to haul around a full-size machine when all you really need is a straight stitch and a good zigzag. Solved the two biggest minuses: 1) no light--a folding booklight work fine, 2) no case or handle--designed a zippered, padded carry tote with lots of pockets and handles that make it a shoulder bag. I get compliments. Leaving shortly on an extended train trip and I'll make a quilt while riding. How cool is that!!   TOOTLES from Chippewa Falls, WI PPEERRRFEEEECCCCCCCCCCTTTTTTTTTT FOR BEGINNERS OF ALL AGES I wanted a small machine to take to "Sewing Days" at our church. Where we sew "Dresses for African girls, lap quilts for the local hospital and recently "cloth grocery bags" for a local grade school that provides groceries every friday to kids from poor homes. Since then I have bought 4 more 2 I gave to others for their grandkids and 2 I use to teach my neighbor girls how to sew. I have not run into anything negative.   Linda from Zephyrhills, FL Janome 525 Mini is a great machine. Boy do I have a little jewel. The Janome 525 Mini is so easy to set up and use. I tried scrap material first to determine the correct tension for my stitches. Then I was off and running. I made my first pair of kitchen trimmed curtains along with 2 cascade valances and insert with ribbon trim. They were so easy to make on this machine. It does have one speed - slow - but the stitches were the straightest I've ever sewn. One drawback is there is no light, but this little machine can make all your accomlishments possible and so rewarding. Thank you Janome!   A reviewer from Orange County, CA. 'Great things come in small packages' Bought this machine for my cardmaking/scrapbookng needs. Unbelievably easy to use. Cannot be any simpler, first sewing machine to own. Great, great investment!   A reviewer from California This machine rocks! I have had mine for close to 2 years now, and my friends all use it at crops. I can't believe how well it has held up. I LOVE this machine! I have used it SO much, and so have so many others. It's an awesome little machine for scrapbooking. I've never sewn fabric with it, outside of attaching things to a page. Just recently, someone mentioned that when they stitch something onto a page, they actually stitch around the item then glue it on the page. Going to do this, as it will make things a bit neater. Overall, however, 5 stars. Awesome product! Wondering if I should buy a second as a backup in case they stop making them!   A reviewer from Minneapolis, MN Easy to use, amazing power! I love this machine! I have made several queen-sized quilts with it, and it never misses a beat. Even when I sometimes get behind on cleaning out the lint, it still runs like a dream. The user's manual is very easy to understand and follow. Love it, love it, love it!!!   A reviewer from Eastern Iowa Perfect for my needs! I bought the sew mini by Janome because several of my paper crafting friends had bought it. Little did I know they hadn't gotten theirs out of the box yet when I ordered mine. Well, I was dying to sew on my paper projects, so I got mine out the first week or so that I had it. I LOVE it! Let's just say, I have been very intimidated with the idea of sewing on a full sized machine. Not sure why. It just didn't seem for me at the moment! AND I wanted to take the machine to crops, (wanted something very portable.) I got the sew mini on sale for $40, and BOY is that a deal! It was easy to follow the instructions to wind a bobbin, and then to thread! I have had a couple little issues were I missed something, and it made a weird noise. My bad. Re-thread and off I was going again! I sewed 4 pages my first night. Got it out again at another crop a week later, and sewing some more. I have since got a bag, changed threads several times and it is doing a great job! If you are sewing paper crafts, can't imagine a better buy! I can't wait to sew something CLOTH here sometime soon too! :) No, it does not have a light. But since when do sewers and scrapbookers craft in dark spaces? Really? Non-issue for me.   A reviewer from North Carolina Easy Sewing Great little machine, the only reason I did not give it 5 stars is that it does not have a light. It's plain, simple and easy to use that I had it threaded and running in less than 5 minutes. It has only one speed - slooww. Which is perfect more me. I do not need the fancy stuff. One suggestion when you buy this machine make sure to get extra bobbins at the same time as it only comes with 3 which is not enough if you will be useing more than 3 colors of thread.   A reviewer from Bloomington, IL Great little machine!!!!!!! This was an early anniversary present from my hubby. We have just recently moved and everything in my sewing and craft room is still in boxes. I have 2 regular sized machines, but they are not easy to get at right now. After using this little Janome...who cares where my other machines are! I love this one! I've been sewing for over 50 years and this one is perfect and suits all my needs!!! Way to go, Janome!   Renee from River Falls, WI Great machine for Granddaughter I bought this machine for my granddaughter who is just 6. She loves to sew on my "big" Janome but I was afraid that it was to fast for her. This machine is PERFECT. It's geared much slower, but is powerful enough to go thru several layers of fabric and the stitches are even and nice. So glad that I bought her a real machine and not a toy that only does chain stitches.   A reviewer from kansas not good for a beginner I bought this for my daughter to start sewing. Does it work? Yes. But there is no light, no lines for 1/2 in 3/8 or 5/8 and the stitches are horribly small. Even the basting stitch is too close together. I'm disappointed because I bought because of good reviews.   StarlightScrapper from CT PERFECT small machine! I am using this for scrapbooking and card making and it is absolutely perfect! Solid build and quality is same level as my big Janome machine! Highly recommend it!   A reviewer from LEXINGTON, SC EXCELLENT!!! THIS PRODUCT IS EXCELLENT FOR A BEGINNER!!!! I DID NOT KNOW HOW TO OPERATE A SEWING MACHINE AT ALL 2 MONTHS AGO. NOW I AM SEWING UP A STORM AND READY TO GET A BIGGER MACHINE!!   A reviewer from Helena, MT Perfect for a beginning student I bought this for my 12 year old son for Christmas. He has done really well with it, as it is not intimidating. as his first project, he made an organizer bag to keep his sewing supplies in, that ties to the end of his bed. He then made a fleece hat and flannel pajama pants.   A reviewer from Dallas TX Perfect Machine I took the plunge and am so glad I did. I have sewn hours and hours and have not had any trouble at all. It is what it says it is....it's not a toy, it's not something that should be used for teaching. This is not a stand alone machine as it has no bells and whistles but it is super for quilt piecing, deco projects. It weighs almost nothing and is so easy to travel with. I am thrilled with my purchase. The ONLY drawback I can see is that it does lack a light, which would be nice.   A reviewer from Missouri every home should have one This little machine should be in every home. It is just right for mending a seam, simple sewing and beginner sewing. It is so light, you can lift it with one hand. It tucks away in a small space, I keep it in the kitchen cabinet with a few colors of thread handy. The only thing I wish it had was a light. I will use it to introduce my children to sewing, it is one speed and not too fast, just right. Drop in bobbin is really nice. Very easy to thread, good basic instruction manual.   A reviewer from Henderson NV Great starter machine for any age. Santa brought this little machine to my granddaughter so I could teach her to sew, and it was perfect for the job. She is nine & had no trouble learning how to operate it, including threading it & winding the bobbin. I was very happy with the results. Just the right speed.   A reviewer from Kinderhook, New York Great little machine I don't know how to sew, and my six-year-old daughter really wanted to learn. This machine cost less than the children's machines, was reviewed favorably by experienced sewers and recommended for beginners. I was delighted to find that it is easy to set up and easy to use. We love this machine. We even made a "quilted" pillow on Christmas morning.   midwestmama from Marion, IA It is a real value for a sewer wanting to do very basic sewing The slow sewing speed could be frustrating to an experienced sewer, but is perfect for someone unused to controlling fabric as it feeds through a machine. I was impressed with the stitches and performance for the low price and the size of the machine. It is a mini machine good for a crafter/scrapbooker and very novice sewer. Be aware that it has no light and no on/off switch.   Sharon Whitson from Kingsport,TN Great Product I love this machine. It is a perfect size to take anywhere i want to go. I enjoy using the sewing machine when working on my art work and this little guy has been a valuable part of that. Thank You Janome for a big machine in a little machines body!!!!!!!!!!   TwoWildflowers from Northern California Great for sewing with kids! I am a professional home economist and sewing instructor. I purchased this machine since I have 2 grand girls! I sew their doll clothes and cute projects on this machine. (see our last one: http://twowildflowers.typepad.com/two_wildflowers/2009/05/grandma-what-are-we-going-to-make-today.html) It works great for simple projects and I would recommend it for 8-12 yr olds for sure. It only has one foot, but I have discovered one can use other Janome feet if you use the ankle and foot portion of your regualar Janome machine. I also have a picture of how this machine compares in size to a regular size machine. Click on the picture to see it larger: http://twowildflowers.typepad.com/two_wildflowers/2008/02/my-fun-new-toy.html Remember it does sew slow, it is limited to not too many (thick) fabric layers, and you need a bright light since it does not come with its own light (Janome had to cut cost someplace). It does take standard size machine needles, bobbins (Janome) and spools of thread.   dudettegirl from SF, CA beginner machine I LOVED the size and weight for travel.   A reviewer from Tupelo, MS Perfect Beginner Machine!!! I am a beginner sewer and love this machine.   A reviewer from John Day, OR Great Little Machine For the money and size, this machine does a great job. Right out of the box, the stitches were perfect. Great machine for those little hands just learning to sew. Can't wait to take it on a trip. Very light weight. Would recommend.   A reviewer from Dexter, MO I Am Amazed! Every Quilter should own one! I bought the Janome Sew Mini because I wanted a machine to carry to our second home. My regular sewing machine was too heavy to fool with. I researched and decided to purchase the Janome Sew Mini because it truly performs like a regular-sized machine, but just smaller and lighter. I brought it home and was thoroughly delighted at the quality of this little gem. Every quilter should own one because it will do everything you need and be super portable. It is so cute!!! And it WORKS!!   A reviewer from Tennessee Excellent first sewing machine for beginner I had never used a sewing machine when I got my Janome Sew Mini. It is easy to learn and use. It is somewhat limited, which is understandable as it's a "mini" sewing machine. I would highly recommend it as a simple, easy-to-learn and use machine.   A reviewer from McAllen, Texas Perfect in a small rv This sewing machine is the perfect answer for my desire to make comfort quilts and to mend items while traveling. I give it 5 stars because it is: compact, light weight, and a real machine! Way to go Janome!   A reviewer from Fort Worth,TX just perfect I wanted to get my daughter a sewing machine for Christmas.We originally purchased on of those battery operated chain stitch machines which was a joke! found this online for 1/2 price 2 days later and it is just perfect!