skip to main content

If you were looking for a 2nd machine for classes & sew alongs

10 years ago

What do you know about the Janome 8077?

My one and only concern is that it won't sew over seams smoothly. My last machine, a cheap Janome, sewed a perfect stitch as long as it was on a flat piece of fabric. But going over the seams of block pieces made it veer off course or stitch in place because it couldn't go over. And I'm talking about sewing 2 flying guess blocks together.

This post was edited by marti8a on Fri, Jun 21, 13 at 21:53

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

msmeow
10 years ago
Marti, I don't know anything about the Janome you're looking at, but I have a Brother CS6000i I got from Overstock.com for less than $200. It weighs about 12 pounds. It is wonderful! It has about 70 stitches including buttonholes and sews like a dream. I am very happy with it!

Donna
calliope
10 years ago
I also use a cheap brother as a back-up machine and also very happy with it. It's an older one, however, and I don't know if they still make them as rugged or not. Evidently so. It's the one I keep a quilting foot on and doesn't miss a lick going over the seams.
Related Discussions
Am I assuming too much from a case 44x class machine ?
Q
Comments (6)
If the dump trucks are tri-axle's, then each of them could be carrying 20 cubic yards of soil, depending on the soil type. That translates into 300 cubic yards of material that could weigh 450 tons. Trying to push that much dirt any distance with an 800 pound garden tractor, regardless of brand, is going to be difficult and very time consuming. As larsol mentioned, a skid-steer loader will lift and carry all fifteen loads to where you want it in a single day. I suggest that you rent one or if you don't know how to run one, then hire an experienced operator with his own machine. Every machine made comes with its own set of limitations. It's not that a Case 400 series isn't a capable machine. It's just the wrong machine for the task. Even the skid-steer is a bit of compromise but it will do the job. A 450 Case, 450 Deere or D-4 Cat bulldozer would be more appropriate and likely faster at levelling and grading if you position the truck loads properly. A dozer is perfectly safe to use on your tile field. It will also pop stumps out of the ground and push those pesky boulders into the back acreage. And if you want the boulders buried, a good operator can do that for you too. Too bad you don't need 100 loads or so because when it's difficult to find places to dump, most contractors are happy to put a blade onto a dump site in exchange for having a place to dump close to where they are excavating. For 15 loads, it doesn't pay but talk to the guy, he may know of someone with a machine to take care of this. Where you need the Case is AFTER the dirt has been spread out. If you intend to seed or lay sod, the Case with a three-point hitch and York Rake can save you a huge amount of time and will aid you in the fine grading/levelling. Your friend wasn't telling you that the Case is no good. He was just telling you that it isn't big enough for the task at hand.
...See More
Need sewing machine advice please
Q
Comments (20)
I always research before I buy too. When I was getting ready to buy my embroidery machine I saw the Brothers in WalMart much cheaper than the older model Brother I wanted to buy. At the same time DH was looking for a small riding lawn mower. John Deere is popular here and are sold all over, but like the Brother machines, the prices, and the warranty vary. We found out that many of the internal components in inexpensive machines aren't replaceable, and are made with cheaper materials. Even though they carry the name they are sold as 'throw aways' and don't last as long as the higher end machines. I have read so many complaints about the WalMart Brother machines and my older, but higher end model works great. So I would ask questions and research any prodeuct you buy. $300 may not be a lot of money to some, but it is if it only lasts a few months!!! Rosa
...See More
Sewing Machine Scam
Q
Comments (7)
OK, not 15 minutes after my original post, I was FINALLY able to get through to the Singer Consumer Affairs desk. The district manager of the store that hosted the sale had emailed Singer about my situation. As a result, a Singer Consumer Affairs rep had called me twice this week. I was unavailable both times, but have spent hours today trying to return the calls. The Singer rep listened to my story, and said it lined up with the email she had received from the store district manager. She told me it was not a scam, that Singer wanted to make things right and that she had permission from her manager to offer me an upgraded machine (a CG 550). I was a little leery of her offer ---- after all, I know nothing about sewing machines. (We may as well be dealing in airplane parts here!) She led me to their website and to the photo and specs on the CG 550. She seemed sincere in saying it was a true upgrade and not "a pig in a poke." All I need to do is fax her my receipt and she will mail me a label to slap on that old machine for return. The new machine will be sent to me next week. Since there was no hope of a refund, I took her offer. I hope this ends this little chapter in my sew-sew life. But I still stand by my recommendation to avoid this kind of too-good-to-be-true purchase.
...See More
Old sewing machines?
Q
Comments (12)
For a home machine, the Bernina is about the best you can get, although I am more familiar with the 830 model than the 614. No problem finding parts for the Bernina 830, but the resale value is high, and so you won't find them for that cheap. I've used industrial machines also, and they go extremely fast, which is good if you are very accurate, but it is also very easy to make a bad seam that will have to be taken out and resewn - not an acceptable thing if you are sewing leather. I have a Viking/Huskvarna machine that I bought new about 15 years ago, and it is almost as good as the Bernina. Best to avoid any machine that has a computer in it, as those are very expensive to repair and become obsolete very quickly. The Bernina and Huskvarna are both good at sewing leather, but you have to see the needles made for leather.
...See More
jennifer_in_va
10 years ago
I have a Janome 8080 that was my dream machine and I used it for everything! A year or two ago, I was having some minor troubles with it, and bought a 8077 as my 'backup' machine. The 8077 has now become my everyday machine. I use it all the time.

I like it very much. I've had no trouble with going over seams, and it takes all the same feet as the other one. I've just used the walking foot on it for my mini quilts, with layers of fabric, batting and bindings with not difficulties.

Everyone has their favorite machine brand. Mine happens to be Janome. But personal experience with this machine, I can say it sews very well. (it was a bit noisier than the 8080, but nothing you don't get used to). I got mine at a great rate from Kens Sewing Center in MS.
vacuumfreak
10 years ago
Marti,

I know that Janome machines have a great reputation for being workhorses, but allow me to put in a plug for the Brother PC 420.

I've had this machine for several years and the value for the money is simply astounding. I paid 500 for mine, but on Amazon, they are only 400 now and it gets mostly 5 star reviews. For that price, you get a knee lifter, push button thread trimmer, adjustable presser foot pressure, one touch automatic needle threader that works the first time every time (and doesn't require two hands to operate), needle up down, push button stop start, a sliding speed control that can also be set to be the stitch width control. Brother has even put some really cool small details into this machine, for example there is a ridge on the top of the hand wheel so you always know when your needle is in the highest position, and the buttons you use most frequently are covered in clear acrylic so that the graphic doesn't wear off over time. It is a little heaver than the really basic machines, but that is because it has a metal frame... many of the cheaper machines (especially Brothers) have plastic veins inside for support instead of a metal frame.... that makes it lighter, but they can break over time.

This machine also comes with a walking foot, free motion/embroidery foot, zipper foot, button attaching foot, button hole foot, open toe foot, regular foot, teflon foot, and a few others that I can't remember. It also monograms.... it is truly remarkable for the price. Super easy to thread and change bobbins on and you don't have to raise the bobbin thread to begin sewing.

It comes with a hard plastic cover and nice carrying handle for transporting to class... I've taken it to quilting classes and to sit and sews and it was really easy to transport. It sews well and isn't picky about thread. The needle does make a "different sound" when it hits a seam, but it goes over it with no problem. Sometimes, the presser foot will push a seam the other way when I go over it, even if I've ironed it down, but if I raise the foot and allow the seam to go under the front of it, it's not a problem.

I can't sing its praises loudly enough! I'll link to the Amazon page below so you can see the reviews...

Here is a link that might be useful: Brother PC 420
User
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you all, and especially Jennifer for direct experience with this machine. The reason I wanted to get a Janome is I had a New Home and already have several Janome feet, walking foot, quarter foot, etc. I liked my 30 year old New Home but according to the repairman, it wasn't worth repairing. I bought a really cheap Janome at the quilt store on their recommendation and it was horrible.
calliope
10 years ago
I look with jaundiced eye (or maybe should say listen with jaundiced ear) to lots of advice about stuff not being worth it to fix. They just simply do not make much of ANYTHING like they used to make it. An older machine will run for half a century, with all metal everythings and there are slews of parts to be had on old machine sites or ebay if one needs fixed. My son just repaired his wife's mother's machine which was made circa 1960s and had sentimental value to her. I suspect it'll run for another fifty years.

Related Stories

VINTAGE STYLE Antique Sewing Machines: Tailor Made for Nostalgic Decor

By Tiffany Carboni

In full-on vintage rooms or contrasting modern looks, old sewing machines and tables are stirring up the past in a most stylish way

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 6 Driveway Looks Take Landscapes Along for the Ride

See how to design a front yard that makes your driveway its own destination

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Get Along With Less Lawn — Ideas to Save Water and Effort

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Ditch the mower and lower your water bill while creating a feast for the eyes with diverse plantings and gathering places

LIFE How to Get Along With the Neighbors — and Live Happier at Home

By Laura Gaskill

Everyone wins when neighbors treat one another with kindness, consideration and respect

RUSTIC STYLE Houzz Tour: A Fly Fisher’s Dream Along the Yellowstone River

By Becky Harris

This new home combines local ranch style with contemporary elements, including energy efficiency

FUN HOUZZ Survey Says: We’re Scared of Being Home Alone — and Spiders

By Mitchell Parker

A new Houzz survey reveals that most of us get spooked in an empty house. Find out what’s causing the heebie-jeebies

STUDIOS AND WORKSHOPS A Stitch in Time: Creative Sewing Spaces

By Susan Redman

Sewing rooms have become popular again as people of all ages embrace simple crafts they can do at home

DECORATING GUIDES 1 Chair + 2 Fabric Patterns = 1 Fabulous Look

By Lisa Frederick

Pair two contrasting fabrics on an upholstered chair to bring edge and an element of the unexpected to your interior decorating

WINDOW TREATMENTS The Key to Designer-Look Window Treatments

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Learn the one thing that will make your curtains suffer if you get it wrong — and how to get it right

DIY PROJECTS Make a Gorgeous (Cheap!) Pillow Using Vintage Clothes

By Shelly Miller Leer

With secondhand fabric and a steady hand on the sewing machine, your pillow choices are endless

Sponsored

Snider & Metcalf Interior Design, LTD

23 Reviews

Leading Interior Designers in Columbus, Ohio & Ponte Vedra, Florida

More Discussions

I’m a bit anxious

18

Sharon, tutor me....

3

And another one……..

6

6

Well, it's finished, and my husband loves it

3