Janome MOD-200 Computerized Sewing Machine Reviewed & Rated

Janome’s MOD line consists of a range of basic computerized sewing machines, from the budget priced MOD-11 to the deluxe MOD-200. Though all are well made, some are a better value than others. Where does the Janome MOD-200 stand? We’ll tell you that, and more.

About Janome and the Janome MOD-200

Janome has been synonymous with innovation in home sewing for more than one hundred years. Their machines have been sold under the company’s own name, as well as under the names Necchi, Elna, and New Home.

The name Janome means “snake eye” in Japanese. The company formally adopted the name in 1935 in honor of the round, or snake eye bobbin that the company pioneered. (Before that, sewing machines used a shuttle shaped bobbin). ^[1]

Some of Janome’s other innovations have included the first longarm quilting machine for home users, one of the first programmable computerized sewing machines, and a professional quality domestic embroidery machine.

Today Janome makes a variety of equipment for home sewists, quilters, and machine embroidery enthusiasts. Their machines have a reputation for ease of use and quality build.

The Janome MOD-200 is a mid-level computerized sewing machine with an excellent assortment of features.

Who is the Janome MOD-200 For?

The Janome MOD-200 is suitable for a wide variety of sewists.

Learners will love this model’s ease of use. It has a few more controls than the lower models in the series, but those controls are still intuitive. It’s not difficult to figure out what each of the buttons does, and though a learner might have to spend a short time with the manual to take advantage of all of this machine’s functions, even a new sewist should be up and stitching very quickly.

This could also make a great choice for intermediate and regular home sewists. The MOD-200 has some extra features over and above the basics, including uppercase and lowercase sewing alphabets. You can also create custom sequences of stitches and / or letters, and save them to your machine’s memory for future use.

This model’s ease of use means that the MOD-200 is simple enough for a learner. At the same time, its expanded features mean that for higher level users, it could be the only sewing machine you’ll ever need.

How does the Janome MOD-200 Stand Out?

The Janome MOD-200 stands out from more basic computerized machines by dint of its extra features, including:

• Uppercase and lowercase sewing alphabets
• Stitch combination and sequencing
• On-machine memory for your favorites

It also has a lightweight aluminum internal frame. An all-metal internal frame adds stability and durability without adding unnecessary weight. At just 12 pounds, the Janome MOD-200 is light enough for most sewists to move about easily, and could be a great choice to bring to classes and meetups.

The Janome MOD-200 also comes with its own hard protective case. This is a bigger deal than you might think. First, a lot of sewing machines come with a soft dust cover or no protective case at all. Second, a hard case can be ridiculously expensive when purchased on its own. So this makes the MOD-200 even better value for money.

And speaking of value for money, we found the Janome MOD-200 at a jaw-droppingly wide range of prices, from below the average for this type of machine to significantly above average.

At the lower end of the price range, the Janome MOD-200 is an outstanding value. Even in the middle of the range, it’s still in line with the market for an intermediate computerized sewing machine. So do your research; chances are, you’ll find an excellent bargain.

Janome MOD-200 Pros and Cons

How to Pick a Great Computerized Sewing Machine

When someone says a machine has “great features,” what do they really mean? The answer can be different depending on the type of machine you’re looking at. Here are a few of our must haves, when it comes to a mid-level computerized sewing machine.

Stitch Library

A computerized sewing machine’s onboard computer means a larger stitch library than a mechanical machine can host, and the libraries of some machines are indeed enormous.

At the intermediate level, look for a few hundred distinct stitch designs, which should include all of the essentials (straight stitch, zig zag stitch, blind hem stitch, overcasting stitch, stretch stitch) plus a decent assortment of decorative stitches. You might even find some special stitch types like eyelets or a darning program.

Buttonholes

A mechanical sewing machine has a single buttonhole, either one-step or four-step. Computerized sewing machines typically have several variations on a one-step buttonhole. At the intermediate level, look for about a dozen.

Sewing Alphabets

Many intermediate and advanced computerized machines have at least one sewing alphabet. This is a set of alphanumeric stitches, where each letter (or number) is a single stitch. Generally, you’ll find a single Latin alphabet, possibly with some European characters. Some machines may also have other alphabets, for example Cyrillic or Japanese.

Stitch Sequencing and Memory

Most advanced computerized machines, and some intermediate ones, allow you to combine stitches and / or letters into custom sequences, which you can save to your machine to use over and over again.

Enhanced Stitch Editing

Most advanced computerized sewing machines and a very few intermediate ones allow you to adjust stitches beyond length and width. You might be able to elongate designs without distorting them, for example. You might even be able to stitch in mirror image.

Fabric Feed Features

Most intermediate computerized sewing machines have a drop feed. A drop feed lever allows you to “drop” the feed dogs out of the way so that they don’t interact with your fabric.

For most types of sewing, the feed dogs are an advantage. They move the fabric through the machine at an even pace and a single direction, keeping your stitches even and uniform. For other types of sewing, though, like free motion quilting, you may want to move your fabric in a different direction or at a different pace. A drop feed allows you to do that.

You might also find seven piece feed dogs (as opposed to four- or five-point feed dogs) at this level. Seven piece feed dogs provide more points of contact with the fabric, which gives you more control over that fabric during sewing.

Push-Button and Programmable Features

An onboard computer means that there are more functions and features at your fingertips. Some that you might find at this level include:

• Thread cutting
• Making a lockstitch
• Tying off thread
• Setting the default needle position
• Machine start / stop

And more.

Features and Benefits of the Janome MOD-200

The Janome MOD-200 has all of the features that a home sewist needs. What do we mean, specifically? Check this out.

Generous Stitch Library

The Janome MOD-200 has 200 built-in stitch designs, which include all of the essentials, a great selection of decorative stitches, numerous image stitches, stipple stitches, plus an eyelet.

12 One-Step Buttonholes

The Janome MOD-200 has an even dozen buttonhole designs for all of your buttonholing needs.

Two Sewing Alphabets

The Janome MOD-200 has uppercase and lowercase Latin sewing alphabets.

Stitch Sequencing, Combination, and Memory

Create a custom sequence of stitches and / or letters and save them to your Janome MOD-200 for future use.

Free Arm

A free arm is a smaller, circular work area that lives beneath the base of many sewing machines. A free arm makes it easy to sew smaller, circular bits like collars, cuffs, and trouser legs. It also makes it easier to sew those hard to reach corners and curves. The Janome MOD-200 has a free arm.

Needle Threader

A needle threader makes quick work of threading your machine needle, and the Janome MOD-200 has one.

Aluminum Interior Frame

Once upon a time, almost every part of a sewing machine was made from metal. Over time, manufacturers have replaced many metal parts with plastic ones. This makes a machine lighter in weight, but can also harm durability and stability.

Some parts, like the internal frame, should never be plastic. And yet some machines do indeed have plastic internal frames. Not the Janome MOD-200. The Janome MOD-200 has an internal frame of lightweight aluminum, which means both stability and portability.

Drop Feed

The Janome MOD-200 has a drop feed, which can make it a good choice for free motion work and quilting.

Push-Button Lockstitch

The Janome MOD-200’s push-button lockstitch makes locking off your stitches as easy as pressing a button.

Hard Protective Case Included

As we mentioned, the Janome MOD-200 comes with its own hard protective case.

Alternatives to the Janome MOD-200

We think the Janome MOD-200 is an excellent machine and potentially an excellent value. But there are lots of intermediate computerized sewing machines on the market. It’s possible that one of these competing models may fit your needs a bit better.

Singer Quantum Stylist 9960

Speaking of value for money, the Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 is an advanced machine that you can often find for the price of an intermediate machine. It costs a bit more than the lowest price we found for the Janome MOD-200, but significantly less than MOD-200’s top price.

It has a truly impressive assortment of features, including:

• 600 built-in stitch designs
• 13 one-step buttonholes
• 5 sewing alphabets, including Cyrillic
• Mirror image stitching
• Extension table included
• Excellent accessories pack

There’s a reason that this model is a longtime customer favorite. No, wait, there are at least six reasons.  If you’re looking for a machine that can do it all, or almost all, but won’t bust your wallet, the Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 could be an excellent option.

EverSewn Sparrow 30S

EverSewn is a new company based in Chicago. Although EverSewn was founded in the twenty-first century, it has ties to Bernina, and that means both quality and unique features you’d be hard pressed to find anywhere else. EverSewn makes a small range of easy to use, well built machines for beginning and intermediate crafters.

The EverSewn Sparrow 30S is its computerized model for intermediate users. Its features include:

• 310 built-in stitch designs
• Two sewing alphabets
• Push-button lockstitch
• Push-button thread cutting
• Twin needle
• Mirror image stitching
• Stitch combination and sequencing
• On-machine memory
• Adjustable presser foot pressure

Like the Singer 9960, the EverSewn Sparrow 30S packs a feature-filled punch. It costs about the same as the Janome MOD-200 at the lower end of the range, which makes it exceptional value for money.

Bernette B38

Bernette is a child brand of Bernina, and their machines share the same emphasis on innovation and quality build. The Bernette B38 is an intermediate to advanced computerized sewing machine with some of the best features we’ve ever seen. These include:

• 394 built-in stitch designs including two eyelets
• Eight one-step buttonholes
• Three sewing alphabets including Cyrillic
• Stitch sequencing, combination, and memory
• Push-button lockstitch
• Push-button thread cutting
• Adjustable presser foot pressure
• Twin needle safety features
• Included extension table

The Bernette B38 is a bit more expensive, as all Bernette machines are. This model falls in the middle of the price range at which we found the Janome MOD-200. All things considered, though, it would be difficult to beat it for features and value.

Should You Buy the Janome MOD-200?

If it ticks all your boxes, then absolutely.

We’ve seen the Janome MOD-200 for sale at a wide variety of prices. At the lower end of the range, the Janome MOD-200 is quite good value for money. Even in the middle of the range, it’s still in line with the market.

And speaking of features, the Janome MOD-200 has everything that a home sewist needs, plus a few fun extras like alphabet stitches, stitch combinations, and on-machine memory to save your favorite combinations. If that’s not enough, the MOD-200 comes with a hard protective case.

If the Janome MOD-200 fits your needs as a sewist, then it could be a great choice for your sewing room.

Have you used the Janome MOD-200? Tell us all about it in the comments!

1. Janome | Janome And The Snake Eye | https://janome.com.au/janome-and-the-snake-eye/