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Friday, November 01, 2013

Using my Janome 8900 QCP - 10 months later

One of the things that I really wanted this year was a newer, more up-to-date sewing machine.  Since I'm a Janome woman, I knew that I was going to purchase a new Janome.  Originally I was going to purchase the 7700 used or new because it was a step up from the 6600P that I was presently using.  I have no qualms about purchasing a used sewing machine because my Janome 8000 was purchased used and my Janome 6600P was also gifted to me used.




Over time I've figured out what I need in a sewing machine.  I love the top of the line sewing machines with all of the bells and whistles, embroidery modules, loads of stitch patterns, etc.  However, I don't NEED all of that. That is not how I sew. Plus since I haven't traded in a sewing machine, I still have embroidery capabilities with the Janome 8000 - not that I use them much!

Anyway, I headed off to the sewing machine dealer and ended up bringing home the 8900QCP because the dealer gave me a great price for the machine. Now that the machine has been home for 10 months, there are a few things I'm truly thankful for in this machine.




  • It is accurate.  Seriously.  It stops on a dime and then turns on that dime.
  • The reverse stitching is accurate.  It stitches into the same row of stitching that it started in.
  • Quiet...this is the quietest sewing machine that I've ever owned.  Everyone can tell upstairs when I'm operating the serger (that I also love!) but no one can tell when I'm stitching on my sewing machine.
  • Love, love, love that I don't have to push the needle from side to side.  The machine has a button that I push on the panel for the far right setting and the far left setting which is exactly 1/4" sewing.




Photo credit:  www.thestitcherymachine.co


  • The lighting on this machine is awesome because it's in all the spots that matter.
  • The wider opening can fit anything in it.  I know it was done for quilters but being able to get an entire dress, jacket or pair of pants in the opening works so well for me too!
  • I absolutely love the cutting function.  I don't use it at the end of every seam but when I'm in some hard to reach place, it's so kewl to be able to use the cutting button.  Not only does it cut the bobbin thread so that I don't have to trim it but the upper thread is cut about an inch long.  Not much to trim there either.
  • The manual is easy to read, follow and understand.
  • Learning how to monogram was easy when I used the manual and did the process step by step.

This is the first time in over 20 years that I've purchased a new sewing machine. I'm so thrilled that I did because this machine will grow with me into the next decade even though I'm secretly coveting the new Janome Horizon Memory Craft 15000.  

In my mind the next time I purchase a new sewing machine will be when I'm ready to retire.  My 8900QCP will be more than capable to do the job until then!

...as always more later!

44 comments:

  1. I am really happy to hear your comments on this machine. I have recently been looking at it and wondered what it was like, especially from a *real* sewer's point of view. I have had Brother's and Singer's in the past, but have just bought a Janome Overlocker and I LOVE IT. As a sewer and a quilter, I need the extra deep throat of this model, and some of the other functions are really just tempting me more and more!

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  2. Thanks for the review. I find that my machine (and I love it) is far more than I need. Because sewing garments I rarely need more than a straight stitch and variable needle positions. Glad you are still loving your machine. g

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  3. Good to read. I have the Janome 6600 and I am coveting the one you just bought mainly for the extra throat space as I also quilt. I have a special birthday coming up soon so I am hoping that will be my present.

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  4. I have the same machine as you, and it is a very, very nice machine. I wanted the 12000 (sewing/embroidery/quilting), but couldn't justify the price, and didn't want to go into debt LOL

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  5. Thanks for the review! You know me, I love me some sewing machine info. I am so in love with my Pfaff (that I also purchased used because they don't make 'em like that now) but it is starting to have A LOT of hours on it.

    Part of me wants my Pfaff to last forever, but part of me wants to shop for sewing machines! It is an affliction, I tell you!

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  6. Sounds like the dream machine, Carolyn!

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  7. Thanks for your review! I'm in the market for a new machine and my machine is a Singer Featherweight! It has gone to the doctor and a friend of mine loaned me her Janome, which i love! But, I've also used Bernina and Viking! What's a girl to do?

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  8. I have a Brother ULT 2001 which has embroidery capability. However, now that my grandchildren are older, I hardly ever use it. I doubt I would get it in a new machine. I have never used a Janome but everyone I know who has one is exceptionally pleased with it. I dream of a Bernina but doubt it will ever come to be. I had a 1630 once that would sew such a straight line so well that you did not need to hold the fabric and it had a beautiful feather stitch, which I do use. Congratulations on the new machine and many happy hours of sewing with it.

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  9. I also planned to buy this machine. But I need to save money for that ! Just bought a coverstich machine two days ago! Now I need to change my old Janome. Happy to see that you are satisfied

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  10. I also have a quilting machine- Viking Sapphire- that has an extra long bed. I love the extra room! I never thought I needed it until I had it. It is great for sewing bulky garments and just getting fabric out of the way. I will never use some of the quilting stuff, but it is a great machine with features for garment sewers. I would suggest anyone who sews garments should look at quilting machines. They have features you don't know you need!

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  11. Love sewing machines and have considered this one, thanks for the review!

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  12. I'm with you on this sewing machine as I have the exact same model and it's totally a dream machine. I used mine this morning to sew a vest for my course and I just love how it sews button holes and how it sews the buttons on... no hand sewing needed YEAH! Oh and the other feature I really can't live without is the automatic thread cutter... oh and the automatic tension... geez I could just go on and on with what I love about this machine. It will definitely be staying in my sewing room for many many years to come :)

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  13. I am a Janome women as well and looking to upgrade my machine that for the reveiw.

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  14. Thank you for such a wonderful review on the Janome 8900. I used to own the Janome 6600 but didn't like it much for quilting. I just ordered my Janome 8900 today and hope that I am as happy with it as you have been with yours. I am a diehard quilter so I plan on putting this puppy to work! Her name is going to be Eleanor. Might as well make it personal because we will definitely BOND!

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  15. Hi, Carolyn -

    This looks like this is my day for catching up on your older blogs. I'm glad to know you are so happy with your Janome 8900 QCP. I review lots and lots of sewing machines and sergers and find that Janome consistently stands heads above all of the other new machines out there right now. http://www.sewinginsight.com/janome-embroidery-and-sewing-machine-reviews/

    Just about every sewing machine or serger works great right out of the box. The real story is told after they have been in use under normal conditions for a while. I'd like to know if you are still this happy with it after a couple of years.

    Thank you for sharing and... happy stitching.

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  16. I am not happy with my Horizon 8900, it is not a good machine, sometimes it works, then the. Stitches go funny again. I have less expensive machines from Janome and they work without fail. I would not advise anyone to purchase this model. I gave been sewing for over 50 years and never had a machine that I dislike as much as the Horizon .

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    1. Hi Etta, did you get this issue fixed under warranty?

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  17. I just found your blog today while researching machines. I was able to sew on one of these at a quilt show recently and it was instant love! Now you've owned this for almost 2 years, are you still in love with it?

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    1. I love my sewing machine! It does everything I need and I only sew garments not quilts. I would highly recommend purchasing one if you're thinking about it.

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    2. Hi Carolyn, Can you tell me how much you paid and did you get extended warranty?
      Still love it?

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    3. Viddy - no I didn't buy the extended warranty. After my one incident where the dealer was so helpful over the phone - I haven't had any other challenges. Finally, yes I still love sewing with this amazing machine!

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    4. Hello Carolyn, I've been a silent follower for some time, love your recent maxi dresses. Coming out of lurking to ask you for a dealer recommendation. I've just moved to New Jersey. Can you recommend anyone?

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    5. Elle - I bought mine at American Sew & Vac in Princeton. Hope that helps!

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  18. I am looking at purchasing the Janome 8900 QCP Special Edition, I am an avid quilter. Presently have a Singer Futura 400xl, that sews and embroidery. But found I do not use embroidery much at all and do more applique on my quilts. I looking for some features that my singer has and more. Do you still advise on getting the 8900?

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    1. Yes and would happily endorse purchasing the Special Edition because it comes with a couple of feet that the 8900 does not have. I like the feet so much that I'm thinking of making the hike to the sewing machine dealer to see if I can purchase them separately!

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  19. I also have the 8900 and love it, but do have a question. I learned to sew so very many years ago by positioning myself directly lined up with the needle of the machine. I've tried to use the knee lifter, but it seems much too far to my right -- I have to consciously shift my body to the right each time I use the knee lifter, which doesn't seem to save time or effort. Is there a sideways adjustment to the knee lifter? BTW, I'm not a tiny person at about 5' 8"... Thanks.

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  20. It is all true. I love big foot pedal. I have Janome 8900 QCP Special Edition. It has single stitch plate with 3 holes- new is left hole for FMQ.
    I miiss quick shortcut for zigzag stitich.
    My knee lifter hack:
    https://www.flickr.com/photos/130036277@N02/22436492268/in/photolist-AbCTtA-AQAbXV-AwZrCs

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  21. The knee lifter hack works a treat . Thank you.

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  22. Thank you for your review! I am looking at this machine. I currently have a Viking 500 that I have had since 1999. It still works like a dream, but only has a 7 1/2" bed, so it is very hard to use to machine quilt.

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  23. I have a janome 8900 and i find the reverse button really really hard to find, its under the slope of the machine, right next to two other buttons and i have to stop the machine and twist my head to look and find the reverse button before i can use it, which means taking my hands off the fabric and craning my neck every time, also on this machine there is no automatic bobbin rewind, my last machine did it automatically, on this one you have to use your foot to wind the bobbin and it is not always smooth and properly wound.

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  24. Mmm I have 8900 horizon and mine is easy to rewind. I use stop/go button. And it auto stop when full??? I love sewing on it and quilting. I do agree tho that buttons could be more conveniently placed. I truly enjoy the machine. I guess if I used pedal it would be more of a inconvenience on bobbin rewind. Nancy Notions has a bobbin winder that runs both on battery as well as electric. Plan to buy since I do embroidery on my babylock as I am piecing quilt tops. Maybe you might want check it out. :)

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  25. I have the Janome 8900 horizon new edition and find it can not cope with bags I make using a heavy linen.i am thinking of going to the Janome 6600 any one else had this problem? I find it misses or makes a longer stitch or thick join areas.

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    1. I have just changed to the 6700 for the same reason. I sew a lot of heavy weight like linens and denim. The 8900 does not stitch over the many layer seams, missing stitches or refusing to go through the seam. The 6700 glides through as many layers as I throw at it with no skipped stitches.

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  26. Can you help me figure out how to use the stitch on my machine ( # 8 ) ? It is supposed to look like hand stitching .

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    1. Personally I would either check with my dealer or contact Janome directly for assistance with your sewing machine. The few challenges I've had, my sewing machine dealer was able to assist me.

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  27. I have same machine. You use foot pdh foot. Tension dial at 5 (dial at top left) and 1-3 on dial usually set at auto. Hope helps u. I found different wt. Thread can determine what set latter dial at. Hope helps. :)

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  28. Thanks for your review! This is very helpful. I'm seriously consider buying it but found there are two 8900 QCP model: one has "Special Edition" in the name and one without. I'm guessing the Special Edition one is newer but don't know the difference. Do you know?
    Thanks!

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  29. Great to read your review. About to buy one of these on the weekend at the quilting festival here in South Australia. So looking forward to my first new machine in 25 years! I am a quilter and I can't wait to test out all that extra space after my little 5" throat machine into which I managed to squeeze an 80" square quilt!

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  30. How do you think the 8900 compares to the 6600?

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  31. I purchased the MC8900QCP in early 2016 and sadly have had an ongoing problem with tension apparently. The needle doesn’t pick up the bobbin thread. This all started while the machine was in warranty and has continued. To complicate the issue, the store where I bought the machine has gone out of business. Not at all happy.

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    1. I have this exact same problem with my 8900 - I find I can only get consistent stitching when it's a straight stitch with the needle to the far left. Decorative stitches, zigzags, and free motion are all a bit of a mess. Super frustrating. I've called my dealer and they told me to make sure I was using only Janome brand plastic bobbins and purple needles. It helped for a bit, but now everything is back to being wonky. I'm constantly cleaning it and rethreading, am on the hunt for a solution.

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  32. Sorry to hear. I purchased 8900QCP New Horizon janome and have done numerous quilt projects for over yr now and have had absolutely no problems!

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  33. I am so sorry u having problems! I have mine 4 2 yrs now and have had No problems! I wish I could help u figure what going on with yours.

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