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Should Buy a Mechanical or Computerized Sewing Machine?

If you are new to this field, you may be in doubt of sewing machine type and have no ideas about the different between mechanical and computerized sewing machine. 

Simply, the main difference is the computerized sewing machine run much more smoothly and quietly than the mechanical one. Needless to say, there are lots of handy features that the computerized units can perform.

Basically, the mechanical sewing machines controlled by a rotary wheel and available at market place ever since 1800. These machines have knobs and dials to make changes in the tension or the length or width of the stitch. 

The famous manufacturer, Singer, had been monopoly this industry once upon a time. My mother also own one Singer unit when I was young. Now, it becomes an antique at home. 

I don’t sure it still functioning or not. Perhaps I should test it when I go back hometown to visit my parent. Sorry about the tangent.

Before computerized sewing machines available at market place, the pioneer manufacturers such as Singer, Elna, Janome are introduced electronic sewing machines around year 1970. 

As its name implies, this kind of device equipped with a motor, each one is assigned with a specific task and run by electricity. Instead of turning knobs or dials, it use button to adjust length or width of the stitch which is common feature that you can found in almost all computerized sewing machines.

The computerized sewing machines equipped with the similar chips and stepper motors that commonly exist in electronic units. If you saw a sewing machine comes with a LCD display screen, then it is computerized one. 

It posses a lot of convenience features that benefits all sewers. Some of advance models such as Singer CD-200 even have built in microprocessor which helps the machine accept new information via a SD card and generate new stitching patterns based on the information loaded inside the card.

Back to the question: which type of sewing machine should buy? I personally suggested computerized sewing machine. You probably may argue that you just want to use it to sew over any fabric and does not require embroidery functions. You might also worry that computerized one could not last as long as mechanical unit. Some even concern about the repair cost.

Although it is the fact that some of old aged mechanical sewing machines are still functioning. But, do you really want to carry a machine for more than ten years with today advances technology? You might have excellent sewing skills, but don’t you think that you still benefit a lot in term of productivity if you choose computerized one? Unless you treat your sewing machine like pearl necklace and plan to hand down to your grand-kids, else I totally cannot see any realistic reason you want to keep your mechanical unit instead of upgrade it to computerized unit.

Simply, think about what you want to do or you been plan to do but your old unit cannot fulfill you. If you are beginner, a computerized sewing machine definitely could help you a lot especially in certain stitch patterns. If you own a mechanical unit and considering trade-in and replace by computerized sewing machine, I’ll tell you that is a smart decision and you’ll never regret.

Janome 8077Review

At the first glance, the Janome 8077 computerized sewing machine has a nice and clean control panel. People normally will be surprised when they start realize that this Janome sewing machine has quite a lot of sewer friendly features that are usually found only in much more expensive units. Those easy-to-use functions make it be one of popular computerized sewing machine for beginner.

With dimension 16”L x 11”W x 7”D and weight 18.2 lbs, it is portable and you are free to carry it to your sewing class or any place you want with its built-in carry handle. 

Better still, this sturdy Janome sewing machine is designed to handle sheer fabrics as well as heavy-weight fabrics. Users are easily selecting their desired stitches or adjust its width and length via the Front Stitch Panel and LED Screen.

There are total 30 built-in stitches for users to choose from including 6 One-Step buttonholes which sew a buttonhole exactly according to the button size. With Janome 8077, users no more straining their eyes as this free arm sewing machine equipped with automatic needle threader function.

It also comes with 7 Feed Teeth Box feeding system and drop feed function. The manufacturer giving 20 years warranty on parts, 2 years on electrical, 1 year on labor and might be voided due to certain activities.

Janome 8077Highlight Features

Handy Control Buttons

As the picture shown, there is few control buttons located at the left handed-side of this Janome sewing machine. From top to bottom, there are

Needle Up/Down: Users are allowed the position of needle either stops in the up or down position; which is useful feature for sewing tight corners

Pattern Stop: this auto lock button manages to take care of tying     off stitches.

Reverse: Use it as and when needed.

Start/Stop: no longer foot control; simply push this button to     start any sewing tasks

As a computerized sewing machine for beginner, the Janome 8077 is equipped with speed control slider conveniently located for sewing pleasure. So users especially those novices could reduce the sewing speed with a slide of this button to ensure the electric equipment running under that particular limit.

30 Built-In Stitches

The Janome 8077 has 30 well thought out stitches which include 6 One-Step Buttonholes; they are round end, keyhole, stretch, square, knit  and antique buttonhole. The bright LED screen will display the selected stitch number together with number of width and length. 

So, users just need to choose their favorite stitches as well as stitch width and length by pressing the plus or minus buttons and take a look at the LED screen. This is another great feature for beginners.

The Janome 8077 comes with 7 Feed Teeth Box Feeding System means that 7 point contact in a box rotation pattern for extremely consistent fabric movement. It allows users to sew any type of material from the lightest weight fabric to heavy fabric.

Wondering how the Automatic Needle Threader works? I happen to see a demo during their product show few weeks ago.

Just pull down the needle threader, put thread in the hook and in front of the needle, pull back and the needle is threaded. 

Better still; the bobbin cover is see-through so users always have an idea about how much thread they have left or nearly running out of thread.

Another great feature for beginners is that the Janome 8077 is jam proof in case any they sew off the edge of fabric. 

Furthermore, its drop-feed system allows for free motion quilting, free motion embroidery, darning, and button attachment. 

To make your sewing enjoyable, this computerized sewing machine also equipped with precision tension dial for users to set tension they want and the tension stays there.

Janome 8077 Pros and Cons

The Janome 8077 is lightweight sewing machine and easy for carry around. Those satisfy users normally comment that it is well worth the price and their favorite features include automatic needle up and down function, clear bobbin plate, speed control slider and easy to thread.

Having said that, there are certain users feedbacks that the decorative stitches are not much and there is no cover included with the package. Some other said that its user manual does not cover all features is detail and diagrams are difficult to read.