JanomeS5 Computerized Sewing Machine

I received my Janome Skyline S5 sewing machine on June 2, and I can’t say enough good things about it. First, it was easy to start sewing immediately. Has easy to follow instructions to thread, and since I have been making masks for last 2-3 months on my manual Janome HD3000, which I also love, I started sewing right away. It is such a joy to use It has 6 LED lights, 3 over the needle, which my 81 year old eyes love. It has auto thread cutter, lock stitch, and very easy to use computer screen. It is quieter than any other machine I have ever used. After I do my regular sewing, I have been trying different stitches and easy projects to test it. I made a pot holder with 5 layers, and it sewed through it without slowing down. I can’t wait to try quilting with it. The only problem I had is the stitches are all on the top that you lift up for threading. I have trouble reading the numbers for each stitch. I’ve memorized the ones I use daily, but the others are just too small. So I used my IPhone to take a picture of it and then I just make it larger and ta da, easy peasy! So problem solved. Did I mention it has a knee lifter. We have a ministry at church that makes bears for the ER at our local hospital. There is a lot of turning the fabric as I sew the bears. This machine has a needle up down feature, so I have the needle down, then use the knee lifter to lift the presser foot up a little so I can move the fabric and just keep sewing. It makes it so much faster. I also am learning to sew knits with some of the knit stitches. If you are ready to try a computerized machine, I would recommend this machine over some of the much higher priced ones.

I bought this machine 3 years ago. I spent a lot of time learning to use it. It kept looping thread on the back of the fabric, and I had to make constant adjustments to the tension. I concluded that the "auto" feature wasn't working, and when shops opened up again post-Covid, I would have to take it in for repair. I eventually discovered that I needed to use polyester thread. After making this discovery, I can use the "Auto" feature all the time, the bobbins wind beautifully, the decorative stitches are perfect, applique is a breeze. The needle threader works perfectly and is easy to use, which is important to me because I change thread colors a lot.I could really wish that I hadn't had to give away all of my cotton thread that I had been using for years. I could also wish that the manufacturer and all the videos that I watched had simply told me that I needed to use polyester thread. Other threads are likely to also work, but I have given up, and just use polyester because it works so well.Now, this is a "dream machine". It works wonderfully well and I very much enjoy sewing using it. I mostly use it to make quilts, but also enjoy smaller projects and applique. I can't speak to the buttonhole features as I don't sew garments.The photos show a sample of what this sewing machine can do, making pumpkin placemats for my grandchildren. This project uses applique in three different colors, stitch-in-the-ditch quilting using a 4th thread color, and straight sewing. The needle threading feature makes changing colors a breeze.

Love, love, love!! This sewing machine has become my gold standard. The features (thread cutter, up/down needle placement, stitch speed, and smooth, quiet operation to name a few) are a significant upgrade from my basic, low-end machine and I am still swooning. The machine comes with hundreds of stitches which will be adorable embellishments on the children's clothes I sew. There are seven additional feet that come standard as well as an optional knee control in lieu of a foot pedal. It comes with both a manual and a DVD to introduce all the features. Since this is a heavy, solid machine, I doubt it would be easily portable if you take your machine to sewing groups. As an experienced sewer, I am very impressed with this machine and I imagine that a beginner would love it as well although if I had started on a machine this incredible, I would be spoiled for life!

Love it! I've been a Janome fan since 2008 with the Heart Truth model, which I loved. I wanted to upgrade but didn't want to spend the money on a Memory Craft, since most of it I didn't think I'd use. I was looking for and found in this model: ability to get through multiple layers with ease, thread cutter, knee lift and more speed. This machine halves my quilting time. Not sure about the push button start/stop yet but it comes with a foot pedal, so no worries. Oh, and it's so much quieter than my old one. Check out all the levels of Skyline and see which one fits your budget.

I know some quilters have more expensive machines but I waited 15 years to finally feeling like I was ready for the expense and chose this machine. I am so thrilled with it and can't wait to learn all the things I can do with it. Well worth my money.