The Sewing Place

Janome XL601 - any good for a total newb?

Lulu

Janome XL601 - any good for a total newb?
« on: March 26, 2018, 19:36:59 PM »
The title says it all really..

I've been researching madly away and have kind of settled on this machine, as I'm looking for a good all-rounder that's future proof and as easy to use as possible.

That said I've never properly sewn before, so have no idea what I'm looking at!

I'm hoping to make clothes for my LO and myself, but don't want to rule out other project ideas either. I'm keen to try the freehand embroidery for adding some applique touches. Oh, and we're big denim lovers, so our machine must be able to cope with that!

Is this a good choice?

Efemera

Re: Janome XL601 - any good for a total newb?
« Reply #1 on: March 26, 2018, 19:50:08 PM »
I’ve never had a Janome sewing machine.. always had Pfaff so no idea really but lots of folks swear by Janome. The only thing I would say is you need a zig zag, a good buttonhole and a few utility stitches. There’s no need for dozens and dozens of fancy ones. Some would say a good second hand vintage one is just as good if not better.

Kad

Re: Janome XL601 - any good for a total newb?
« Reply #2 on: March 26, 2018, 19:51:11 PM »
My DD has the DXL603, think it's the next model up. She did textiles at A- level and really uses the machine at its limits -sews everything from denim to silk to newspaper  :S The machine has coped with everything so far and has been totally reliable so I say go for it. I've had Janome machine for the last 30 odd years and it's yet to let me down.
'Jill' of many aspects of sewing, "Mistress" of few.

Samantha

Re: Janome XL601 - any good for a total newb?
« Reply #3 on: March 26, 2018, 20:51:51 PM »
I think my sister has this one (it's definitely a Janome  :D) and is happy with it, seems to sew most things.

Marniesews

Re: Janome XL601 - any good for a total newb?
« Reply #4 on: March 26, 2018, 21:37:25 PM »
A zigzag is a good choice for a versatile machine.  I don't know this one offhand but I'm often shocked when I hear of budget models that don't give you the freedom to select the stitch length & width for all the stitches.  :angry:

Perhaps the sales pitch is it keeps the newbie in the right ballpark & removes the pressure of them having to select these every time themselves. That's just plain wrong on several levels.

Personally I'd say basics are:
* free stitch length & width control,
* feed dogs that can be moved up & down by the user,
* some good utility stitches,
* at least one decent buttonhole & not pre-set sizes (not necessarily 1-step either, the very best ones I have are 4-step & it's not rocket science),
* it doesn't creak & flex when you lift by the handle or elsewhere,
then it's worthy of consideration.

Desirables are:
* adjustable foot pressure (weight of the foot holding the fabric down)
* adjustable speed control (some have a switch on the foot pedal, some it's on the machine).

There are lots of other things that are nice to have but all the things  above will have an impact on the quality of your sewn items as a newbie and onwards.  :D

Have fun, we'll enjoy following how you go too. And help you if/when you need it of course.
Hopefully back more regularly! Ballroom sewing may be permanently paused but bag making is the current focus.

Bogwoppit

Re: Janome XL601 - any good for a total newb?
« Reply #5 on: March 26, 2018, 23:06:11 PM »
I've had a Janome XL601 for the past 4 years, started as a beginner.  It's coped with everything I've thrown at it so far (quilting, bag making, denim, liberty lawn, furnishing fabric with piping).   I've still to try free motion and I've only done a little bit of jersey fabrics.  I've certainly not outgrown it.

I suggest getting the walking foot, mine came as a special offer with other bits too.

Go have a test drive if you can.  That's what I did and decided I like the convenience of electronic and this was the top of my budget.

I need to go slow some of the times with thick seams but I suspect that's pretty common for most machines in the same price bracket.
Lurking in Lancashire, improving my sewing when life gives me time.

Lulu

Re: Janome XL601 - any good for a total newb?
« Reply #6 on: March 27, 2018, 00:23:48 AM »
Thank you all for your responses Efemera, Kad, Samantha, Marnie and Bogwoppit. This is certainly a very friendly and active forum, to get all these answers so quickly! And it sounds as though generally speaking I've not made a bad choice.
I've read lots of praise for the vintage machines Efemera, and it's certainly an attractive thought buying something that would last a lifetime! But the downside of these is probably the heavy weight? As I am hoping to take the machine to a class or two!
I've read the spec again Marnie, and I think it ticks most of your boxes - although it does have a one step button hole and I'm not sure if the sizes are pre-set for these (it says it comes with 3 'styles'?) I can send my local store a message to ask though, and  I will check out the creaking/flexing when we visit, hopefully this weekend!
Ah Bogwoppit, great to hear from an owner and thanks for the tip regarding the foot! I will ask if we can test drive this weekend. But it's fab to hear that you still have not needed to upgrade your machine.
Really looking forward to getting to know everybody and their projects over the coming months, and just can't wait to get started now

Iminei

Re: Janome XL601 - any good for a total newb?
« Reply #7 on: March 27, 2018, 08:08:55 AM »
Marnie makes some good points and I've just googled your choice which will be a good starter machine.

The thing that was essential for me when I bought my first machine (a Janome 525Sewist) was an auto needle threader as I'm gradually getting blinder and blinder as the age thing kicks in.... which I see this model has.

Looking at it I think you will be very happy with it the only thing I can't see is whether it has the adjustable foot pressure and whether the front of the machine (over the needle) can be opened.

My second Janome (4000) did not have either of these and I was pretty miffed as my cheaper first machine did and this one was twice the price!

Whether you find this machine fulfills all your needs for many years or want to upgrade after a while you will find Janomes keep their value well and you will easily be able to sell them on.

Enjoy, we look forward to reading about your progress and of course seeing pics of your makes!
The Imperfect Perfectionist sews again

Bogwoppit

Re: Janome XL601 - any good for a total newb?
« Reply #8 on: March 27, 2018, 08:20:22 AM »
You can change the foot pressure, although the dial is hidden  and doesn't have any markings. I used permanent marker so I knew where it was to start with before I fiddled with it.

Buttonholes can be done one step with the buttonhole foot or bit by bit manually.

I think you can download the manual from the janome site.
Lurking in Lancashire, improving my sewing when life gives me time.

Iminei

Re: Janome XL601 - any good for a total newb?
« Reply #9 on: March 27, 2018, 08:56:43 AM »
@Lulu

although it does have a one step button hole and I'm not sure if the sizes are pre-set for these (it says it comes with 3 'styles'?

Your machine will come with one of these....



It opens up and you put your button of choice in the gap at the back which tells 'the machine' how big to sew the buttonhole.

Sorry but Im not very eloquent today but it is pretty obvious how it works, although I find opening the thing up to be quite difficult

janome buttonhole tut

I find that if you have the speed limiter on a slow speed, detach the foot pedal and sew using the start button, ie you aren't doing anything with your hands or feet, the machine is sewing on its own ... they make very nice and neat buttonholes
The Imperfect Perfectionist sews again

Ellabella

Re: Janome XL601 - any good for a total newb?
« Reply #10 on: March 27, 2018, 14:22:26 PM »
@Iminei do you really find that slowing things down and using the stop/start button really makes a difference?

Must admit that it's something I'd never thought to try.

@Lulu I love my Janomes, at the moment I have 3.  I admire your thinking of buying the best you can afford rather that getting one of the cheap lightweight £99 jobbies that lots of places sell these days. You are looking at a machine that will last for a long time, not something that, should you enjoy sewing, you will grow out of in six months.

There is so much knowledge here that there are very few problems you won't find an answer to, we all learn from one another. 

Marniesews

Re: Janome XL601 - any good for a total newb?
« Reply #11 on: March 27, 2018, 15:36:09 PM »
... it does have a one step button hole and I'm not sure if the sizes are pre-set for these (it says it comes with 3 'styles'?) I can send my local store a message to ask though,
I've struggled to access their brochure (can't seem to download a free manual) but have now upgraded Adobe Flash & it works! This model has more features than I'd expect from many others in this price bracket. Janome do have a reputation for being high featured for the price so that's always attractive.  The brochure shows it has adjustable foot pressure (especially good for sewing knits) and a slider to adjust the speed (very newbie-friendly that  :D )  so it looks like you've got all the bases covered.  :)

The needle up/down and knee lift, whilst not essential are particularly nice to have so I think you'll really enjoy your experience with it. You may not even guess the thing you'll find you never want to be without again as, like Imi's needle threader, it may be on some people's 'nice to have' list but definitely on the 'must have' list for lots of others.

My comment about buttonholes is only because 1-step are often quoted as a very desirable feature but it's really only convenience and the best ones on my machines are the 4-step so I'd never reject a machine that didn't have 1-step. What's more, Imi has personal experience of this one so that's reassuring too.

Have fun!  :D

Hopefully back more regularly! Ballroom sewing may be permanently paused but bag making is the current focus.

Iminei

Re: Janome XL601 - any good for a total newb?
« Reply #12 on: March 27, 2018, 15:48:07 PM »
Certainly slowing right down is an amazing feature and I can achieve incredible detail going slow ....

this street scene of Blandford Forum is 9" x 4.5" and the pub sign, The Dolphin, is 3/8" x 6/8" and the sign is machine stitched, literally one tiny stitch at a time.



The Imperfect Perfectionist sews again

Lulu

Re: Janome XL601 - any good for a total newb?
« Reply #13 on: April 05, 2018, 13:32:31 PM »
Oh my gosh, @Iminei  your street scene is stunning. How amazing to be able to sew art!

@Ellabella  I do like to research before investing in a new gadget. It normally means that I end up spending more than I should for a load of features I probably don't need  :D But I'd rather do that, than buy something cheap which won't last.

Well, after everyone's words of encouragement, I was feeling very positive about buying XL601..so I went online to compare prices and then was offered a couple of deals by the British Sewing Centre for the next model up DXL603 (60 stitches) and one I hadn't even looked at, the TXL607 (400 stitches & top of the XL range).

I called our local sewing shop to compare prices, and the specialist there has called into question whether any of the Janome models mentioned above will be suitable, as they are so lightweight. He says they would struggle with several layers of denim as needed for the seams on jeans etc. He has suggested the cheaper CXL301, which is a heavier version of the 601, but missing a few accessories. (Hmm, I was beginning to fancy some extra decorative stitches).

Now I'm now getting rather tired and confused with it all  :S Going to the shop again today to hear their recommendations and actually try the machines.

@Bogwoppit  how does your machine handle double denim seams? (sorry, don't know the correct terminology!)

Thank you all again, and apologies, as this must be getting quite boring to hear about now!

Bogwoppit

Re: Janome XL601 - any good for a total newb?
« Reply #14 on: April 05, 2018, 20:41:59 PM »
It's ok for me as I don't do too many and take it slow. It's better with walking foot but if you are going to do a lot you might find it a bit tough. Sometimes I think it might be better of the foot lifted a little higher.

Maybe you could take some ready prepared test pieces to practice with on? Then you'll get to see the difference between the machines.

Lurking in Lancashire, improving my sewing when life gives me time.