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Lots of people have the Janome. Some love it, some like it, some hate it.
I'm in Canada so I can't buy a Janome but I did get a Pixie about a month ago and I like it. I've been using it quite a bit.
I will mention that I find the zigzag stitch too wide for card sewing (the scale is just wrong) so if you really want to do zigzag stitch and have a choice of machine to buy you might want to go for the Sew Mini.
Thank you, Kelly! I'm not sure, but it seems like the Pixie has more stitch options (and I love the color-not that that should be a reason to get it! ;) ). None of the zig zags works on cards?
Go to Stamptv and watch that videos on the Janome by Gina K before purchasing the Pixie. That what I did and found them to me very helpful in making my decision to go with the Janome Sew Mini. I followed each video to the T!!! Works like a charm and only weighs 5lbs. I store it in one of those Sterlite File folder holders with all of my threads in it too. Love it...Love it...Love it....Go check it out!!!
Thank you so much!!! That will be helpful. I love Gina K's videos.
Who has the best price on the Sew Mini? I've seen it for between $40-$50 at Overstock.com, but that's for a refurbished one & you have to pay shipping. I heard that Hancock Fabrics puts theirs on sale for about $40, but I haven't been lucky enough to catch it that low...yet.
You are very welcome. I got mine at Hancock Fabrics on sale for $39.99. I have never seen it any lower than that price. It was not refurbished. I just love it. Gina K is the best and she sold me on it once I watched her videos. It's on sale this week for $49.99. Here's the link: http://www.hancockfabrics.com/search...path=&x=12&y=4
I bought the Pixie Plus and I ended up returning it because I was having too many problems with it. I bought the Sew Mini after that and I love it. I also got mine at Hancock Fabrics...it goes on sale pretty often (I think), so I would watch for a good sale.
Thank you, Kelly! I'm not sure, but it seems like the Pixie has more stitch options (and I love the color-not that that should be a reason to get it! ;) ). None of the zig zags works on cards?
I actually have to retract what I said about the zigzag...when I tested the stitches I just used a sheet of unloved PP and a piece of ugly cs and I guess they were either too "plain" or I fed them through the machine too fast.
Yesterday I had a few minutes to make a card and I was using scraps which were CRYING OUT for zig zag stitching so I thought I'd give the stitch another try (using more "test" cardstock before I ruined my PP). It turned out okay so I'm now thinking the issue was a "user problem"...
Incidentally, I don't really sew, per se. I have a budget Brother sewing machine that I bought at Wal-Mart (when it was still Woolco in Canada) years ago and use it to do things like hem curtains or jeans but I can't sew straight to save my life. I do enjoy using the Pixie (though I wish it had a guide on it...there's nothing to hold my paper/cardstock in place to keep it in a straight line) and I had read some bad reviews when I bought it so I was very careful reading the instructions and using it in general. Now I love sewing on my cards as it's so easy to pop the machine onto my worktop!
I'm attaching a picture of the card I made yesterday with the zig zag stitch so you can see that it's not too bad at all...wish I'd kept the original cs that I stitched on so you could see the difference in the scale.
I also mentioned my retraction on my blog yesterday.
The thing to remember is that everyone has a different opinion on both the Pixie and the Sew Mini. I'm sure I would have bought a Sew Mini if it was available in Canada but I have to admit that the Pixie is fine for my novice sewing needs.
I have a STD singer. I decided not to go with a smaller unit because I could use a singer for reg sewing too. plus when I researched the same thing people were calling the pixie & Janome a throw away machine. I did not understand the whole meaning but I wanted something that would last. I got my singer for only $50 more and it was worth it imho ~Angela
If I decide to sew on cards I will buy a Sew Mini. I have a Bernina and would not want to get paper lint in my machine.
If it doesn't last forever I am fine with that . It would probably last until sewing on cards is out of style LOL LOL
Kelly: I love your card and the stitching looks perfect!
All: Thank you for the information!
The Janome Sew Mini was on sale at Hancock Fabricks for $39.99, but unfortunately, I didn't make it online to let everyone know-sorry! :( The shipping was only free with a $60 purchase, so I bought one over the telephone and plan to pick it up when I'm in L.A. in June.
I will have to go and watch the tutorials, especially Gina K's-thank you Wanda!
You are very welcome. I love my Janome...I watched Gina K's videos and stopped and started them from unpacking it to sewing with it. They are truely a watch and do video. Have fun creating.
I have a STD singer. I decided not to go with a smaller unit because I could use a singer for reg sewing too. plus when I researched the same thing people were calling the pixie & Janome a throw away machine. I did not understand the whole meaning but I wanted something that would last. I got my singer for only $50 more and it was worth it imho ~Angela
I have both a Janome and a Pixie. The Pixie I just got today for $25 at Walmart clearance section. It is like a toy. The Janome is more like a 'real' machine. I altered a dress for my daughter with the Pixie to test it out. Th pedal was kinda flimsy & you have to press it all the way flat to work (so basically one speed). The presser foot and the grips weren't catching the material so I basically had to pull the dress as I worked on it. Maybe with a different material it would be fine. I was sewing a silk type dress. I don't think it will sew thick material like jeans, even if you changed to a zipper foot (and I don't know that you can change the foot). It's been a while since I used the Janome but I often prefer using that over my 'real' machine because it's size and weight.
A related question... does one need to backstitch on card making? I think it'd be a pain, but I wouldn't want to be disappointed either. Maybe just a smidge of glue on the edge instead?
Timely post here, beause I was just about to go in and play!
A related question... does one need to backstitch on card making? I think it'd be a pain, but I wouldn't want to be disappointed either. Maybe just a smidge of glue on the edge instead?
Timely post here, beause I was just about to go in and play!
If it's on a layer, I usually don't backstitch, I just put a little glue on the back and glue the thread down. If it's on a one-layer card, I usually do backstitch.
I don't ever backstitch. Instead, I pull the thread on the backside of the cardstock until the front thread comes through the back. Then, I just tie them off.
I have a Bernina but have never sewed on it with paper. Is it bad to use your regular sewing machine for stitching on cards? I don't sew alot, but I do want to keep my machine in good working order. It was alot of $$$ so I don't want to ruin it with paper. Anybody know if it's safe to sew paper on a regular (full-sized) machine?
I also own a Bernina and it's perfectly safe. Even the fabric that a lot of machine dealers use is so highly sized that it is like sewing on paper.
Technically, it's easier on your machine than fabric because there's less lint (nearly none really).
When I teach newbies to sew around curves, I draw on paper and have them sew it until they get a feel for things. We dno't use thread and that way they can see how accurate they're getting.
I also own a Bernina and it's perfectly safe. Even the fabric that a lot of machine dealers use is so highly sized that it is like sewing on paper.
Technically, it's easier on your machine than fabric because there's less lint (nearly none really).
When I teach newbies to sew around curves, I draw on paper and have them sew it until they get a feel for things. We dno't use thread and that way they can see how accurate they're getting.
Thanks! Now I don't have to buy another machine to start sewing on my cards! I'm going to experiment with it now.
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THANK YOU for this thread! I've been wanting to sew on my cards, but I have 2 antique machines that I dont' want to ruin. We are living over here in Germany for a couple more years and it worries me to have them run on a transformer - the 220v power in our house can be converted ok, but anything with a motor can be burned out because of the hertz cycle difference.
This is PERFECT! I ordered the Janome Sew Mini from Hancock just now, and they ship to APO addresses!!! Plus, I always check www.retailmenot.com for coupon codes and found one for free shipping on your first order! HKFEMAILSIGNUP is the code. Saved me $10.95! - so $40 is all since we don't have tax.
Not bad!!
Thanks so much!
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* Wickless Candles,Homemade Cards, with 2 Tweens and a Teen *
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For the record, cards are so small, that you don't even have to plug in your machine to do them. You can easily turn the wheel with your hand and leave the machine off.
Just in case you have a machine but can't turn it on for some reason etc.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chautona
For the record, cards are so small, that you don't even have to plug in your machine to do them. You can easily turn the wheel with your hand and leave the machine off.
Just in case you have a machine but can't turn it on for some reason etc.
The problem with doing this using my old sewing machines is that they are heavy.. and I have fibromyalgia (yeah, i'm 35. lovely!) so even as small as a card would be too much. Plus the wheels just don't turn as easily as on newer machines. I'm not a beginner; - I sewed all my bridesmaid dresses on these 2 machines even. I just know that I can't use them for my card making. THIS will work. Yes, it doesn't have the battery operated option like others, but if it wears out in 3 years time, I only put 40 bucks into it. I can handle that! ;)
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* Wickless Candles,Homemade Cards, with 2 Tweens and a Teen *
* Proud to be an Air Force Spouse *
A question for those of you with the Janome Sew Mini. Can someone pls tell me what is the voltage on the AC adapter says - 110V or 110-240V? I am considering buying this but need to know if it will work overseas. Thanks for your help.
Fi,
I took the plug out to look and the plate on it reads as follows:
INPUT: 120VAC 60Hz 110mA
OUTPUT: 6VDC 1200MA
I copied it exactly as written because these things mean nothing to me. I did check the booklet to see if there was any more information, but I did not find anything there. Hope this helps.
I love my Janome sew mini, too... but so far have only used it a few times. Gina K. does give a great presentation about this machine.
One thing I'm wondering is how to make the stitches a little longer. I use the longest setting.. but wonder if adjusting the tension would have any effect on the length of stitch? Just wondering...
I would like to know what size needle everyone uses as when I used my regular machine, the holes were too large. You must be using a smaller needle?
For most standard sewing machines you can get different sizes of needles -- extra-heavy for jeans down to light for lingerie fabrics. Don't know if that applies for the mini craft machines, but if they use standard needles it should. You will probably want a needle that is for woven fabrics, as needles for knits tend to have more blunt, rounded tips and may not pierce the paper as cleanly.
According to a discussion I had with my local sewing machine shop, you might want to designate a needle just for sewing on paper, as paper and CS will blunt the sharp tip more quickly than fabric. Otherwise, no problem using a regular machine for paper and CS.
I had one of the Sew Minis and it was junk...I ended up tossing it and getting a full size sewing machine. Much sturdier and does a great job.
blessings.
Help! I need to find a Viking Husqvarna Emerald 116 user's guide. I've searched the internet and get lots of listings when Googled but when I go to the site there is nothing "real" to download. I'm not a sewer and I don't even know where the spool of thread goes, it seems like there are two places it could go (I'm not real swift about some things ;)). Anyway I have this really nice machine and I can't use it since I lost the manual that came with it.
I am in the process of purchasing another machine. I currently have the Janome Sew Mini, and for the life of me, cannot sew a nice rounded corner, especially the 1/4" rounded corner with that machine. The feed/teeth cannot grip the paper well enough, so I have some stitches that are off the curve, NOT A GOOD THING. I contacted some of our crafting geniuses, some said the sew mini did the job, but there were also some that agreed with me. They also added that with the sew mini, it's difficult to sew at a comfortable speed when sewing ROUNDED CORNERS, straight lines are no problem. Spend another $20 and get the heavy duty Janome #11543 instead if you're planning on sewing NICE ROUNDED CORNERS. Overstock.com sells the refurbished ones for about $70. One of our crafting geniuses told me about this find. Good luck!
Thank you so much!!! That will be helpful. I love Gina K's videos.
Who has the best price on the Sew Mini? I've seen it for between $40-$50 at Overstock.com, but that's for a refurbished one & you have to pay shipping. I heard that Hancock Fabrics puts theirs on sale for about $40, but I haven't been lucky enough to catch it that low...yet.
I bought mine at Hancock for 59.99 new. Works like a charm! Zig Zag is perfect of he Sew Mini. Work with the tension because it is different on cards.
bettylee
Sewing on Cards
Sewing on Cards
