My sweet husband bought me a new sewing machine for Christmas! I was as excited as my 6-year-old self was, 30 years ago, to get a new purple bike called “Dusty Rose.” 
My husband and I had been talking about buying me one sometime within the next couple of months, and when he kept pressing me to go to the store and figure out which model I wanted, I did suspect that he might buy it for me for Christmas, but I really wasn’t confident about it.
Here’s my old machine:
My old machine is a basic Singer, which my mother-in-law bought me when my husband and I were engaged. It has been a great machine, and I sewed for many happy hours on it, but the main reason I wanted to upgrade was that I wanted to be able to do free-motion quilting.
Here’s my new machine:
It’s a Janome 3160 QDC. I love this thing! I never knew what I had been missing! Here are some of the things I can do with this machine that I couldn’t do with my other machine:
- needle up/down button (love this!)
- an advanced feed system that keeps me straight, especially when backstitching
- beautiful overlock stitches!!!!!! (I’ve decided that I don’t need a serger after all!)
- the ability to drop the feeds and free-motion quilt with a darning foot
- easy button holes
- stretch stitches for knits
- automatic cutter
One nice thing about buying from a quilt shop is that I get free classes. I consider myself pretty knowledgeable about sewing, but in my first class I had a blast and learned a lot about using my machine to its fullest.
If you’re looking at this model, I recommend it. It has most of the features the higher-end machines have, for 1/3 the price. It is a lighter machine, which means it doesn’t have as much heavy metal inside, and anyone will tell you that the more metal inside, the better made it is. That did give me pause before choosing this model; however, this machine has the same warranty as any other Janome machine, and I have enough confidence in the company to feel like this machine will last me for many, many years. After all, I was very happy with my basic Singer for more than 10 years, so I think this Janome is going to suit me just fine for quite a while.
And my Singer still runs like a champ, so I’ve given it to my 8-year-old daughter, who is thrilled. I’m excited about sewing side-by-side with her.
hi addy–i’m so happy that you have a wonderful new sewing machine. it sounds like the possibilities are endless. can’t wait to see what creative projects you’ll turn out. love aunt judy
Hi! I just found this post when I was googling about FMQ with a 3160 QDC (which I just got in February). I’ve only done straight line quilting on mine so far, but want to soon venture into the FMQ world! Mine just started acting up with the feed dogs (I think) pulling the fabric to the left, thus minimizing my seam allowance as I sew.
I only use a walking foot, so I didn’t expect to run into this problem. I’m assuming it’s a feed dog issue so I’m having it looked at next week. Otherwise I like it a lot! How do you like yours now that you’ve had it for a couple months? Pros? Cons?
Hmmm…That is weird. Glad you’re getting it checked out. I still really like mine. I have noticed that I have to turn it off and turn it back on to “restart” at times. Sometimes things just start going wacko with the computer, I guess, and a restart does the trick. I have noticed that it is not a tough machine as far as doing thick seam allowances (like when I made a wool skirt and was putting in the zipper…) Still, I am so pleased with it, and it is such an upgrade from my old machine. I feel like, for what I paid for it versus how much the bigger machines cost, I got a great machine for my needs. And the classes I took were so helpful and I appreciate that I have the support of the knowledgable lady who sold me my machine.
You really need to get into FMQ! It’s so much fun! Do you have a blog that you could link to here? I’d love to see what you’re making!
I don’t have a blog (yet)…I’ve been tossing the idea around for a while now. It’s been a “new baby year” as far as homeschooling, so trying to finish up this year with a 5 month old is taking up most of my time! Thanks for your input. My Janome is also a huge upgrade from my Singer from Target my MIL got for me as a newlywed 10 years ago!! I added your blog as one of my favorites so I will be around!
I’m a homeschooler too, and got my old Singer from my MIL, so it sounds like we have a lot in common!
I got the same machine! In January of this year. I have not got a draning foot yet What type or darning foot did you get?
I got my darning foot from the Janome shop in my town, and I think there was just one that fit my machine. How do you like your machine? What kinds of things do you like to sew?
I’m thinking of buying a Janome 3160. Do you still recommend it?
Anita,
Yes, I still love my machine. I felt like it didn’t do as well as I would like on thick seams (I was sewing a wool skirt), but I bought a walking foot, and that foot is a tank that will walk over anything! I just recently sewed a denim quilt, and it worked like a champ. I do quilts, clothes, bags, etc. and I really like how it performs.