When the work on the haberdashery and the workshop was well underway, I had to seriously consider the possible options for sewing machines and sergers to equip the workshop. In this article, I want to share with you the thought process I went through to make my choice. 

On the other hand, the group courses at the workshop started this week and I was able to see the students' first reactions to the new machines, which is good feedback on the choice I made.

Finally, I took advantage of the few days before the courses started to put the machines to the test 😊 with the embroidered top I told you about last week... but especially since I wanted to test them thoroughly, I decided to sew a pair of denim jeans for my husband. Denim is a very comprehensive project to test a machine: embroidery stitches, triple stitch, handling thicknesses, hems, buttonholes... In short, I'll show you everything! 

Selection criteria

First of all, let's talk about the selection criteria for the sewing machines in the workshop!

I wanted my students to work on "good" machines and to experience the comfort of working with quality equipment. On the other hand, I wanted beginners to be able to handle it easily (machines that are easy for a novice to use) but also for advanced users not to be limited by the features offered by the machines. So, a good compromise had to be found: easy but complete. 

So I had quite firm criteria for the machines that would take their place in the workshop. 

Here are my criteria for choosing the machines:

• sturdy (not all-plastic machines) 
• durable over time (good brand reputation, easy maintenance...)
• easy to handle for beginners, ergonomic...
• a nice straight stitch (because it’s the one used the most)
• that offers many possibilities (number of stitches, ...)
• with many presser feet included as standard (buttonhole, zipper...) to limit additional future purchases
• that easily handles thicknesses (a good motor, good power)
• with the bobbin visible on top
• and obviously with a budget constraint

How to choose?

After a tedious review of the ranges offered by different sewing machine brands, I decided to test the various machines I had pre-selected. I had made my little list of what I wanted to test. 
Some brands did not meet the criteria of sturdiness and durability with "all-plastic" machines... some models from brands offered few features and would frustrate experienced sewers... others were poorly equipped and if you had to buy presser feet separately, it would blow the budget...

After testing, I hesitated between two machines that met my criteria: the Janome Sewist 740DC and the Janome Sewist 780DC, and I finally chose the 780DC, just a bit more expensive than the 740DC but offering 40 more stitch types and the automatic thread cutter. 

My choice: the Janome Sewist 780DC – a brief overview

The Janome Sewist 780DC is an electronic sewing machine.

It includes 80 utility and decorative stitches including 6 types of automatic buttonholes. It is easy to select stitches thanks to its touchscreen. The LCD screen displays the selected stitch, the recommended foot, the default stitch width, and the length which can be adjusted. 

The motor has good power allowing you to complete more robust projects. The 780DC has some special features like the automatic integrated thread cutter, pattern lengthening up to 5 times the normal length, an integrated needle threader, a needle up/down button, a speed regulator. 

It comes standard with: its rigid transport case, its sewing table (400 x 280 mm), an extra spool holder, 5 basic presser feet, a seam ripper, a box of 5 needles, an original bobbin assortment, a cleaning brush, a quilting bar guide, a large screwdriver. 

It is possible to buy additional feet including a walking foot. 

The fire test 🔥: my boyfriend’s jeans

What better than jeans to test a machine?

First step: the pockets and embroidery stitches. I chose a wave-shaped embroidery for the back pockets and the coin pocket. And I must say I am won over by the very clean result of the stitch! 

Second step

The front slant pockets with topstitching done with a triple stitch. 

Third step

Installing the fly and zipper. I used the zipper foot and made rib topstitching on several layers of fairly thick denim! 

Here too, nothing to complain about, it went smoothly... 😊

Fourth step

Assembling the jean legs and attaching the waistband. Here the difficulty is passing the layers and the topstitching. Once again, no difficulty encountered and a real pleasure to sew. 

Fifth step

Making and attaching the belt loops with many layers to pass over a very small surface (the width of the loop). It’s always a somewhat difficult step but the machine handled it without complaining... 

The buttonhole was also done without difficulty thanks to the automatic buttonhole function. 

Only the hems with the three layers of denim were left... nothing complicated after the belt loops 😊

I am really happy with the making of the jeans for my partner but especially with the choice of machines 😊. The fire test is more than conclusive and makes me want to sew other ambitious projects with the workshop machines. I am really delighted with the handling of the thicknesses that scared me a bit, but the motor is really powerful and allows a smooth passage. I am thrilled! 

If you want to try our machines, or learn to sew or improve your skills, feel free to come to the workshop for an individual or group course, as well as for workshop rental.

Our workshop is located at 357, avenue de la Couronne in Ixelles (Brussels), Belgium. We will be happy to welcome you.