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Janome HD2200 sewing machine review

Considering the Janome HD2200 sewing machine? Delve into our reliable review by sewing expert Anna-Lisa De’Ath to make an informed decision.

Our rating

4.25

Published: March 16, 2024 at 12:00 pm

Our review
Suited to beginners and portable enough to take to sewing classes, at just over £450, this is one of the cheaper Janome sewing machines that we tested

Pros:

At a glance flip-up stitch selection guide in the lid | Useful foot storage space in the top of the machine | Clear stitch width/length advice when selecting stitches

Cons:

Slightly clunky stitch selection knob

Will the Janome HD2200 help you deliver your creative ambitions?

We put the Janome HD2200 through its paces in our extensive testing process! Read on to find out if this is the machine for you, whether you're a beginner seeking your first sewing machine or looking to upgrade.

Summary

A sturdy heavy-duty machine that’s ideal for beginners and for using in sewing classes.


About this expert: Anna-Lisa De’Ath

Anna-Lisa De’Ath has been sewing for over forty years. Following a degree in fashion at Central St Martins School of Art, she has worked as a magazine editor specialising in homes, interiors and crafts and has produced sewing and craft projects for magazines such as Your Home, HomeStyle, Bella, Prima and Good Housekeeping.

When she’s not writing, styling and producing features for interiors magazines, she teaches craft and sewing workshops from her studio in Somerset.


How we tested the Janome HD2200

We thoroughly tested the sewing machine's setup, accessory attachment, and stitching capabilities, exploring a range of fabrics—viscose to denim—to assess its performance across different materials and stitch options.


Is the Janome HD2200 good value for money?

This heavy duty machine is super sturdy, making it ideal for schools or if you teach sewing classes as it offers all the basic functions.

It retails at £459, which we feel is good value considering how robust this machine is.

Coming with a two-year warranty, there’s an option to extend this by one, two or three years at a cost of £10 per year.

Abundant Accessories

Although it comes with a good choice of feet and accessories for beginners, there’s a comprehensive range of optional extras.

These include a darning/embroidery foot, button sewing foot, bias binder foot and ditch quilting foot amongst others.

Accessible Replacement Parts

Replacement parts are available from Janome’s website, while their network of trusted retail partners offer replacement parts and servicing.


What are the Janome HD2200 features & stitch options?

Machine Design and Size

  • Horizontal Full Rotary Hook
  • Free Arm / Flat Bed Conversion
  • Top Loading Design
  • Compact Dimensions: W390 x D180 x H290mm
  • Weight: 8kg

Performance and Speed

  • Superior Feed System (SFS) / 7 Piece Feed Dog
  • Maximum Sewing Speed: 900 s.p.m. (approx.)
  • Stitch Length: 4mm/ Stitch Width: 6.5mm

Convenient Operation

  • Comprehensive Instruction Book
  • Foot Control for Hands-free Operation
  • Snap-on Feet for Easy Attachment
  • Horizontal Type Spool Pin
  • Manual Tension Control

Built-in Stitches and Functions

  • 22 Built-in Stitches, including 1 Step Buttonhole
  • Drop Feed Functionality
  • Twin Needle Facility

Mobility and Storage

  • Carry Handle for Portability
  • Protective Hard Cover for Storage

Quilting and Accessories

  • Quilting Guide Bar
  • Spare Spool Pin for Convenience, 4 x Bobbins and Needles
  • Various Feet Options: Blind Hem, Buttonhole, Auto Sliding Buttonhole, Standard, Zipper, Satin Stitch, Overedge and Straight Stitch Foot for Precision

Tools and Maintenance

  • Large and Small Spool Holders
  • Lint Brush and Small Screwdriver
  • Seam Ripper for Corrections

Stitch options include

  • 200 stitch options including 9 buttonholes, alphabet stitches with five fonts, pictorial and word stitches

Is the Janome HD2200 easy to use?

We found setting up the HD2200 to be a breeze, thanks to clear threading guides and a convenient stitch reference chart inside the lid.

User-Friendly Display

When choosing stitches, we liked how the front display provides recommendations for the presser foot, stitch width, and length. This eliminated the need to constantly refer to the manual, making it ideal for beginners.

Comprehensive Manual

While the manual is excellent, offering clear and easy-to-follow instructions, the pattern selection dial felt slightly clunky to turn, a minor critique.

Versatile Stitching Options

Boasting 22 built-in stitches and a 1-step buttonhole, this machine caters to everyday sewing needs.
The drop feed feature is perfect for free-motion embroidery, offering flexibility for various projects.

Circular Sewing and Storage

We liked how the extension table slides off for circular sewing tasks, as it makes it more versatile. The incorporated storage compartments in the lid, and the extension table compartment offer convenient space for various feet and accessories.


How well did the Janome HD2200 perform?

The HD2200 showcased excellent performance on both lightweight and heavyweight fabrics, maintaining a quiet operation. Its robust build provided stability, preventing any movement or juddering, even during heavy denim sewing.

Performance Specifications

With a maximum stitch length of 4mm, width of 6.5mm, and approximately 900 stitches per minute, the HD2200 handles everything from dressmaking to curtain projects. Twin needle capability and full mechanical operation make it a great choice for those averse to computerized machines.

Effortless Buttonhole Creation

Crafting buttonholes became a breeze with the one-step buttonhole function, offering simplicity in setup. The machine includes a variety of feet, such as standard, buttonhole, blind hem stitch, zipper, satin stitch, and overedge feet.

Convenient Foot Change

We found changing feet to be a seamless process, thanks to the quick and easy push-button release. The machine's dedicated and labelled foot storage compartments, along with extra space in the extension table compartment, added to the user-friendly experience.

Versatile Stitch Options

Ideal for dressmakers seeking embellishments, the machine provides an array of decorative stitches, including satin, smocking, shell tuck, and pin tuck stitches. Additional offerings include fagotting and quilting stitches, with a quilting guide bar for evenly spaced rows.

Where to buy the Janome HD2200

Our verdict: Should you buy the Janome HD2200?

If you want a sturdy entry-level machine this is a great buy, especially if you want a machine that can cope with heavy duty projects or if you want a machine to teach sewing classes with.

It comes with plenty of accessories for all your basic sewing needs and boasts 22 stitches and a buttonhole stitch, so it’s well appointed to handle all your day to day sewing projects, as well as being easy to programme.

Although it has a metal body, it only weighs 10kg and has a hard case, so it’s still easy to carry around and it comes with a two-year warranty for peace of mind.

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Man at sewing machine