Aldi are selling a 216-S Janome sewing machine this week. This is a pretty good entry level machine. They have rebadged it as the "Stirling" which must be an Aldi branding initiative as they also gave the same name to the last Janome machine that Aldi sold which was the DC2050. The 2050 was a better machine than this though.
Normally sewing shops sell this machine for $180 or so, so $100 is not too shabby.
eg here:-
http://www.sewingmachinesales.co.uk/sewing-machine/janome/ja…
Note that this is a UK site selling the UK version of the machine.
This is a 2016 model, they havent sold it in Australia yet. Closest equivalent Janome machines would be the 1008 or RE1306 which are both around $180 usually, although I would probably put this machine as being slightly better than those two.
Essentially what I am saying is that this seems like a good deal to me. Probably a better buy than the Brother JS1400 that is on sale from time to time for the same price, and which I nevertheless bought and am quite happy with.
Any Janome is a better buy than a cheap brother any day.
I think the brother js 1400 is a perfectly sound machine. Probably on par with the janome 1008.
Hi, when did Aldi sell the Janome DC2050?
It wasn't everywhere but it was earlier this year around February. They sold it for $199 which was a pretty decent deal as well.
That machine was $299. That reviewer was lucky enough to get it on clearance. Anyway, I bought the rebranded DC2050 when Aldi sold it. Great machine. The only difference to the Janome is the brand logo. Absolutely no difference in the machines.
Someone bought it and wrote a good review here.
Can this machine sew jeans?
Yes, you may need to buy a tougher needle though. They are cheap to buy.
Are you able to find any through ebay?
Just buy denim needles from anywhere.
Any sewing store will have them, even Spotlight.
I prefer sewco to spotlight at least in Brisbane. Spotlight are expensive and their range is very spotty.
Thanks guys!
It can but I wouldn't sew a pair of jeans from scratch with it. Double needle machine with a bit more grunt would be better for that.
It would be fine for adjusting jeans though.
You shouldn't need a special double needle machine. Most machines can take a twin needle (as this can), and have an extra spindle that slots in. But I agree that you might want a bit more horsepower. Denim is tough.
Unfortunately my Brother JS1400 doesn't have a second slot-in spool, I think the JS1410 does. Another plus for this machine over that one then.
The overlocker is also a good buy, apparently the same as Janome 8002dx.
True that. I have an older janome overlocker that is quite similar and it has been an absolute champ. Has serged everything for me and other than needles I havent had to maintain it in any way. Probably should get it serviced though.
is it better than the Elna 792 on sale at spotlight for the same price? http://www.spotlightstores.com/sewing/sewing-equipment/overl…
Word has it that they're a very similar machine, from the same factory.
Each has their advantages over the other - the Aldi one has the edge over the Spotlight one in that they give a 60day satisfaction guarantee, whereas I just saw elsewhere that the One at spotlight has five years warranty, compared to one.
Looks suspiciously identical to the Singer 1409.
I guess both bought from the same Chinese factory. Good price.
A world away from the singer 1409. That is an absolute dog of machine in my opinion.
Singer brand isn't what it used to be. It used to be that if it was Singer you knew it would be reliable, but that's not the case any more. Some of their dearer models are still ok, but steer clear of their cheaper ones.
I remember Aldi had a cheap Singer in stock about a year or two ago. The people who bought it were none too impressed. Theyve stuck with Janome ever since I think.
Apparently BIG W having sale this week with Brother JS1400 for $99. So guys can you suggest which one is better.
https://www.bigw.com.au/bigw-catalogues#view=catalogue2&sale…
Auspost (if you can find stock) also have the Brother at the same price.
First difference I noticed is that the Brother is a top-loading bobbin, and the Janome is front-loading (with a bobbin case).
lupiter, which is easier for a beginner/non-sewer? And would you recommend the Aldi one based on specs?
A top-loading bobbin is easier to get in and out, and to see when you've run out of thread, so is easier for a new sewer. If the instructions are good, however, you shouldn't have any problem with the Janome. Based on what I can find, the Janome (Aldi) sounds like it's more sturdy and better made. In terms of other features, they're pretty much the same as far as I can see (single needle position, 14 stitches, 4-step buttonhole, manual tension, no threader or cutter).
However, I'd have a look on Gumtree, or if you have friends who sew ask if anyone is planning on upgrading soon. A quality second-hand sewing machine will always be better.
I have that Brother. Its a good all round machine as I have commented before and in this thread. This Janome would have a bit more grunt and would probably be more capable. I can use my Brother to adjust denim jeans but it does tend to chug slightly where the needle goes over the side seams and it has to punch through three layers of denim.
And Janome does have a better pedigree when it comes to sewing machines.
ETA: someone said upthread that this machine has twin needle capability whereas the Brother (to the best of my knowledge) doesnt.
There is still stock at North Sydney and the price has been reduced to $69.99
gee that's a good find.
Please be more specific than $180ish, we need a real estimate