Janome HD3000 sewing machine

If you are a serious sewer looking for a durable sewing machine for heavy duty projects without the astronomical price of an industrial machine, the Janome HD3000 might just be the perfect fit.

It is a durable and powerful household sewing machine that can breeze through projects that your average machine can’t.

In this Janome HD3000 review, we’ll take a look at some of the key features of the machine, what it can be used for, and answer some of the most common questions about it.

Product overview: Janome HD3000 

Janome Sewing Machine Co. is a Japanese company dedicated to making quality sewing machines. Their products range from industrial to heavy-duty to basic household, and they offer everything from CNC to computerized to mechanical machines.

In addition to the HD3000, they offer a lower-end model called the Janome HD1000. We chose to review the 3000 because, while the HD1000’s frame and motor are comparable to the HD3000’s, the 1000 has fewer accessories, stitch options, and less overall functionality than the 3000. However, if you are interested in this model we also have a separate Janome HD1000 review for you to check out.

The Janome HD3000 has a whole slew of great features that make it a great quality, heavy-duty machine. Let’s take a look at some of the basics.

What we like:

  • Durable gears
  • Works well with thick fabrics and materials
  • Good selection of stitches
  • Comes with a lot of accessories
  • Great option for industrial use if you can’t afford a true industrial machine

What we don’t like:

  • Plastic case instead of aluminum or steel
  • No walking foot accessory included
  • No needle up/down function for manual stitching
  • Expensive compared to some other heavy duty machines

Sturdy construction

Janome HD3000 sewing machine with a plastic case

The HD3000 has a hard plastic case, which is unusual for a heavy-duty machine. Most come with an all-metal frame to dampen vibrations from the motor and to ensure the longevity of the machine.

However, Janome chose plastic with this particular model to keep the weight down.

While that would typically reduce the durability of a machine, Janome added the metal construction elsewhere on the machine: the gears.

The majority of sewing machines (even heavy-duty ones) on the market use nylon gears, which can weaken and break with time. The HD3000, on the other hand, is entirely metal inside.

Having all-metal gears means your sewing machine will have significantly fewer repairs than its counterparts. It will also have a much longer lifespan to keep you sewing like a champ for years to come.

The down-side to all that metal is that it makes the machine a bit heavy. At 18 pounds, you probably won’t want to move it around much or travel with it, despite the company’s claims that it is fully portable.

Easy to use

The Janome HD3000 is a mechanical sewing machine, which makes it easy and straightforward to use.

Even though computerized machines are steadily growing in popularity, they have a steep learning curve.

That makes them a hindrance to beginners and even advanced users who need a quick, no-fuss turnover from their machine. Therefore, the Janome HD3000 is the perfect fit for sewers looking for a less complicated option.

Janome also tends to make their controls relatively simple on their sewing machines. This model, in particular, is meant to focus on high-powered applications, so it skips most of the fancy bells and whistles.

Powerful motor

The HD3000 is equipped with a 1.0 amp motor capable of 860 stitches per minute. While this is an impressive speed, it is not the fastest in the mid-range sewing machine market.

It is powerful enough to work through heavy materials like denim, canvas, leather, and multiple layers of fleece.

It is a great machine to segue into industrial sewing, though some Amazon users report that they prefer to use their 3000 over their industrial sewing machines all the time.

Stitch options

Another way that the HD3000 deviates from its competition is by having 18 different stitch options.

That may seem a paltry number in comparison to the offerings of most computerized machines. However, it is more than most heavy-duty sewing machines offer.

One-step buttonholes

Another great feature that usually isn’t seen in heavy-duty machines is a one-step buttonhole function. It makes it super easy to make custom, perfect buttonholes every single time.

It is as easy as fitting the included buttonhole presser foot onto the machine, selecting the desired length of your buttonhole, and letting the machine do its thing.

This machine really is a must for anyone looking to make clothing either at the hobbyist or professional level.

Built-in thread cutter

This machine features a built-in thread cutter that allows you to sever both the needle and bobbin threads at the same time with the push of a button. While this isn’t a make or break feature, it is certainly convenient.

High presser foot clearance

The HD3000 comes outfitted with an extra high presser foot lift. This means you can fit much thicker materials beneath the presser foot than an average sewing machine.

This is an exciting feature for a high-powered sewing machine, since often the only thing preventing sewers from testing out thicker materials is that they can’t fit them under the foot.

Presser foot options

Speaking of presser feet, the HD3000 comes with a generous assortment of them:

  • Zipper
  • Overedge
  • Buttonhole
  • Blind hem
  • Zig-Zag
  • Rolled hem

This assortment of specialized presser feet means that you can create just about any project, but it is especially heavy on accessories tailored for clothes-making.

The only foot that truly feels missing is a walking foot attachment. Most of the other heavy-duty sewing machines include one with the machine, since the powerful motors just beg for the use of thick materials and quilting.

Thankfully, all hope is not lost. Even though the machine didn’t come with a walking foot, you can still use the HD3000 as a walking foot by purchasing the accessory separately.

In addition to the walking foot, Janome has a whole line of specialized presser feet that you can purchase separately from your machine. Just make sure the HD3000 is listed in the supported models since all Janome presser feet do not work with all Janome sewing machines.

Other accessories

The HD3000 comes with some great accessories. The best of which is definitely the hard dust case that keeps the machine safe and clean while not in use.

Other accessories include small but essential components like extra bobbins, spare needles, a seam ripper, and more.

Janome HD3000 FAQs

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the HD3000 by prospective buyers.

Is this an industrial sewing machine?

Technically, no, the HD3000 is not considered a true industrial machine. It is a heavy-duty household machine.

However, many users commented that they feel it sews better than their actual industrial machine, so it has become their go-to machine for everything.

Can this machine sew through thick materials like denim, canvas, and leather?

Yes, for the most part, you can use Janome HD3000 sewing machine for sewing leather. It is always encouraged to use a true industrial sewing machine for thicker materials, but several users have confirmed that it sews through several layers of denim with ease.

Always use a diamond-tipped leather needle when sewing leather on a standard or heavy-duty sewing machine. Also make sure to test its capabilities by starting out with thinner leather fabrics and gradually introducing thicker pieces.

Most users reported that it sews through several layers of leather easily as well, but testing that out yourself will save your materials and your machine from being ruined.

Can you use the HD3000 for free motion quilting?

You sure can! The HD3000 allows you to lower the feed dogs and it has a stitch regulator – the two causes for concern when it comes to free motion quilting!

The throat is the standard size at 6”. If you are looking to quilt something large like a, well, quilt, just keep in mind that you will be working with very limited space.

Does the HD3000 have a needle up/down function?

No.  Unfortunately, it does not have a function to manually stitch by moving the needle up and down, which is a definite downside to a machine meant for working with thick materials.

Does this machine have a twin needle feature?

Yes, you can use a twin needle to sew two parallel lines at once. Just be sure to purchase a double needle that works specifically with Janome machines (newer Singer needles typically do).

Wrapping it up

Well, that’s it! There is everything you need to know about the Janome HD3000 before purchasing it. 

If you still have questions or if you have something to add to the discussion, leave us some love in the comment section below!

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