Janome 3160QDC-T Review

The Janome 3160QDC-T is quite a sewing machine. Priced at the top of the machines we tested, this heavy machine has 60 built-in stitches and six buttonholes styles with a truly automatic thread cutter that was an absolute joy to use. It really excelled at sewing zippers as well, and doing buttonholes were a breeze. Overall, this is a great machine for someone with a lot of sewing experience who wants to buy something that will last and isn't afraid to pay for what they want.

Performance Comparison

Sewing

With very high scores on the straight stitch and the basting stitch, our reviewers were impressed with how evenly the stitching was on the 3160QDC-T and how clean and flat the various materials lay. Then we tested the zig-zag stitches and were very unimpressed. No matter which material was used — satin, chiffon, cotton jersey — the tension was overly tight, causing bunching and uneven stitching on the bottom side. In fact, the scallop stitching was the lowest of any score of any machine, and the blind hem wasn't much better.

But then we got to the zipper test, and all was forgiven. Super smooth and easy, the bottom stop of the zipper went right under the presser foot with no problems or hitches at all, giving a beautiful, finished product and earning a perfect score from our testers. The multi-layer denim test was also very, very good, with even and consistent stitching despite the thickness of the layers.

Ease of Use

With clear, clean, easy instructions, the Janome 3160QDC-T earned a high score for this metric. From the stitch set-up to the consistent needle stop position to the automatic thread cutter that really was automatic, this machine was a breeze to set up and use.

There is a very nice lit onscreen display showing which presser foot you need or which mode you are in — button, bobbin, etc. The stitches are all clearly labeled and numbered, and though there is no label for stitch tension, the average or commonly-used tensions are marked. Our testers found it all refreshingly clear and well-labeled and particularly liked the lighted screen.

But all was not joy with the Janome 3160QDC-T. We found that, though the bobbin winding and loading instructions were very clear and concise, the actual wind itself was lacking. The sewing light is also very average, illuminating only a small area with some shadowing to the left.

Buttonholes

A good, easy-to-use buttonhole attachment that provides you with smooth, symmetrical buttonholes can go a long way toward making up for other things that are lacking in a sewing machine. Fortunately, the Janome 3160QDC-T scored above average in both buttonhole set-up and quality. There are no colored lines to help you line up the buttonhole, and there is a plastic wall that somewhat impedes your view, but sewing the buttonhole itself is a breeze and provides a clean, smooth end product.

Should You Buy the Janome 3160QDC-T?

It's difficult to set a value on a sewing machine because each person has specific needs and desires. Overall, the Janome 3160QDC-T scored well, and we believe that the pros still outweigh the cons. While we would certainly not recommend this sewing machine for a beginner, an experienced sewist with the money to spend would enjoy this machine for many years.

What Other Sewing Machines Should You Consider?

The Janome 3160QDC-T will not be everybody's cup of tea, but the ease of set-up, the lit screen showing how to select your stitches, the beautiful buttonholes, and the superb zippering all help make this sewing machine a great one to own if you are willing to part with the cash. If you're interested in a premium sewing machine with more stitch options, the Singer 9960 Quantum Stylist has 600 different stitches to choose from and makes some of the best buttonholes we've seen. We also adore the premium-priced Juki HZL-F300 in just about every respect, with its precision stitching, automated features, and superb customization.