Janome MOD-19 Review

Name: Janome MOD-19
Brand: Janome

This average sewing machine has a higher price tag, but it's good for those who like to take their time with things

A basic sewing machine for a moderate to larger budget.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

Price: $399 List

Manufacturer: Janome

By Austin Palmer ⋅ Senior Review Analyst ⋅ November 28, 2022

Contributions From: Ruth Bruckbauer

OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#12 of 13

Sewing - 45% 6.6
Ease of use - 35% 5.6
Buttonholes - 20% 3.6

RELATED: The Best Sewing Machines

List Price: $399

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Our Verdict

Janome has a favorable name and image in most sewing circles, but unfortunately, the Janome MOD-19 fell short of many of its siblings. The setup directions are molded onto the machine, which means they're handy but not very readable; the sewing test results were uninspiring; and the buttonholes, though somewhat easy to set up, were of poorer quality. Most of the directions are in the manual, so you'll spend some time going between the machine and the manual, but once you figure it out, it should be fine. An experienced sewer would be able to figure out and use this sewing machine without a problem, but it could be too overwhelming for a novice.

Compare to Similar Products

(change comparison)

	This Product Janome MOD-19	Brother HC1850	Brother CS7000X	Brother XR9550	Brother CS5055
Awards		Best Overall Sewing Machine for Most People			Best Bang for Your Buck
Price	$399 List Check Amazon (on sale!)	$280 List Check Price at Amazon	$240 List Check Price at Amazon	$270 List Check Amazon (on sale!)	$170 List Check Amazon (on sale!)
Overall Score	57	79	75	74	72
Star Rating	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Bottom Line	This model has a high price tag for just being an average sewing machine	A simple to use option with lots of stitches, an excellent screen, and an affordable price, but isn't the cleanest buttonhole maker	A user-friendly model that works well on all the basics except for buttonholes, and comes at an affordable price	An inexpensive, easy-to-use sewing machine that provides consistent sewing but has some trouble with buttonholes and winding the bobbin	A beginner would really like this machine since it's easy-to-use and inexpensive
Rating Categories	Janome MOD-19	Brother HC1850	Brother CS7000X	Brother XR9550	Brother CS5055
Sewing (45%)	6.6	7.8	7.4	7.4	6.8
Ease of use (35%)	5.6	9.3	9.2	8.9	8.0
Buttonholes (20%)	3.6	5.6	4.8	4.8	6.8
Specifications	Janome MOD-19	Brother HC1850	Brother CS7000X	Brother XR9550	Brother CS5055
# of Built-in Stitches	19	185	70	165	60
# of Buttonhole Styles	1	8	7	8	7
Automatic Bobbin Winder	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Manufacturer Stated Maximum Sewing Speed (stitches per minute)	800	850	750	850	750
Computerized?	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Buttonhole Sewing (number of steps)	4-Step	1-Step	1-Step	1-Step	1-Step
Maximum Stitch Width	5mm	7mm	7mm	7mm	7mm
Maximum Stitch Length	4mm	5mm	5mm	5mm	5mm
Thread Cutter	Built-in	Built-in	Built-in	Built-in	Built-in
Cover	No	No	Hard	Hard	No
Free Arm	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Measured Weight	11.8 Ibs	10.5 lbs	10.4 lbs	12.1 Ibs	10.8 lbs

Our Analysis and Test Results

Janome sewing machines have been around a good number of years and have a loyal following among sewers. The Janome MOD-19 will have a loyal following, too, thanks to its above-average sewing results. However, some other things will leave many Janome brand lovers shaking their heads.

Performance Comparison

janome mod-19 - dials help you choose which of the 19 different stitches to use. — Dials help you choose which of the 19 different stitches to use. Credit: Abriah Wofford

Sewing

Overall, the MOD-19 came out slightly above average for this metric. The tension was a little tight, causing a lot of bunching with chiffon, but satin, silk, and cotton jersey all looked pretty good. Some little bottom threads popped up here and there, but nothing that would cause big problems.

janome mod-19 - the stitching looked pretty good on the quilting test fabric. — The stitching looked pretty good on the quilting test fabric. Credit: Abriah Wofford

Overall, the MOD-19 performed well with the zigzag stitch, although it experienced some bunching issues with chiffon (although most machines have some bunching problems with chiffon). Overall, the MOD-19 scored slightly better in our sewing tests than the other Janomes we tested, but lower in some other categories.

janome mod-19 - the different stitches are clearly defined and easy to adjust... — The different stitches are clearly defined and easy to adjust. Simply turn the dial to get the desired stitch. Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use

Overall, the Janome MOD-19 did exceptionally well at threading the needle and very well with the thread cutter and lighting. The other areas were below average, with the needle stop position being far below average.

janome mod-19 - it's a little complicated getting this machine ready to sew, but... — It's a little complicated getting this machine ready to sew, but once you understand the system, you'll be fine. Credit: Abriah Wofford

As it turns out, the MOD-19 doesn't have a complicated list of stitches, but there is no clear explanation on the machine for what any of the numbers or symbols on the dials mean. That said, the instruction manual explains how to set the machine up and how to use the dials, so once you've done it a couple of times, you'll be fine. And the bobbin has clear directions on it for how to insert it into the bobbin holder once it's wound.

the wound bobbins show a little inconsistency.

a top loading bobbin is so much easier to use that a front-loading...

Loading the bobbins into the machine required some trial and error to get them even.

Buttonholes

This sewing machine was the only one we tested with a 4-step buttonhole process; the others all have a 1-step buttonhole. But all is not lost because the 4-step buttonhole is easier than average to set up and use. However, it can be tedious as you'll have to lay the button on the garment, mark the top and bottom, then add some length so the button can go through.

Our testers recommend drawing your line on the back side of your garment — you'll likely need to practice a bit before you get the hang of doing it. It's not a terrible process, and it even works better than some of the 1-step buttonholes we tested. And as one of our testers noted, “It gets the job done.”

janome mod-19 - choosing a buttonhole size before getting started. — Choosing a buttonhole size before getting started. Credit: Abriah Wofford

Should You Buy the Janome MOD-19?

Well, we tested other sewing machines that were easier to set up and use and also cheaper. We do not think that the MOD-19 would be a good beginner sewing machine, nor is it for everybody, especially those who always want the latest and greatest. But it may be a good fit for a veteran sewer who has the money and isn't afraid to take the time to figure things out.

janome mod-19 - the mod-19 requires a little more finagling to get the settings... — The MOD-19 requires a little more finagling to get the settings right than many others we tested. Credit: Abriah Wofford

What Other Sewing Machines Should You Consider?

If you are a Janome fan, both the Janome MOD-50 and the Janome 3160QDC-T performed better in our tests. You'll have to shell out a little more, but you'll likely be much happier in the long run. If you are open to other brands and would appreciate something a little more user-friendly, the Brother HC1850 is an excellent choice that costs less. If you're okay with paying a premium price, the Singer 9960 Quantum Stylist performed excellently in all our testing metrics.

—Austin Palmer and Ruth Bruckbauer