The Janome 230DC is a great buy for less than £450, is easy to use and is packed full of features, which enable you to start with sewing the basics then stretch your sewing skills as your confidence grows.
In this review we'll summarise the key features, show you how to use the machine and finish by showing you what is in the box and how we're here to help you on your sewing journey.
Pros: Janome 230DC
The 230 DC is a great value, easy to use computerized machine packed full of excellent features including:
- 30 stitches and three one-step buttonholes
- a free extension table
- a start stop button so you can sew without having to use the foot control
- needle up down for accurate sewing
- a sliding speed control so you can sew at your own pace
- a lockstitch so you don't have to reverse to secure your stitching
- a fantastic range of feet and accessories as standard
Cons: Janome 230DC
- If the number of stitches is important to you, there are machines with more stitches than the Janome 230DC around for a similar price.
- The Brother A50 is a similar price point and offers 50 stitches as opposed to 30. However, the Brother A50 doesn't include a free extension table or hard cover.
Threading the Janome 230DC
Winding the Bobbin
Threading the machine is easy. Start by placing a reel of thread on the spool pin and slot the spool cap into position. You'll receive two of these: a larger one for larger reels of thread.
Take the end of the thread and feed it round the metal thread guide on top of the machine making sure that it clicks into place.
Feed the end of the thread through the hole on the top of the bobbin, position the bobbin on the bobbin winder and slide it to the right so that it clicks into place.
Hold the end of the thread and apply some pressure to the foot pedal to start winding. Once you've completed a few rotations, snip the end of the thread and continue winding until the bobbin is full.
There's a little square cut out on top of the machine near the bobbin winder and this is where you can use the second spool pin that comes with the machine, which allows you to sew with a twin needle and create parallel lines of stitching.
Inserting the Bobbin
To insert the bobbin you can follow the handy guide on the bobbin cover, an easy way to remember it is that the thread should hang down the left hand side of the bobbin to form a letter 'p'.
Remove the bobbin cover and insert the bobbin into the case.
Feed the thread through the guide at the front and bring it round to the back. If you pull the thread you should feel some gentle tension as the thread works it's way through.
Slide the bobbin cover back into position.
Threading the Needle
Before threading the needle use the lever at the back of the needle bar to ensure that the foot is in the up position.
Turn the hand wheel to bring up the take-up lever.
Take the loose end of your thread, bring it around the back of the first thread guide then continue following the arrows and numbers to bring the thread through the relevant guides.
When you get to the take-up lever thread it from right to left and ensure that it is secured in the take-up lever.
To finish threading the needle press the needle up down button twice to bring the needle into the correct position for threading.
Feed the thread behind the two thread guides on the needle bar.
Gently pull the lever to the left of the machine to bring the needle threader into position.
Feed the thread from left to right through the relevant guides and across the front of the needle.
Release the lever gently and that will pull a little loop of thread through the eye of the needle, which you can then continue to pull through by hand.
Take the loose end of thread and place it under the foot and towards the back of the machine.
Bringing the Bobbin Thread Up
To bring the bobbin thread up press the needle up down button twice and then gently pull on the needle thread, which will bring a loop of the bobbin thread up above the needle plate.
You can use a pair of scissors or something similar to gently tease the bobbin thread out and take it to the back of the machine with the needle thread.
Sewing with the Janome 230DC
The machine will automatically be set up for a straight stitch.
To start stitching place your fabric under the foot and lower the presser foot.
Extra Presser Foot Lift
It's worth mentioning here - there is an extra presser foot lift on this machine so if you're working with thick or bulky fabrics you've got some extra room there to manoeuvre your fabric under the foot.
Reverse Stitch Button
To start by securing your stitches there's a reverse button.
Hold the button down as you sew and the machine will sew backwards. Let go of the reverse button and the machine will continue sewing in the normal way.
Target Button
If you prefer a fix stitch you can press the target button and the machine will sew several stitches on the same spot to secure the stitching.
The fix stitch can also be used when you're sewing decorative stitches and it will ensure that the last full pattern is completed before the stitching is secured.
Needle Up Down
Another great feature on this machine is the needle up down button.
This allows you to decide whether you want to stop with the needle down in the fabric or up above the fabric when you finish sewing a seam.
Finishing with the needle in the down position is great for things like pivoting corners. You can stop sewing, raise the foot and move the fabric without fear of the fabric moving out of line with the stitches. Then lower the foot again and continue stitching.
It's also great when you're working on something where you want to be really accurate and you want to be very careful about where you're placing your stitches because you can stop multiple times, raise the foot and check everything is where you want it to be.
Sliding Speed Control
The sliding speed control is also incredibly helpful when you need precision and accuracy.
If you want to really slow your sewing down to be sure you're getting it right you can move the sliding control to the minimum speed and no matter how hard you press on the foot control, it will only ever sew at the slowest rate.
Stop Start Button
The Janome 230 DC also gives you the option to sew without the foot control.
To do this unplug the foot control and use the start stop button. Press it once to start sewing and press it again to stop sewing.
Use the sliding speed control to choose the speed at which the machine sews.
The Control Panel
Selecting different stitches is so easy to do.
The stitches are listed on a handy chart on the front of the machine and are numbered 0 - 29.
Use the arrows next to the control panel to make the relevant changes.
The first number shows us which stitch we've selected and it also tells us which foot to use with that particular stitch, which is really helpful especially for beginners.
The next number on the panel tells us how wide the stitch will be in millimetres and the next number tells us the length of the stitch in millimetres.
When choosing a stitch you can also adjust the first number to select the tens then adjust the second number to select the units rather than working your way from 0 - 29, making it much quicker and easier to select the higher numbered stitches.
To override the width and the length of the stitch on certain stitches you can use the arrow again to move across then reduce or increase the width or length.
The ability to change the width and length is so useful for so many sewing tasks. For example, you might want to make a zig zag stitch wider so that you can use it to cover an area on some fabric or you might want to lengthen a straight stitch to sew a tacking stitch making the stitches easy to rip out when you're having a practice run or testing for fit.
Changing the Presser Foot
To change the presser foot press the black button on the back of the needle bar and the foot will be released. To replace it with an alternative foot, line the bar on the top of the foot up with the groove on the bottom of the needle bar and click it into place.
15 Needle Positions
The Janome 230DC also comes with several needle positions. Once you've selected the straight stitch you can use the stitch width option to move the needle to the left or to the right and there are actually 15 different positions available with this machine.
You might be wondering when you would use needle positions, but this feature is incredibly useful for so many different sewing tasks.
For example if you want to sew a zip, changing the needle position will help you to get much closer to the teeth. Or if you want to sew piping you can position the needle closer to the cord for a snug, neat finish. There are also lots of times when you will want precision and accuracy when placing and positioning your stitches and the needle positions allow you to do this.
Accessory Case/Free Arm Sewing
There's a handy accessory case for storing feet and bobbins, which also removes from the machine and gives you a free arm, which is a very helpful feature for when you're working on items that require you to sew in the round like a cuff, sleeve or a neckline.
The free arm means you can slide the fabric over the end of the free arm and it just makes it much easier to work with the fabric and reduces the risk of stitching in the wrong place or accidentally sewing things together incorrectly.
Free Extension Table
Once the accessory tray is removed it also enables you to attach the free extension table, which is a brilliant feature of this machine. Normally you would have to purchase an extension table separately, but with the Janome 230DC it is included.
An extension table is such a useful accessory to have because it increases your work area, which is brilliant for when you're working on larger projects like quilts or coats or if you're working with something like a stretch fabric and you're worried about the weight of the fabric stretching it out of shape as you sew. The extension table gives you more area for support, which will prevent that from happening.
Dropping the Feed Dogs for Free Motion Embroidery
At the back of the machine you have the option to drop the feed dogs.
Slide the lever across and you'll notice the feed dogs drop beneath the needle plate. This enables you to sew free motion embroidery where you can move the fabric in any direction as you sew, effectively drawing with the thread to create patterns and pictures on your fabric.
What's in the Box?
In the box you will find everything you would expect: a detailed instruction manual, a foot control, some spare bobbins, needles, a screwdriver, a brush, but you'll also get the free extension table and a hard cover which are things that aren't always included with a machine at this level.
You will also find six feet, which will allow you to complete all of the standard sewing techniques you'd expect and to start stretching your sewing skills with some more specialized techniques:
- a standard zigzag foot
- a zipper foot
- an over edge foot for finishing and neatening seams
- a satin stitch foot for decorative stitches
- an automatic buttonhole foot and
- a blind hem foot
What We Loved about the Janome 230DC
We loved the fact the Janome 230DC came with a free extension table and hard cover, which are so rarely included with a machine at this price point.
Additional Accessories and Feet
If you'd like to take those skills even further there's a wide range of spares and accessories available on our site where you can purchase things like a walking foot or an invisible zipper foot for example.
Look for the Janome category B accessories and feet and they will be compatible with the Janome 230DC.
Warranty
All of our sewing machines come with a full manufacturer's warranty so that's two years with the Janome 230 DC.
In the unlikely event that you have a problem just get in touch, very often we find problems can be resolved over the phone, but if that's not the case we'll organize to collect the machine and do everything for you.
Price
We offer the best prices but if you do see a machine cheaper somewhere else don't hesitate to get in touch and we'll be happy to help.
Delivery
Your new machine will arrive the next working day, free of charge by courier with a dedicated time slot so you know exactly when to expect it.
We hope you've enjoyed learning more about this wonderful machine, but if you have any further questions don't hesitate to contact us, we love talking about sewing machines as you can probably tell!
If you do decide to go ahead we're always here to support you afterwards with any support you might need to get the best out of your machine and your sewing.
Have fun sewing!
Lucy
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