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Janome Hello Kitty 18750 Review (2023 Update)
Note from the Editor: This review was originally written in 2013 and has been revised and updated in 2023. This model has now been discontinued. We have added alternatives such as Janome Hello Kitty KT35, Brother CP100X, and Brother CS7000X .
When I reviewed the Janome Hello Kitty 18750 at Ace Sewing and Vacuum in Pompano Beach, Florida, my belief that computerized sewing machines should not be used by children was shaken.
When you are in the market for a sewing machine for a child, you want to make sure you are getting one that is not only easy to learn, but you want the most user friendly machine you can find. This is possibly the most kid friendly computerized sewing machine I have seen.
Janome Hello Kitty 18750 Overview
The Janome Hello Kitty 18750 is a versatile and user-friendly sewing machine that offers a range of features to enhance your sewing experience. With 50 built-in stitches, including essential and decorative stitches, this machine allows you to create a variety of sewing projects. The machine also comes equipped with a one-step buttonhole feature, making it easy to create perfectly sized buttonholes. The top-loading bobbin system is easy to use and allows you to quickly change out the bobbin.
The Janome Hello Kitty 18750 also features a drop feed system that allows you to easily switch from sewing in a straight line to free-motion quilting. The machine has adjustable stitch length and width, giving you more control over your stitching. The machine also has a built-in needle threader, making it easy to thread the needle without straining your eyes. Additionally, the machine comes with a handy storage compartment for storing your sewing accessories. With its ease of use and wide range of features, the Janome Hello Kitty 18750 is a great choice for both beginners and experienced sewers looking to create high-quality sewing projects.
This model has now been discontinued. We recommend trying out other alternatives we have added to this post.
Without the Hello Kitty logo and lettering, this machine looks an awful lot like the Janome 3160 QDC. The 3160 QDC is a somewhat different machine in that it has a few more stitch options and is built to handle thick quilting jobs.
The dimensions and many of the features, however, appear to be the same. The Hello Kitty 18750 has a stitch selection guide on the front column, a backlit monochromatic LCD screen, a start/stop button, needle up/down button, reverse stitch button and a variable speed slider which uses pictures of a tortoise at the slowest position and a hare to indicate the highest speed rather than the arrow graphics you find on machines built for adult use.
It also has an easy to follow threading guide and an on board accessories case which when removed, gives the user access to a functional free arm and four directional buttons next to the LCD screen to assist with stitch selection and stitch length and width adjustment.
There is a thread cutter on the side of the machine, as well as a see through bobbin cover and the needle plate has a seam guide to the right of the needle.
What are the features on Janome Hello Kitty 18750?
- 50 stitches
- 3 one-step buttonholes
- Manual tension adjustment
- One-hand needle threader
- Slide-On presser feet
- Needle up/down button
- 7-piece feed dog
- Free arm
- Drop feed
- Start/stop button
- Variable speed control slider
- Lock stitch
- Reverse stitch
- Auto-declutch bobbin winder
- Extra high presser foot lift
- Monochromatic LCD screen
- Jam-proof horizontal full rotary bobbin
- Adjustable stitch length and width
Working on the Hello Kitty 18750
A youngster who has never before touched a sewing machine will be able to learn how to wind the bobbin and thread the Hello Kitty 18750 with ease.
Making a stitch selection is as easy as touching the directional buttons next to the backlit LCD screen. Each stitch is shown on the column with a numerical assignment.
To select a stitch, first use the left or right directional button until the underscore is highlighted in the correct position. Then press the up or down button until the number you want appears. Repeat the process for the second position and sew.
If you want to change the default settings for the stitch length or width, merely use the left right directional buttons until the length or width setting is highlighted, the use the up and down buttons to adjust the length or width upward or downward.
The settings are adjusted in increments of .1, an ideal feature, especially when you consider the fact that this is a machine built for use by a child.
The quality of the stitches is comparable to those made on a machine designed and built for an adult… a major advantage for those older kids who might be taking their Hello Kitty 18750 with them when they go away to college.
I like the way this machine feels. The Hello Kitty 18750 definitely doesn’t feel like a sewing machine that was made for children. It is a bit on the noisy side and vibrates a little, but nevertheless has a solid feel to it.
It bears repeating here… if the Hello Kitty logo and name were not on the front, it could be easily mistaken for a variation of the Janome 3160QDC.
What are some alternatives for the Janome Hello Kitty 18750?
We have reviewed several computerized home sewing machines similar to the Janome Hello Kitty 18750 and here are some alternatives we highly recommend.
The Janome Hello Kitty KT 35 sewing machine is a great option for kids who are interested in learning to sew. It is easy to use and has a variety of features that make it fun and creative. The machine also comes with a variety of accessories, including a Hello Kitty sewing case, so kids can get started right away.
This machine has 12 built-in stitches, including a one-step buttonhole, and a speed control that allows kids to sew at their own pace. It also has a reverse stitch button for backstitching, and a needle threader to make threading the needle easier. The machine is lightweight and portable, making it easy to take with you on the go. It is also a great value for the price, making it a great option for anyone looking for a beginner sewing machine.
The Brother CP100X is a computerized sewing machine designed for both beginners and experienced sewers. It features 100 built-in stitches, including eight styles of one-step buttonholes, and a bright LCD display that shows stitch information and allows you to easily select and adjust your stitches. The machine also includes an automatic needle threading system, which makes threading the needle effortless, and a drop feed for free-motion quilting. The CP100X comes with a variety of convenient features, such as a start/stop button for sewing without a foot pedal, a speed control slider, and a built-in thread cutter. It also includes a range of sewing feet, including a quilting foot, monogramming foot, and zipper foot, among others, to help you tackle a range of sewing tasks. Additionally, the machine includes an extra-wide table for larger projects, a bright LED work area, and a jam-resistant Quick-Set drop-in top bobbin. The CP100X is lightweight and portable, making it easy to take to sewing classes or move around the house. It also includes a hard protective case for storage and transport. Overall, the Brother CP100X is a versatile and reliable machine that offers a range of features to help you complete a variety of sewing projects with ease.
Introducing the sleek and powerful Brother CS7000X Computerized Sewing and Quilting Machine in a dazzling shade of white! Crafted with a sturdy metal frame, this 14-pound powerhouse is designed to effortlessly handle any project you throw at it.
Imagine a world of endless possibilities with 70 built-in stitches that cover everything from utility to decorative, heirloom to quilting, and seven one-step auto-size buttonholes for flawless closures every single time. Tired of fumbling with threads? Say hello to the hassle-free automatic needle threader and top bobbins that never jam!
But wait, there's more! The CS7000X offers an expansive needle-to-arm workspace, making those grand quilting dreams a reality. And don't forget the bonus goodies—a wide table, 10 sewing feet, and a quilt guide—all in the box, ready to fuel your creative fire.
Heading to a sewing class or on a crafting adventure? No problem! This beauty comes with a protective hard case, ensuring your machine stays as pristine as your stitches.
With its fixed needle bar for pinpoint accuracy and a modern design that screams "creativity at its best," the Brother CS7000X is more than a sewing machine; it's your sewing soulmate. Order now and redefine your craft!
- Fantastic for novices
- Simple to use
- Light-weight and transportable
- Includes a wide table
- Unsuitable for heavy materials or free-motion quilting
- Problems with needle placement can occur
- Restricted functionality for knowledgeable users
Which fabrics work on the Janome Hello Kitty 18750?
| Fabrics that work | Fabrics that don’t work |
|---|---|
| Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester Knits(Medium to heavyweight only) Denim | Fur Reptile skin Canvas/Twill Plastic/Rubber Upholstery Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers Leather/suede |
What are the accessories that come with Janome Hello Kitty 18750?
- 4 Presser feet
- Zipper foot
- Buttonhole foot
- Zigzag foot
- Button foot
- Extra bobbins
- Spool pin felt
- Extra needles
- Extra bobbins
- Seam ripper
- Screwdriver
- Lint brush
- Small spool holder
- Large spool holder
- Spool stand
- Instruction manual
- Soft cover
How to maintain the Janome Hello Kitty 18750?
| Maintenance activities | After each use | Monthly | Once each year | As needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clean race hook and feed dogs | Yes | No | No | No |
| Wipe head with soft dry cloth | No | No | No | Yes |
| Wipe head with soft damp cloth | No | No | No | Yes |
| Lubricate | No | No | No | No |
| Service by sewing machine repair professional | No | No | Yes | No |
Janome Hello Kitty 18750 Summary
The Hello Kitty 18750 (official Janome page) is definitely a good option for someone nine or ten years of age or older. This sewing machine is not what I would necessarily call a child’s machine, but of course the Hello Kitty logo and name clearly say that it is.
I like the way it handles. Faye Nicholl, owner of Sunshine Sewing and Quilting in Margate, Florida, told me that she taught her seven year old granddaughter to sew on a Janome 3160QDC.
When she first shared this info with me, I concluded that the little girl only learned to sew on this particular machine because her grandma is a sewing machine maven and held fast to my belief that children should not be allowed to work on computerized sewing machines.
However, after taking a very close look at the Hello Kitty 18750 and comparing it with the 3160QDC, I can see how teaching a youngster to sew on a computerized sewing machine is not only possible, but actually easy to do.
I do not believe little ones younger than seven or eight should be allowed to work on a computerized sewing machine, however. Their little fingers and hands are far better suited for mechanical or electronic machines like the Hello Kitty 15822.
With this in mind, I think the computerized Hello Kitty 18750 is a better choice for the older child. I have seen people in middle and high school with Hello Kitty merchandise.
Having a computerized sewing machine with Hello Kitty emblazoned across the front is more than likely a fashion statement for someone in middle or high school.
So, if you are thinking about purchasing a computerized sewing machine for an older child, take a look at the Hello Kitty 18750. It is affordable; lightweight enough to carry to class and to the dorm; is easy to learn and to maintain; brings computer technology to the sewing room; and the Hello Kitty accents make it a trendy choice.
Purchasing a first sewing machine for someone may seem like an inconsequential act. Far from it. The truth is the first sewing machine a person works on has a great impact upon whether they like to sew or not.
If the young person you are shopping for has never used a sewing machine before, it is entirely possible that working on a machine that is overly complicated or one of inferior quality will turn them against sewing before they even begin.
The gift of a computerized Hello Kitty sewing machine will have the exact opposite effect. In fact, they just might decide that they want to be the next Project Runway All-Star. Receiving a well-made, dependable high performance sewing machine as a gift when they are still very young could make all the difference in the world.
Why not call or visit your local Janome dealer and ask for a demonstration of the Hello Kitty 18750. The staff will be more than happy to assist you.
Janome Hello Kitty 18750 Review
Summary
The Janome Hello Kitty 18750 is a computerized sewing machine that is designed for beginners and intermediate sewers. It has a variety of features, including 50 built-in stitches, 3 one-step buttonholes, automatic needle threader, drop-in bobbin, speed control slider, LED light, backlit LCD screen, free arm, built-in extension table, and Hello Kitty design. It is a great choice for sewers who are looking for a machine that is easy to use and can handle a variety of fabrics and projects. However, it is important to note that the Janome Hello Kitty 18750 does not have as many features as some other machines, so it may not be the best choice for experienced sewers. Additionally, the Hello Kitty design may be too cute for some people.
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Happy Stitching.
