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Janome 8002D Review (2023 update)
Note from Editor: This Janome 8002D review was originally written in 2014, revised. It has been reviewed and revised in 2023 with more information about the serger and alternatives to the Janome 8002D, such as Singer S0230, Lumina Sienna and the Brother 1034D, that you can look at.
I had an opportunity to review the Janome 8002D serger on a recent trip to Stuart Sew and Vac. Anytime I take a trip to Jensen Beach, Florida to visit Stuart Sew and Vac, I am not disappointed. Needless to say, this visit was once again, well worth the trip. This is a serger that I had been watching for a little while and heard good things about, but had not been able to get my hands on.
Janome 8002D serger – Overview
The Janome 8002D serger is an easy-to-use serger device with the ability to perform really fast. With its high-speed and precision, you can create professional-looking edges and seams in minutes. The machine features a 3 or 4 thread overlock stitching capability, allowing you to finish raw edges, create rolled hems, and add decorative edges to your projects.
The Janome 8002D also has a differential feed system, which helps prevent puckering and stretching of the fabric. It allows you to adjust the ratio of the differential feed to suit different types of fabrics. The machine also has an adjustable cutting width and stitch length, allowing you to customize your sewing to fit your project.
The Janome 8002D is also easy to use, with color-coded threading guides and a built-in thread cutter. The machine comes with a range of accessories, such as spare needles, screwdrivers, and tweezers, making it a complete package for your sewing needs.
Overall, the Janome 8002D is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a reliable and versatile serger that can handle a wide range of sewing projects. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced sewer, this machine is sure to meet your needs and exceed your expectations.
Janome 8002D Features
To look at it, the Janome 8002D is rather nondescript. The only thing about this serger that jumped out at me was the interesting pattern on the looper door.
Upon opening the looper door, however, I discovered a very easy to follow threading guide and the fact that there is no space inside for storing much needed, often used serger supplies.
I had become accustomed to seeing plastic holders for standard supplies like needles, tweezers and a lint brush at the very least, but the Janome 8002D had none of those. A decal displaying the thread tension guide for all four thread positions is instead.
In addition the Janome 8002D also has a seam guide, a retractable blade, adjustable stitch length and width, a differential feed and an on board thread cutter.
The features that you can count on
- Built in thread cutter
- Differential feed
- Rolled hem changeover device
- Use 3 or 4 threads and 1 or 2 needles
- Color coded threading guide
- Snap on presser feet
- Retractable knife
- Adjustable presser foot pressure
Working on the Janome 8002D
When compared with other sergers in its price range, threading the Janome 8002D is surprisingly easy… so easy, in fact, that using the tweezers is almost unnecessary. Setting it up to sew is just as easy. The stitches are well formed and the machine is lightening fast. There is a little bit more noise than I am comfortable with, but practically no vibration at all.
The seam guide is clearly displayed in raised numbers on the left edge of the looper door and is easy to use, even when working at a rapid pace. One thing that must be noted, however, is that the Janome 8002D requires that you use only HA-ISP #11 – 14 needles.
Alternative budget serger options
The Singer S0230, Lumina Sienna and the Brother 1034D are great budget alternatives to the Janome 8002D
The Singer S0230 HD Serger transforms sewing with its time-saving capabilities. Seam and seam finish are effortlessly combined and trimmed simultaneously, streamlining your projects. With the flexibility of using 2, 3, or 4 threads and a Color-Coded Threading System, this serger caters to various stitch combinations. The Differential Feed ensures smooth sewing on stretchy fabrics without distortion, while the Built-in Free Arm facilitates precise work on small sleeves and cuffs. Operating at 1,300 stitches per minute, this serger ensures professional results, making it an ideal choice for garments, children's clothing, and more.
- 2, 3, or 4 threading capability
- Simple to use
- Reasonably priced
- Very high sewing speed
- Highly durable
- Changing needles is challenging
- Some users face problems while hemming
- Problematic blade
The Lumina Sienna Serger proves to be a straightforward device, making it simple for users to grasp and operate when finishing garment edges. Ideal for beginners, its user-friendly design boasts a color-coded threading system and factory pre-threading, ensuring hassle-free setup. This semi-industrial serger excels in heavy-duty overlocking, achieving 1250 stitches per minute. Its adjustable stitch length, ranging from 1/8'' to 1/4'', provides control and versatility for various projects. Crafted with a robust metal frame, the Lumina Sienna remains stable during use, making it perfect for sewers seeking durability in a compact serger. With LED lighting and automatic fabric trimming, it proves to be a comprehensive solution for making one-of-a-kind garments.
- Great price point
- Good for sewing different thicknesses
- User-friendly and easy to learn
- Heavy and durable
- Manual threading may be challenging
- No cover stitch function
The Brother 1034D Serger stands out as a high-performance companion for beginner sewing enthusiasts. With a robust metal frame, it effortlessly handles multiple layers of denim and other heavy materials. Offering a 3/4 lay-in thread system and versatile stitch options, including overlock, narrow hem, and more, this serger provides professional finishes. Operating at 1,300 stitches per minute, it ensures efficiency without compromising precision. The F.A.S.T. lower looper threading system simplifies thread changes, while the color-coded guides make threading a breeze. Equipped with three snap-on feet, including standard, gathering, and blind stitch, the 1034D offers versatility and ease of use.
- Easy to thread
- Fast and efficient
- Sturdy and well-made
- Can perform seam repairs, alterations, and hems
- The machine may suddenly break down after using it for a short time
Fabrics
| Fabrics that work | Fabrics that don’t work |
|---|---|
| Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet Knits Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester Upholstery |
Accessories
Although there is no place to store them on board, the Janome 8002D comes with the following standard accessories:
- Set of needles
- 2 screwdrivers (1 large/1small)
- Tweezers
Maintenance tips for Janome 8002D
| 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 | Yes |
| Service by sewing machine repair professional | No | No | No | Yes |
Summary: Janome 8002D
When it comes to sergers, I must say, the Janome 8002D is one of the easiest to operate that I have reviewed to date. I have no hesitation recommending this one for use by children as young as nine or ten. It is easy to thread – which is always the most challenging part of working on any serger. The large dials that control the differential feed and the size of the stitches are easy for small hands to manipulate as well as older hands that may be challenged by arthritis.
This brings me to another point. There are lots of people out there who for one reason or another stopped sewing while focusing on careers or raising families and are now returning to the craft. Although these individuals may have had many years experience working on sewing machines, they may not have had any prior experience with sergers until now.
The Janome 8002D is an excellent introductory serger for the home sewer who has many years of sewing experience, but never before attempted to use a serger. It is user friendly and learning to use it will take only a few minutes for anyone who has already mastered the use of a sewing machine. It is also an ideal choice for the college student or for the person who works primarily with knits and athletic wear. The stitch quality is excellent.
The solid feel and virtual lack of vibration while working on the Janome 8002D makes this one of the most pleasant serging experiences any home sewer could wish for. While I prefer a quieter machine, the Janome 8002D is not excessively noisy. While it may be a bit of a challenge to hold a telephone conversation while sewing, you will definitely be able to listen to music or even have the television at a normal volume level while working. To be honest, I was a bit surprised to discover that there is no place inside the looper door for frequently used serging supplies – especially needles, tweezers and lint brush.
These are essential and in my opinion take away from the overall superiority of this machine’s efficiency. I love the way it operates, and am very pleased with the end results. Any sewing machine or serger, however, must also be efficient and designed in such a way as to make the sewing experience a pleasant and time saving one. While not having the supplies at your fingertips may seem like a very small inconvenience, for me it raises questions like… “What in the world were they thinking?”
I don’t know about everyone who reads my reviews, but I do know that my time is precious and sometimes the time I have to devote to sewing is very limited. I like to be able to get as much done as efficiently as possible without sacrificing quality. This means I need machines that are designed with quality workmanship as well as efficiency in mind.
Not having the accessories on board is not a deal breaker in my book, but it is definitely something to take into consideration if you are an extremely busy person. Besides, if you are one of those people whose sewing room is not the best organized or – let’s just say it – if you have one of those extremely cluttered sewing rooms, then you need to have a serger that helps you keep things that you will need to use that serger close at hand at all times. Who wants to be digging through bags, boxes and who knows what when it’s time to replace a needle?
Aside from that one issue, I sincerely believe the Janome 8002D is a wonderful machine that will serve anyone who has it in their sewing room well. If you think you can work around that one truly minor challenge, then my advice is to definitely take a long hard look at the Janome 8002D before making a decision to bring a new serger into your home. Not only is it easy to thread and easy to maintain, the Janome 8002D produces great stitch quality, is affordable with an MSRP of only $399, and is built to last, guaranteeing you many, many years of great service.
If you are an advanced sewist, have a look at our best sewing machines, best sewing books and best sewing magazines posts and if you are looking to get a mechanical, heavy duty, quilting or industrial sewing machine, have a look at some of our great articles. If you are a beginner sewist, review our best sewing books for beginners, best sewing machines for beginners and best sewing machines under $200 to get started.
For brand related articles, check Best Bernette | Best Bernina | Best Brother | Best Husqvarna Viking | Best Janome | Best Juki | Best Singer |
For best accessories, check Best Chairs | Best tables | Best tracing paper | Best machine oils | Best scissors and shears | Best presser feet | Best needles | Best sewing kits |
Happy Stitching.
Janome 8002D review
Summary
There aren’t many sergers out there that I would recommend for use by children, but the Janome 8002D is an exception. This serger is easy to thread, easy to maintain and one of the most user friendly sergers I have had the pleasure to review. Learning to use the Janome 8002D is, in my opinion, easy for youngsters as well as those who are returning to sewing after a lengthy hiatus and just starting to venture into the world of serging.
Other Janome Machines you may like
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Janome QC 6260 Review
When I reviewed a friend’s Janome QC 6260, it was very easy to see why she refuses to let it out of the house. This machine was purchased in 2006, gets lots and lots of use and it still works as great as it did when she first brought it home and unpacked it.
Janome 1600P-QC Review
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Janome Skyline S9 Review (2023 update)
The Janome Skyline S9 is the newest addition to the popular line of Janome Skyline sewing machines. Many Janome dealers are discovering that it is difficult keeping the S7. I have no doubt that they will experience the same with the S9 – the first sewing, quilting and embroidery machine in this line. The S9 is whisper quiet, solidly built and so user friendly that I believe it will be a good choice for people who are sewing for the very first time. Although it is not a machine that I recommend for use by children, it is an excellent option for the student who is in their teens or older.
Janome Memory Craft 500E Review (2023 update)
It took years for Janome to come up with a replacement for the Memory Craft 350E. According to Fay Nichol, owner of Sunshine Sewing and Quilting in Margate, Florida, the 500E is well worth the long wait. She was so excited about this machine that she invited me to review it as soon as it arrived. In my opinion, the Janome Memory Craft 500E is an excellent, well-built embroidery only machine. It has but one limitation that I was able to observe. Unlike many other embroidery only machines that I have been able to review, anyone who invests in the 500E will not have the freedom of adjusting the size of their embroidery designs beyond 20% above or below the original design setting.
Janome HD 3000 Review (2023 update)
If you like mechanical sewing machines, you just might love this one. The Janome HD 3000 has all of the great features of a solid, metal mechanical sewing machine as well as lots of the conveniences you would expect to find on a computerized sewing machine.
If you are an advanced sewist, have a look at our best sewing machines, best sewing books and best sewing magazines posts and if you are looking to get a mechanical, heavy duty, quilting or industrial sewing machine, have a look at some of our great articles. If you are a beginner sewist, review our best sewing books for beginners, best sewing machines for beginners and best sewing machines under $200 to get started.
For brand related articles, check Best Bernette | Best Bernina | Best Brother | Best Husqvarna Viking | Best Janome | Best Juki | Best Singer |
For best accessories, check Best Chairs | Best tables | Best tracing paper | Best machine oils | Best scissors and shears | Best presser feet | Best needles | Best sewing kits |
Happy Stitching.
Great review! It should, however, be noted that there IS on board storage at least for the tweezers that come with this machine. On the inside of the looper cover door, just above the thread diagram, there are four plastic “posts”. The tweezers slide into these horizontally and are held securely. You can see the posts clearly in your photographs, but they are not in the diagrams in the instruction book or even mentioned, so I am sure a lot of people are unaware of this feature. When I realized that the posts had nothing to do with the door latching, I figured out that the tweezers fit on them….now, on to learning how to use my new serger!
Well spotted Mary Beth, I hadn’t seen those posts. I bought mine today and feel like a kid with a new toy.
Thank you! I was just looking at those posts on my machine and wondering what they were for when I saw your post.
I just purchased one…..I’m new to serging, and the class online I’m taking recommended changing out the thread colors. Darned if this lower looper is throwing me quite literally for a loop getting it threaded! =) So when you say easy to thread, I’m taken back.
Watch the video Collin! And use your tweezers! It may take you a couple of tries but don’t give up – this was my first serger and it didn’t take me long to get the hang of it! I’ve had it for almost a year now and I’m so glad that I bought it!
Thank you!!! I figured it out a bit after I posted! I was making it harder on myself somehow, but I’ve got it now!
can anyone help me with the rolled hem function. changed over really easier but cannot get the tension anywhere near right! I must be doing something basically wrong!!
Purchased one last week here in Australia.. I’m wondering how to do a bling hem ??
Hi, What is the difference between the 8002D and 8002DX please?
Can anyone tell me how to adjust the width of the stitches. Tried everything and nothing makes a difference.
I know this is old thread but I am hoping someone sees me. I am trying to work out how to have 3 thread 2 needles. I believe I need a 2 thread converter but I have no idea and can not find anything about this. Any advise would be greatly appreciated.