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Janome MB-7 Review (2023 Update)
Note from the Editor: This Janome MB-7 review was originally written in 2016, and has been revised and updated in 2023. We have added alternatives such as Brother SE1900, Brother PE545 , and Brother PE535.
During a visit to Sunshine Sewing and Quilting, I had an opportunity to review the Janome MB-7, a seven needle embroidery machine designed for home use. No doubt, this machine could also be used in a home-based business as well as a professional embroidery studio where it is not the only machine in the shop.
Janome MB-7 Overview
MB7 is a very high end industrial grade device that has got it all. There is not much that it can not do. You think, and it does it. For features, the MB7 comes with an impressive 6 LED lamps built over the needle area. It also packs 50 inbuilt designs and 10 different fonts for monogramming. You can transfer your designs via USB. There are three different formats available for your embroidery designs and the device runs at a decent 800SPM.
The very first thing I noticed on the Janome MB-7 was the optional remote computer screen. When attached, it is capable of giving the user a visual image of the 50 onboard designs and monogramming fonts along with a read-out of the thread colors, the time it takes to complete the design, and the number of stitches required for each color.
The bobbin housing is located directly beneath the needles. There is also a separate bobbin winding motor, which can be engaged while the MB-7 is creating an embroidery design.
The model I reviewed was sitting atop an optional MB-4 table, which is very conveniently designed with shelves, drawers with racks to hold thread cones and all the other accessories one might need when working on either the MB-7 or the MB-4.
What are some alternatives for Janome MB-7?
Janome MB-7 is a commercial embroidery machine priced on the higher side. Here are some similar alternatives.
If you are looking for the best sewing and embroidery machine, then Brother SE1900 Sewing and Embroidery is the one. The features of this particular embroidery tool exceed your expectations by offering you a 5’’ x 7’’ area for embroidery so you can move ahead with larger designs without starting afresh. This is not all; you will also see 138 built-in embroidery designs, a color touchscreen, and 240 sewing stitches, making it irresistible for you to scroll past this instrument.
If you are actively searching for an embroidery machine that is both compact and has user-friendly options, then we highly recommend you use the Brother PE545 Embroidery Machine. Why? The machine promises to amaze you with its amazing features that exist in the shape of a 3.7-inch color touchscreen, which lets you select designs easily and continue on-screen editing as well. The story does not end here, as you can enjoy using 135 built-in designs and the option of wireless connectivity. You can import your favorite designs through Brother’s Design Database Transfer if the existing patterns fail to appeal to you. Hence, you will find the machine irresistible to ignore.
- Affordable
- Compact design to easily use in smaller spaces
- The 4’’ x 4’’ embroidery area proves to be great for customizing clothes, accessories, and home decoration.
- Automatic needle threading
- Top-drop bobbin to save time, simplify your embroidery and reduce irritation.
- Single embroidery size
- Lack of sewing capability may upset sewing passionate
- Lack of versatility
In the list of 8 best embroidery machines, Brother PE535 Embroidery Machine secures the second position. The device can attract you through its compact structure and user-friendly embroidery-only design, letting you add your personal touch to whatever fabrics you plan to use for embroidery. Apart from that, the machine has built-in 80 embroidery designs and nine font options, making it super versatile. Plus, you will also see the intuitive 3.2-inch color touchscreen for easier previewing and correcting, where necessary. There is also a USB port that allows you to import innovative designs to unleash your creative side.
What are the features on Janome MB-7?
- 7″ Remote Computer Screen (RCS)
- Extra large bobbin
- 6 white LED lamps
- 50 built-in designs
- 10 monogramming fonts
- 2 and 3 letters monogramming
- Maximum embroidery area 9.4″ x 7.9″
- USB port
- Maximum embroidery speed 800 stitches per minute
- Programmable jump thread trimming
- Flexible stitch traveling
- Auto return after a thread break
- Adjustable hoop positioning
- 2 Sensors
- Upper thread
- Presser’s foot
- Stitch-out time indicator
- Stitch counter
- Independent bobbin winder
- Embroidery area tracing
Working on the Janome MB-7
While threading the Janome MB-7 is quite easy, winding and inserting the bobbin is not quite as simple. Properly inserting the new open bobbin case presented a little bit of a challenge, but after several references to the owner’s manual, Fay Nicoll, owner of Sunshine Sewing and Quilting and I were able to figure it out.
The trick is to carefully follow each step exactly as written in the manual. In all honesty, that is the only difference between setting up the new MB-7 and its predecessor, the MB-4.
If the optional remote computer screen is not attached, the Janome MB-7 can be connected to a desktop or laptop computer via the USB cable that is included as a standard accessory. Embroidery designs and all the other data that appears on the remote computer screen will appear on the computer monitor.
Even with the removable Janome optional remote computer screen in place, you can import an embroidery design from our computer via a USB port on the side of the removable screen.
Like the MB-4, the Janome MB-7 sews monograms, one of 50 onboard embroidery designs, or an embroidery design downloaded from the internet at speeds up to 800 stitches per minute. In the interest of time, I selected a small two-color design for this review.
The Janome MB-7 is solid and although not as quiet as many home embroidery machines, it is quieter than I had expected for a machine of its size. The actual stitch-out when completed was crisp and clean with even, well-formed stitches throughout.
Which fabrics work on the Janome MB-7?
| 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) Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers Upholstery | Leather/suede Fur Reptile skin Canvas/Twill Plastic/Rubber |
What accessories come with the Janome MB-7?
Standard accessories:
- Open the metal bobbin
- 3 Embroidery hoops and grids
- Seam Ripper
- Instructional DVD
- Spool pads
- USB cable
- Owner’s manual
- M1: 9.4″ x 7.9″
- M2: 5″ x 4.3″
- M3: 2″ x 2″
Optional accessories:
- Remote computer screen
- Bobbin Cases (multi-needle embroidery)
- CD-Rom Drive
- Lettering Hoop Holder Unit
- MB-4 Support Table
- Needle Threader
- Embroidery needles
- Lettering hoops:
- 1 J7 (110mm x 95mm)
- 2 J6 (66mm x 66mm)
- 3 J5 (25mm x 54mm)
- 6 J2 (25 mm x 54mm)
- 7 J8 #7 (120mm x 121mm)
- 8 J4 (42mm x 67mm)
- 9 J6 (66mm x 66mm)
- 11 J1 (30mm)
- 12 J1 (30mm)
- 13 J3 (64mm x 28mm)
- Sock Hoop Kit
- Spool stand
How to maintain the Janome MB-7?
| 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 |
Summary: Janome MB-7 Review
The MB-7 is the next generation of the multi-needle embroidery machine from Janome. When compared to the Janome MB-4, the MB-7 can deliver embroidery designs faster with its capacity to work with up to seven threads while the MB-4 can handle only 4.
The MB-7 weighs 50 pounds, approximately five pounds more than the MB-4. The MB-7 allows users to resize, rotate and flip embroidery designs as well as group, re-edit, combine and duplicate designs. With the MB-4 users can perform all of these tasks except grouping and duplicating designs.
Both machines come with 50 onboard embroidery designs and 10 monogramming fonts. They both have a maximum embroidery field of 9.4” x 7.9”, come with three embroidery hoops as standard accessories and both machines are compatible with JEF; JEF+, and DST embroidery formats.
The only other difference I could detect between the two machines is the fact that the MB-7 comes with that open bobbin case and the MB-4 has a standard bobbin case.
I honestly cannot say why the manufacturer switched to the open bobbin case. In my opinion, it is the only flaw in the design. As Fay and I struggled with inserting the bobbin so that it seated properly and did not create birds’ nests, I couldn’t help but wonder why in the world it didn’t have a closed bobbin case.
If you ask me, an open bobbin case is a) a chicken way of trying to save a few cents in production costs; and b) a good way to create unnecessary headaches with birds’ nests and worse in the bobbin area. If you are not careful when winding and inserting the bobbin, you could potentially create a very bad situation which might very well result in you taking land your MB-7 in for servicing.
As I said in the above section, however, when you follow the instructions to the letter, the bobbin goes in and works perfectly. It’s just a matter of mastering a new technique. No doubt, people who are not as accustomed to working with traditional closed bobbin cases will have much greater ease in getting acclimated to working with this new type of bobbin case.
I do not doubt that some people will say that the Janome MB-7 is a machine that can be used by beginners. I disagree because I believe that knowing more than just the basics of sewing machine operation will make learning to use this machine much easier.
Someone with little or no sewing machine knowledge or experience, even an adult, will have a very difficult time learning how to work with any machine with this many needles. Anyone who has never used a sewing machine or has no experience with machine embroidery at all should first start with a single needle machine before even attempting to use a multi-needle embroidery machine.
If your sewing skills are strong enough, and you are a machine embroidery enthusiast, you might very well be a viable candidate for moving up to the Janome MB-7. The only other consideration, in my opinion, is space. If your sewing room is large enough to accommodate a traditional size sewing machine, you will be able to accommodate the MB-7 with a very little adjustment to your sewing space.
The Janome MB-7 is not for everybody. I do not recommend it for anyone who is beginning to create machine embroidery projects. Nor do I recommend it for anyone who is not serious about machine embroidery and only engages in machine embroidery on an occasional basis.
I do, however, believe the Janome MB-7 is an excellent choice for anyone who spends at least 50 percent of their time in the sewing room on machine embroidery projects of all sizes.
Before deciding to add the Janome MB-7 to your sewing room, however, you should first visit our authorized Janome dealer. Ask a sales associate for a demonstration and see for yourself if this is, indeed, the multi-needle embroidery machine for you.
Janome MB-7 Review
Summary
The Janome MB-7 is a seven-needle embroidery machine that is known for its versatility and its ability to create high-quality embroidery. It has 50 built-in embroidery designs, and you can also import your own designs using the machine’s USB port. The machine also has a number of features that make it easy to use, such as a needle threader, a bobbin winder, and a touch screen display. The Janome MB-7 is a good option for sewers and embroiderers of all levels who want a machine that can create high-quality embroidery.
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Happy Stitching.
I am loving my machine! My only problem is depending on my design I am only able to 5 or 6 of my needles any help with this would be wonderful.
I will surely be recommending this machine to my friends
I have had my MB7 since December 2016. I am pleased with its performance. I have had no issues with the open bobbin case. The owners guide is very explicit in how to thread and insert the bobbin and case. I am at a disadvantage that I run a different software than the Digitizer 5. I can only use a USB to load my designs. I would like to see more of where I can see the opitional hoops at work. I do lots of monogramming and am wondering the these hoops would be profitable. I give this machine a thumbs up and can’t wait to get it into my new sewing room that is being constructed for me.
Are there any tutorial videos for the Janome MB-7? I am a beginner and would love to learn.
The one dissapointnent that i see on the MB7 is that the hoop size hasnt been made bigger aa many MB4 users would have considered upsizing this was a very poor over sight on Janome. Had they done this i would have seriously considered this machine untill i was in a position to get a Tjarma 15 needle but wont bother as its not that much bigger than what i already have.
I like your review, it helped a lot. So… in your opinion would you recommend the EMB 7 to me, here is my background.
I have a Janome Memory Craft 11000. I have loved it, but I do think it is hard on it to do a lot of embroidery and on things such as jeans.
I was leaning toward a Janome EMB only machine thinking that it would have some of the same design features, be compatible with the designs I already have, basically kind of have the same brains as to what I am accustomed to already.
Also wondering on hoop sizes, I bought the biggest one available for the MC11 that I can do a pant leg (moving it), but the picture of EMB 7 accessories don’t show very big hoops and that is one upgrade I would like.
What say you? Do you think I would need to make a baby jump to EMB 4 first or do you think that the EMB 7 is not too much?
Thanks for your input.