Janome Xpression Review

Learning opportunities are all around us and when I visited the Sunshine Sewing Center in Margate, Florida to review the Janome Xpression, I learned a whole lot more than I expected.

The Janome Xpression FM 725 is not just a sewing machine. In fact, it isn’t a sewing machine at all. It is a multi needle felting machine that is used to embellish clothing and home décor items. The needles are completely different, with tiny barbs that make the felting process possible.

At A Glance

To look at it, the Janome Xpression appears to be pretty much like any other sewing machine in the store. Upon closer examination, however, I noticed the eye guard, the oversized clear presser foot and the very different cluster of five needles where I expected to see just a single, twin or triple needle.

Features

The Janome Xpression is equipped with a set of features that are probably completely foreign to people who are accustomed to regular sewing machines:

• Free arm
• Five-hole needle plate with five needle unit
• Single-hole needle plate
• Single needle unit
• Easy clean lint box
• See-through adjustable presser foot
• See-through finger guard
• Bright working light
• Durable metal construction

Working on the Janome Xpression

There is no thread path and no bobbin because thread is not necessary to attach yarn, wool fiber, appliqués or other items. The barbs on the needles push the elements through the fabric and they are locked in place.

For this review, Faye Nichol, owner of the Sunshine Sewing Center treated me just as if I were a customer. It’s a good thing too, because when it came to this machine, I felt like a fish out of water.

I watched as Faye laid colorful wool fiber, and shiny fiberglass filament on a piece of black cotton to create a most amazing flower. That wasn’t all.

Faye showed me several other pieces she created on the Xpression, including an aquarium made with yarn, appliqués, wool fiber on a blue denim background and several other pieces, including a design she created on silk dupioni using nothing at all. The results looked remarkably like smocking.

Although no thread is used in the felting process, the punching or piercing produces lots of lint. There is an empty chamber beneath the needle plate that must be cleared of lint on a regular basis in order to maintain proper operation of the Xpression.

Fabrics

[list-yes-no]

• Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool
• Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet
• Knits(Medium to heavyweight only)
• Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester
• Upholstery
• Leather/suede
• Fur
• Reptile skin
• Canvas/Twill
• Plastic/Rubber
• Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers

[/list-yes-no]

Accessories

The list of standard accessories that come with the Janome Xpression FM 725 includes:

• Screwdriver
• Hexagonal wrench
• Single hole needle plate
• 5-Needle unit
• Single needle unit
• Single needles
• Lint brush
• Owner’s manual

Maintenance

[feature-table “After each use” “Monthly*” “Once Each Year**” “As Needed”]
[feature-value yes no no no]Clean race hook and feed dogs[/feature-value]
[feature-value no no no yes]Wipe head with soft dry cloth[/feature-value]
[feature-value no no no yes]Wipe head with soft damp cloth[/feature-value]
[feature-value no no no yes]Lubricate[/feature-value]
[feature-value no no no yes]Service by sewing machine repair professional[/feature-value]
[/feature-table]

[extra-data]
[left]* more often if the machine is used for extended periods of time or if used frequently[/left]
[right]**more often if the machine is used heavily or if it is not operating properly[/right]
[/extra-data]

Tying Off The Loose Ends

The Janome Xpression is a single purpose machine that is ideal for the home sewer who loves to add that special embellishment touch to jackets, bags and home décor items. The smocking effect that Faye produced on the silk dupioni would be an ideal accent for a blouse or dress.

You can use the Xpression to attach appliqués as well as yarn, fabric patches and just about anything you can think of with the exception of hard items like beads, sequins and shells.

Janome offers wool fiber in a wide assortment of colors. Faye also used Angelina Fiber Press in several of the designs she shared with me.

If you aren’t familiar with this particular item, it can be used straight out of the pouch or held under the iron to bind the fibers together. The longer you apply heat, the thicker the bound fibers will be.

If you like embellishing your work and have the space for a single purpose machine, I think you will be very happy with the Janome Xpression FM 725.

This machine is not only affordable and easy to operate and maintain, the only limit to what you can accomplish is your own imagination.

The things you can create on the Janome Xpression cannot be duplicated on an embroidery or quilting machine. It’s a unique machine that gives you access to a whole new world of creative fun.