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Juki HZL 355 ZW-A Review (2023 update)
Note from Editor: This Juki HL 355 review was originally written in 2015 and has now been reviewed and revised in 2023. We have also added alternative HZL and mechanical machines such as the Singer Making the Cut M330 and the Brother GX37 for your to check out.
Not long ago, I took a trip to Stuart Sew and Vac in Jensen Beach, Florida to see the newly re-designed store. While there, I had an opportunity to review the Juki HZL 355 ZW-A.
Juki HZL-355ZW Overview
The Juki HZL-355ZW is a compact mechanical sewing machine that will become your indispensable assistant. This simple and easy-to-use machine adjusts to your work and the nature of the material. It boasts a powerful motor that allows you to sew at 750 stitches per minute and work with heavy fabrics. It features an Automatic Needle Threader, drop Feed, White LED Light, Automatic One-Step Buttonholing, Presser Foot, Pressure Adjustment, Free Arm and an accessory box
At A Glance
When I first saw the Juki HZL 355 ZW-A, I instantly thought that it would be a good choice for children to learn the art of sewing.
The warm pink color, the easy to understand stitch selection guide, the large window that displays the stitch setting and the oversized reverse button are not only kid friendly, but user friendly for anyone with a challenge with arthritis or some other sort of mobility challenge.
The drop in bobbin, on board needle threader and large dials that control the thread tension and stitch length and width settings are also designed to make the sewing experience an enjoyable one for children as well as home sewers who like to keep things simple and uncomplicated.
There is also an on board seam guide and a thread cutter on the left side of the machine. The stitch selection dial and buttonhole balance control dial are situated on the right column beneath the balance wheel.
Juki HL 355 ZW Features
- 26 Utility and decorative stitch options
- One 1-step buttonhole
- Manual thread tension adjustment
- Adjustable presser foot pressure
- On board thread cutter
- One step buttonhole
- Buttonhole balance control dial
- Automatic needle threader
- On board accessory storage
- Adjustable stitch length and width
- Large stitch display window
- Reverse stitch lever
- Patten selector dial
- Drop feed
Working on the Juki HZL 355 ZW-A
Easy to following guides on top of the Juki HZL 355 ZW-A make the processes of winding the bobbin and threading easy enough for a child in elementary school to master. Once those tasks are complete, the stitch selection process is equally as easy. All it takes is a turn of the dial on the right side of the machine. The selected stitch appears in the large magnifier window on the column.
While sewing on the Juki HZL 355 ZW-A, I found it to be stable, sturdy and quiet with no noticeable vibration at all. The stitches produced by this machine are well defined, sturdy and secure.
There are not as many stitch options as one would find on a machine with more features; but the stitch options that are available on the Juki HZL 355 ZW-A are all that are needed for basic clothing construction, sewing accessories or for making home décor items such as throw pillows, curtains and table accessories like napkins, table runners, placemats and tablecloths.
Alternative Juki Machines
The Juki HZL-F600 and the Juki F-400 are more advanced alternatives to the Juki HZL 355. Check them out below –
The Juki HZL-F600 takes the lead in the sewing and quilting machine industry. The tool has the potential to impress you with its professional performance and user-friendly features. Why should you invest in this machine? The reason is that it comes ahead with a sturdy motor designed to sew thick materials such as denim and several quilting layers, which other machines fail to do. Furthermore, you can unleash your creative side by making the most out of 255 stitch patterns and 16 buttonholes completely automatic. And do not forget the bonus part: it offers a large working space, bright LED lighting for you to navigate the instructions, and a box feed system to guarantee precision and ease so you can continue with your complicated sewing projects.
- You can sew home decoration items, dresses, and quilts.
- A large LCD screen to simplify your sewing tasks, even if you are a beginner.
- The machine is heavy as it is exactly 21.8 lbs.
- It is expensive.
- The manual is a bit challenging to understand.
The Juki HZL-F400 is an advanced, computerized sewing machine that is perfect for intermediate and experienced sewers. It has 230 built-in stitches, including a variety of straight stitches, zigzag stitches, and decorative stitches. It also has a 1-step buttonhole function, a needle threader, and an automatic thread cutter. The machine is easy to use and operate, with a large, easy-to-read LCD display and a simple control panel. The HZL-F400 is also lightweight and portable, making it easy to take with you to sewing classes or workshops.
Fabrics
| Fabrics that work | Fabrics that don’t work |
|---|---|
| Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet Knits Denim Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester | Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers |
Juki HZL 355 ZW Accessories
Standard accessories:
- 4 Snap on presser feet
- Standard foot
- Zipper foot
- Buttonhole foot
- Button sewing foot
- 2 Screwdrivers (1 large/1 small)
- Spool pin felt
- Seam ripper/lint brush
- Extra needles
- 4 Bobbins
- Quilt guide
- Spool cap
- Auxiliary spool pin
- Hard case
Optional accessories:
- 9 Snap on presser feet
- Decorate stitch foot
- Overcasting foot
- Rolled hemming foot
- Cording foot
- Blind stitch foot
- Quilt foot
- Straight stitch foot
- Gathering foot
- Walking foot
- Twin needle
Maintenance tips for Juki HL 355 ZW
| 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 |
Alternative Mechanical Sewing Machines
Mechanical machines such as the Singer Making the Cut M330 and the Brother GX37 are great alternatives to the Juki HZL 355 ZW. Also, read the best mechanical sewing machines under $100 and $200.
The Singer M3330 Making the Cut Sewing Machine, featured on Amazon Prime's MAKING THE CUT, is the machine you might want to add to your sewing room if you're searching for a reasonably priced sewing machine with enough capabilities for beginners who want to learn how to sew and for advanced sewers who want to make a variety of sewing projects. This machine offers 97 stitch applications, adjustable stitch options, a built-in needle threader and a built-in cutter for efficiency, and "Making the Cut" technology for unique designs. Its one-step buttonhole, LED lighting, and durable metal frame make it perfect for quilting, garment making, and DIY projects. The included essentials make it ideal for project kick-starts.
- Offers 97 stitch applications, suitable for various fabrics and sewing projects
- Full metal frame ensures long-lasting performance, providing stability during use
- Built-in needle threader and one-step buttonhole simplify the sewing process
- Long-lasting LED lighting provides bright, cool-to-touch illumination for precise work
- You won't be able to use this basic sewing machine, if you're a top-tier professional, to work on complex sewing jobs
The Brother GX37 elevates the sewing experience with its user-friendly design and versatility. With 37 built-in stitches, including utility and decorative options, it caters to a spectrum of sewing projects from garment construction to applique. The machine's intuitive features, such as the automatic needle threader and drop-in top bobbin, simplify the stitching process. Ideal for both beginners and intermediate users, the GX37 offers a versatile free arm for various sewing and quilting tasks. The included accessories, from sewing feet to an instructional DVD, make it a comprehensive package. With Brother's enduring support, including online, live chat, or phone assistance, the GX37 is a reliable companion for all sewing enthusiasts.
- Markings to show how to thread the device
- Removable flatbed
- Barely makes any noise
- Conveniently large front dial
- Fresher friendly interface
- Plastic body makes it slightly brittle
Summary: Juki HL 355 ZW
I like the look and feel of the Juki HZL 355 ZW-A. My one and only complaint about the design of this machine is the placement of the drop feed control lever. It is impossible to gain access to the drop feed control lever without first removing the accessories case – which is necessary workspace unless you are using the free arm.
Anyone who has taken the time to read the reviews on this site know that this is my pet peeve with many of the newer sewing machines on the market. Making it necessary to stop and remove the work table in order to gain access to the drop feed control lever is a design flaw that could only be installed by someone who knows sewing machines, but has no idea about their actual use.
In my opinion, anyone who uses a sewing machine in a real sewing room would know that the drop feed control absolutely MUST be easily accessible. Having to stop working to remove the accessories case/work table and put it back in order to successfully accomplish a free motion sewing task is not only time consuming, it is highly inefficient and just plain impractical.
While it is true that going through the process of taking off the accessories case and putting it back to perform a free motion sewing task and putting it back only takes a few seconds, but those few seconds add up when time is of the essence. Everyone has obligations outside the sewing room and the more efficient a sewing machine is, the more we can accomplish with our limited time in the sewing room. I like the easy to use stitch length and width adjustment dials and the presser foot adjustment control.
The placement of the tension adjustment and buttonhole balance control dials is not only user friendly, but ergonomic and efficient. My only wish is that one day I will be able to say the same thing about the drop feed control lever.
My other concern about the Juki HZL 355 ZW-A is the fact that I could not find it on the Juki website. I did, however, find the manual online. The interesting thing is that the primary language in the manual is Japanese.
After scrolling through several pages, I did find English translations of the Japanese language pages in manual. While I have encountered this phenomenon with other machines in the past, I must say that the English translation in this manual was superior to others I have seen.
It was obvious that this translation was written by someone who truly knows and understands the English language. The grammar, spelling and sentence structure are perfectly written, easy to read and understand.
The Juki HZL 355 ZW-A is an ideal sewing machine for youngsters who are learning how to sew. It is also an excellent choice for use in the dormitory room, for carrying to and from sewing class and for senior citizens who are more comfortable with simple sewing machines that do not have lots of features or options that they might find intimidating.
I would not recommend the Juki HZL 355 ZW-A for anyone who is in the market for a sewing machine that can offer lots of different stitch options.
I also hesitate to recommend its use for very large jobs that require working with lots of heavy fabrics or large quilting jobs.
Even though the HZL 355 ZW-A has a presser foot adjustment feature, I believe this lightweight machine would be able to provide longer periods of uninterrupted service if the use of fabrics heavier then jeans weight denim was limited.
Using it to work on very heavy fabric over a prolonged period of time could have an effect on the machine’s ability to perform over time, possibly requiring more frequent service calls. In my opinion, a better choice for working on those large sewing and quilting jobs and working with heavy fabrics would be one of the machines in the Juki HZL Exceed series.
These machines are built to handle quilts and heavy fabrics with ease. In my opinion, the HZL 355 ZW-A is better used for light to medium weight fabrics. The Juki HZL 355 ZW-A is a no frills sewing machine that one that just might be a perfect fit for your personal style and your very own sewing room.
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.
Juki HZL 355 ZW Review
Summary
The Juki HZL 355 ZW-A is lightweight, portable and a great choice for almost anyone who sews. It is an excellent machine for students of all ages and the hard carrying case makes it a wonderful travel companion. My only reservation is the placement of the drop feed control. My pet peeve with any sewing machine is the fact that the work table/accessories case must be removed in order to get to the drop feed control. Perhaps one of these days, sewing machine manufacturers will figure out that the drop feed control should be as easy to get to as the on board needle threader or thread cutter.
Other Mechanical Machine Reviews
Janome 2212 Review (2023 update)
This basic mechanical sewing machine has 14 utility stitch options and is a great choice for sewers of all ages and skill levels. It’s a wonderful learning tool for beginners of all ages, especially children. The large easy to use dials and uncomplicated threading system are not only ideal for beginners, but the superior stitch quality and solid workmanship make this a perfect sewing machine for intermediate and advanced home sewers as well.
Janome 2222 Review (2023 update)
This is an affordably priced, mechanical sewing machine that’s ideal for beginners. It has 22 stitch options plus one one-step buttonhole, an automatic needle threader and an on board accessories case that when removed, gives you access to a free arm. My only hesitation was that a few of the decorative stitches require a little extra manipulation of the length and width adjustment dials before I was able to get the desired result. All in all, however, this is a very good sewing machine, especially if price is a concern.
Singer 4452 Review
Start making projects on the Singer 4452 Heavy-Duty 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.
I found the following presser feet to be too wide to make stitching right up to a heavy seam impossible: straight stitch, zigzag and zipper foot.
I would like a foot adapter to use on my JUKI HZL 355ZW-A, to use snap-on presser feet from my older Singer Sewing Machine. The Singer feet have a tiny metal bar about 1/16 inch wide that snaps in place as apposed to the 1/4 inch wide bar on the JUKI presser feet. The Singer presser feet are much narrower and do not bind up on seams or catch when crossing over a seam. For example, the Singer straight stitch foot is 3/8 inches wide, the JUKI straight stitch foot is 5/8 inches wide.
ARE THE FEED DOGS RETRACTABLE ON THIS MODEL?????
I very much regret buying this machine. I have had no end of trouble with the stitch formation. I have been sewing for many many years, on a variety of machines. this one has me beat. My 30+ year old Brother does a better job using the same threads. No matter how I hold the fabric, it tends to slither all over the place, making the seams terrible. Totally random snaggles of the bobbin thread also. I try the tension on a test piece of fabric, but when sewing the main fabric, the tension is terrible. I have tried changing the presser feet, different bobbins. different thread. Still awful stitch formations.
over all disappointed with this machine.