Since the inception of the Janome trademark in 1935, the company has been making waves in the sewing world. Janome has pioneered many sewing innovations, chief of which is bringing the computerized sewing machine into homes. Their line of mechanical heavy-duty sewing machines has also been a market leader and is arguably the best. We are going to compare these two giants, the Janome HD 3000 vs. HD 3000BE.
The two products have attracted a steady and loyal following. At first glance, anyone would forgive you for thinking that the only difference between these two machines is their color. After all, the BE in ‘3000BE’ does indeed stand for Black Edition. However, a more in-depth look into these machines beyond the black color will reveal distinctive differences between them that will finally settle your mind on the best for you. We take a comprehensive look at the differences between these two heavy-duty sewing machines to determine their best and distinct features.
The Janome HD 3000 vs. HD 3000BE Reviews
Janome HD 3000 review
Many have lauded the HD 3000 as the heavy-duty machine for beginners looking to get into sewing. It is chock-full of features to take everything frustrating about sewing and replace it with convenient ways to get things done.
Below are the top features of the HD 3000.
- Buttonhole stitches
The Janome HD 3000 has a one-step automated buttonhole. With a one-buttonhole, the machine sews the buttonhole for you in one step. You need to insert the button into the buttonhole foot, and the HD 3000 will make a buttonhole, which is the precise size for that button. This feature makes the HD 3000 suitable for beginners who are daunted by the task of going through several processes to get a buttonhole.
- The presser foot
The presser foot’s pressure of the HD 3000 can be controlled and adjusted when needed manually. It will enable you to manage the stress that you want to place on the fabric. The tension you put on the presser foot will alter how the feed dogs and the presser foot interact. This will affect three main things: the thread’s tension, stitch size, and the matching of the bottom and top fabrics. You can also change the pressure according to the material you are sewing and its thickness. You can adjust the presser foot tension by turning the dial to your preferred setting manually.
- Stitches
Eighteen integrated stitches come with the HD 3000, each producing a high-quality finish. The maximum stitch length and width for this machine, respectively, are 4mm and 6.5 mm. You can adjust these parameters as you desire.
If you are a beginner who is prone to confusing stitches, then you are in luck. The HD 3000 comes with a visual representation of stitches and stitch options and threading guides such as numbers or arrows for your referral.
- Reverse stitch control
Reverse stitch control is enabled by using the reverse sewing button to back the tack stitches manually and secure the thread.
- Free arm
The free arm cover for the HD 3000 is removable by sliding it off the storage compartment. It provides convenient access to the free arm whenever you want to sew pant legs, hems, and cuffs.
- Bobbin loading
The drop-in at the top bobbing system makes rethreading your machine much more convenient. The see-through drop-in bobbin plate also makes it easy to monitor the thread supply and anticipate when it will run out. With the HD3000, you also don’t need to worry about jamming, as this loading system is jam-proof.
- Automation
The automated features on this device are another reason that seals the HD3000 as the perfect beginner’s device. It comes with a built-in needle threader and an integrated thread cutter when you want to switch threads. Besides that, there is also an automatic bobbin winder to wind your yarn neatly and evenly. The winding also stops automatically when it is full.
Janome HD 3000BE review
Below is a list of the top features in the HD 3000s Black Edition.
- Buttonhole stitches
Unlike the Janome HD 3000, the HD 3000BE features a 4-step buttonhole. The 4 step buttonhole is a more manual process than the one-step and has four essential parts. The machine will stop stitching after each piece, and then you will need to turn the dial to the next procedure before you proceed. With a 4-step buttonhole, you also need to take measurements on the button size first and then make markings on the fabric before proceeding.
These drawbacks may be daunting for a beginner at first, but once you learn and understand how they work, it is no longer difficult to use.
- The presser foot
The HD 3000BE is similar to the HD 3000 concerning the adjustable presser feet. You can adjust the presser foot tension manually to control the pressure you place on the fabric. This machine also features an extra-high presser foot lift, convenient when sewing and stitching over bulky materials such as denim.
Some of the presser feet you receive as part of the accessory pack with this machine are:
- an ultra-glide foot for sticky fabrics and leather,
- a satin stitch foot
- a darning foot
- an overcast foot
- a zipper foot
- an open toe satin stitch foot
- a rolled hem foot
- an automatic buttonhole foot
- a zigzag foot.
- Stitches
This machine also comes with 18 built-in stitches. The maximum stitch lengths and widths are 4mm and 6.5mm, respectively, and a zigzag width of 5mm. To adjust to your stitch type’s appropriate settings, you need to move the machine’s dials as required.
While the HD 3000 provides threading guides in arrows or numbers to help any beginner, the HD 3000BE provides no unique guidance on threading, Which may put a novice at a loss.
- Reverse stitch control
Reverse stitching allows the sewer to go back on the stitches they have already made. This is crucial because, in a completed seam, the ends are usually very vulnerable and need reinforcement. If you do not do this, the seams have a high chance of unraveling.
In the HD 3000, reverse stitch control is done by a reverse sewing button to secure the thread. With the HD 3000BE, you achieve reverse stitch control using a reverse sewing lever, which allows you to lock seams with the backstitch.
- Free arm
The free arm on the HD 3000 BE can also be accessed by the removable storage compartment whenever you want to sew small openings such as sleeves, cuffs, or hemming pants.
- Bobbin loading
Changing the bobbin is a fast and efficient process that only includes dropping it in at the top of the machine, using the cover plate’s explanatory diagram.
- Automation
This machine also features automated tasks that make your sewing project move faster. After you thread the device up to the needle, the automatic needle threader will help get the thread through the eye. The automatic bobbin winder, which is similar to the HD 3000s, winds your yarn around the bobbin and stops when it is full automatically.
Verdict
The Janome HD 3000 vs. HD 3000BE are almost-similar heavy duty sewing machines from a well-recognized brand and market leader. Both have a heavy-duty aluminum frame that ensures their durability even as they sew through tough fabrics.
The small differences with their features make the HD 3000 the preferred option for novices. Chief among these differences is the automatic one-step buttonhole. You can complete everything in one step compared to the manual 4 step buttonhole, where you have to go through several stages of measurement and stop before proceeding.
The threading guides provided by the HD 3000 also make your work much more manageable. The price gap between these two is almost always non-existent, so price won be a huge determining factor when choosing between them.
Overall, after evaluating each of these devices’ features and cross-referencing that you should go home with a heavy-duty machine that you love with your preferences and desired features.
