Anyone who has been sewing for some time- or even a beginner- has probably heard of these two brands. Janome and Singer are both arguably among the largest manufacturers and suppliers of sewing machines globally. They have also been behind significant innovations that have brought the sewing machine to the home and computerized it. Most sewing enthusiasts are averse to change and will likely want to stick to the brand they started with when they got into sewing. Doing this, however, could lead you to miss out on new products and a machine that works even better for you. Among the many reliable products of the two companies, we are going to look at Janome HD 3000 vs. Singer 4452.
If you are looking for a heavy-duty mechanical machine that can handle different types of fabrics and thicknesses, the Singer 4452 and the Janome HD 3000 are both excellent choices. They provide numerous options for stitching and decorating to supplement your creative process. Another significant advantage of dealing with such recognized brands is the availability of accessories, spare parts, and repairs for your machine.
Table of Contents
A Comprehensive Review of Janome HD 3000 vs. Singer 4452
Singer 4452 review
This versatile machine has the unique advantage of being loaded with great features while remaining relatively simple to use. Below is a list of its top features.
- The presser feet
The singer 4452 uses low shank presser feet, which you can easily install by snapping on. This makes changing between presser feet easy and convenient. Since low-shank presser feet are the most common, you can use any compatible presser feet from a previous machine on this model. Check beforehand that the presser feet are consistent with the specific number of your device, though.
The presser feet tension can also be adjusted manually to help you manage the pressure you place on the fabric. This is particularly useful when sewing fabrics of different thicknesses. It will also play a large role in matching the top and bottom fabrics, the thread’s tension, and the stitch sizes.
- Needle positions
The several needle positions in a sewing machine allow you to utilize the guides on your presser feet to change the needle’s position and place it exactly where you want it. You can sew a distance from your chosen seam and place under-stitches and top stitches where you want them to land. The Singer 4452 offers you three needle positions to adjust accordingly.
- Stitches
There are 32 unique integrated stitches and 110 stitch applications in the Singer 4452, which is high for similar mechanical machines in this class. These stitches include six basic, 18 decoratives, seven stretch, and one buttonhole. The maximum stitch width is 6mm, while the length is 4mm, both of which are adjustable manually. Widening stitch widths is a feature that comes in handy when customizing zigzag and other stitches.
The fully automated one-step buttonhole takes away the hustle of measuring out dimensions and going through many other processes demanded by the 4-step buttonhole.
- Reverse stitch control
Since it is not a computerized machine, a hand-operated lever controls reverse stitching to reinforce the beginnings and ends of seams.
- Stitching speeds
The Singer 4452 has extra-high stitching speeds of 1100 stitches per minute. There are no unique controls to help limit the maximum speed of the machine. To manage the sewing rate, you can use the control paddle, which is quite sensitive.
- Feeding mechanism
The feeding mechanism is crucial in controlling the direction and length of stitches. Singer 44452 uses the drop feed mechanism, which uses the feed dogs beneath the foot to move the fabric through the machine. Drop feed is excellent for attaching buttons, free sewing, and sewing through thinner materials or those with fewer layers.
- Automation
Automated features on this machine make it a dream to use for novices and anyone who struggles with tasks such as threading the needle. The entire device can be threaded from the spool to the needle’s eye in seconds.
- Bobbin system
Loading the bobbin on your machine is as simple as dropping in the bobbin at the top. It makes rethreading your device as you switch between the yarn. The transparent cover on the bobbin also makes monitoring your thread supply much more convenient.
Janome HD 3000 review
Lauded as arguably the best Janome Heavy duty machine for novices, we take a comprehensive look at what the Janome HD 3000 has to offer.
- The presser feet
The Janome HD 3000 also uses low shank presser feet, which you can interchange with other compatible ones from different machines. As with Singer 4452, you can manually adjust the feet’ tension to control the pressure you place on the sewing material. Although you may not need to change the tension for thicker fabrics, you may need to dial it down when working with thinner materials such as silk.
- Needle positions
In comparison to the 4452s three needle positions, the HD 3000 only has two needle positions. As mentioned, the ability to change needle positions keeps you from moving the fabric or marking the stitch positions. You can combine rows of stitches, place your stitches precisely, sew an asymmetrical stitch, use different feet that require moving the needle.
- Stitches
The stitches are where large differences between these two machines come in. While the Singer 4452 boasts 32 stitches, the Janome HD 3000 only has 18. Some of the stitch types on this machine include straight stitch, buttonhole, decorative, and zigzag stitch.
The maximum stitch width of the HD3000 is 6.5mm against Singer’s 6mm, but both these machines have a full stitch length of 4mm. This machine also has an automated one-step buttonhole. You need to insert the button into the buttonhole foot, and the machine will sew the buttonhole in one step.
- Reverse stitch control
Reverse stitch control in the Janome HD 3000 is enabled by a button, unlike the hand-operated lever in the Singer 4452 making the process more convenient on this machine.
- Stitching speeds
The Janome HD 3000 trails the Singer when it comes to sewing speed. It sews at a maximum rate of 860 stitches per minute. As with the Singer, there are also no unique controls to manage the top speed.
- Feeding mechanism
The feeding mechanism used in this machine is also the drop feed mechanism that is great for free-motion sewing but does not work well on thicker fabrics.
- Automation
Though there are no unique automated controls for the needle stop position, thread trimming, or backtracks, some few features are automated. The automatic needle threader is incredibly convenient and saves you the time you would have used doing that manually. An automatic bobbin winder will also help wind your thread around your bobbin neatly and stops automatically when the bobbin is full.
- Bobbin system
The bobbin in the Janome HD 3000 features a drop-in-at-the-top loading system. Monitoring the thread usage is much more straightforward, and when you run out, changing the bobbin and getting it rewound is easy. You also need not worry about jamming, as the bobbin system in this machine is jam-proof.
Verdict
The Singer 4452 and the Janome HD 3000 are both sewing machines from renowned and respected companies. They are heavy-duty machines which you can use with most fabrics, no problem.
These machines’ versatility is seen in the adaptability to use any compatible presser feet with them that you may own from a separate device. This can allow you to replace the drop feed system with a walking foot when sewing through a material with many layers or thick ones.
The Singer 4452 trumps the HD 3000 when it comes to its choices regarding stitches and needle positions. You can easily express your creativity with a variety of stitches placed where you want. The Janome HD 3000 then comes out on top when you consider the reverse stitch mechanism’s automated features and accessibility.
Consider the features that are more important to you and choose between 2 great mechanical machines.