A Look Inside Janome Sewist 500 Sewing Machine

Janome Sewist 500 was a sewing machine I purchased spring of 2018 after watching it featured on The Great British Sewing Bee. I purchased the machine with my own money and am here to provide you with critical information and an unbiased review. Note: At the end of this article, there is a parts list for Janome Sewist 500. 

Here’s a little background on the sewing machine itself

Janome Sewist 500 is the latter version of Janome 525S. Interestingly, the same sewing machine was available under a few different model numbers including Magnolia 7318 and Babylock Zeal. Please note: Magnolia 7318 was a little different because it only had 18 stitches, while its premium version (Magnolia 7325) featured 24 stitches and speed control. Today, Janome has new models of its classic Sewists line. The new models include:

• 725S
• 721
• 709

Janome Sewist 500 is described incorrectly as having 25 stitches and a buttonhole.

In reality, the sewing machine has 24 stitches and a buttonhole for a total of 25 stitches. This is more than enough stitches to complete any sewing project!

Here’s what was included

I purchased Janome Sewist 500 from Overstock.com at a very reasonable price around $300. It included:

• A hardcover
• 6 Snap-on feet (Automatic Buttonhole, Button Fitting, Overedge, Zipper, Blind Hem, General Purpose)
• Bobbins (4)
• Screwdriver
• Seam Ripper
• Spool caps (large and small)
• Additional Spool Pin
• Quilting Guide
• Felt Cushion
• Lint Brush

In addition to receiving the above mentioned accessories , the Overstock seller threw in a free narrow rolled hem foot. This was a very nice offer considering how much presser feet costs!

Here’s what else was needed

Once I bought the machine, I needed to buy an invisible zipper foot and an extra clear slide cover plate (the clear plastic covering the bobbin area). We’ll discuss why another clear slide over plate was needed a bit later. First, let’s discuss the performance of Janome Sewist 500 on the first sewing project.

The first sewing project was going great until…

Janome Sewist 500 started making a loud grinding noise. Normally, one would return a defective sewing machine for a refund. However, I decided to take the sewing machine apart to find out what was wrong with it.

On Amazon, a few reviewers complained about hearing a loud grinding noise too.

I’ve clipped a few of the Amazon comments so you can see them for yourself.

Like most modern sewing machines, Janome Sewist 500 isn’t easy to take apart.

It took me around 2 hours to take apart the whole machine. (The whole tasks would have taken a lot less time if I had an drill). Taking apart the sewing machine requires you to remove 14+ screws and two plastic dials. In addition, you must unsnap the plastic shell. This is no easy tasks because it is very easy to break the plastic snaps, which hold the two sides of the plastic outer shell together.

However, once inside of Janome Sewist 500, I discovered a very simple reason for the grinding noise.

There is a plastic piece on top of Janome 500 where the bobbin rests during bobbin winding mode. To keep this plastic piece from moving, the manufacturer installed a screw and secured it in place with a tiny nut. See photo below.

*The screw is much shorter than this, but you get the idea.

The provided screw is too short to hold the nut in place. Once this nut falls off, there are not too many places for it to go. The nut can only fall into the hand wheel or end up sliding around on the bottom of your machine.

My sewing machine nut fell inside of the hand wheel. Hence, the nasty grinding noise.  Since there was not much room for a larger screw, I simply re-installed the existing small screw, which stays in place just fine without a nut on the end of it. Then, I added a small drop of super glue onto the underside of the small plastic piece to make sure it will always stay in place.

Once the problem with my Janome was fixed, it worked great!

Over a two year period, I made everything from lightweight dresses to jeans. Jeans stitch out well on Janome Sewist 500 because the machine can go thru several layers of denim without a problem.

However, I wouldn’t recommend sewing leather on this sewing machine. Once, I tried to sew a leather knife pouch on Janome 500. I experimented with a variety of needles and tension settings. While Janome Sewist did get the job done, the stitch quality wasn’t top notch.

Overall Positive Feedback

I would highly recommend this sewing machine for a beginner because it is easy to use and has very clear instructions. The sewing machine will also be suitable for garment makers, quilters, or general craft makers. *While there isn’t a lot of throat space, Sewist 500 will get a quilt done.

Advantages:

• A top loading bobbin with a clear window allows users to easily see when the bobbin is almost empty
• Standard stitches and stretch stitches are beautiful
• Machine functions are simple and straight-forward because all dials are clearly labeled
• Feed dogs drop for free motion quilting
• Measurements are located on the detachable bed for easy on-the-go fabric measuring
• Automatic needle threader makes threading needles a breeze
• Storage tray is extra-spacious for storing feet and accessories. *It’s surprising how many bobbins fit!
• Extra light weight for easy travel

Overall Negative Feedback

Even though Janome Sewist 500 was featured on The Great British Sewing Bee, its buttonhole leaves much to be desired for advanced garment makers. The buttonhole issue was my only problem with the sewing machine.  After two years of use, I sold Janome 500 and purchased a used Bernina 1010.

Disadvantages

• The one-step button hole lever is very fiddly because it doesn’t always spring into place to stitch out the second half of a buttonhole. (Yes, I do understand you have to move the button hole lever as per the instructions). *The manual provides directions for stitching buttonholes without the one-step, but its a major pain when you have lots of buttons to stitch out. 
  
• Bobbin winder is loud and sounds a bit like an ice cream maker
• Clear slide cover plate scratches easily, which means you will need to keep a spare

Replacement Parts List (with clickable links)

Invisible zipper foot

Even feed foot 

Narrow rolled hem foot 

Clear slide cover plate (#750036012)

Bobbin Case (#202006008)

Needle Threader (#755643002)

Timing Belt 16 1/2″ 

Foot Control (#033770217)

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