Janome ThreadBanger TB12 Review
The Janome Threadbanger TB12 sewing machine was introduced in 2008 as a co-branded sewing machine with the popular Threadbare DIY sewing design and fashion website. It is a twin to the popular New Home L108 except it now includes the slick black and red graphics that mirror the colors of the ThreadBanger site.
It’s an ideal sewing machine for beginners who want to work with thick fabrics and need a power house to get the work done. It’s not overly complicated and has been described as being strong and forgiving.
Read the rest of the Janome ThreadBanger TB12 sewing machine review below:
Table of Contents (jump ahead!)
Stitch Count Presser Feet Functionality
Accessories Customer Reviews Pros, Cons & Manual
Update May 29, 2011: This machine is a retired model but you can still find it online and at some of Janome retailers. If this is the sewing machine you want but you’re having trouble finding it, check out the new Janome HD1000 Heavy-Duty Sewing Machine with 14 Built-In Stitches
Janome (pronounced JA-NO-ME) may be a Japanese company but they have old ties to one of the original American sewing machine companies after acquiring New Home (originally known as New England Single Thread Hand Sewing Company circa 1860 in Massachusetts) several years ago. Janome also makes some of Kenmore’s sewing machines and appliances.
Stitch Count
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While there is a computerized version (the TB30) the Janome ThreadBanger TB12 is not computerized but is mechanical. Two dials on the front allow for stitch selection and length adjustment and the machine offers a total of 12 stitches:
- Straight
- Zigzag
- Tricot (Multi-stitch Zigzag)
- Blind Hem
- Feather
- Overcasting
- Triple Strength
- Rolled Hem
- 4 Stretch Stitches
In addition, there is a 4 step buttonhole function – not quite as simple as a 1 step but still does the job.
Some listings of this machine state that it comes with 13 stitches rather than 12. The difference is that they are counting the 4 step buttonhole function as the 13th stitch.
Presser Feet
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The feet are easily changed due to a quick change feature built into the sewing machine. You are supplied with four snap-on presser feet:
- General Purpose
- Zipper Foot
- Buttonhole Foot
- Hemmer Foot
Janome Threadbanger TB12 Stitch Selector
Functionality
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The ThreadBanger TB12 is portable so designers on the go can take their machine with them (case not included) and has a fold down handle. It also has free arm capability so sleeves, pants, and hemming are easily tackled.
- Maximum speed 840 spm
- Stretch stitch adjustment
- Maximum zigzag width 5.0 mm
- Maximum stitch length 4 mm
- Thread tension control Lay-in type
- Extra-high presser foot lift
- Marking on needle plate (inches and metric)
- Reverse lever
- Drop feed dog Lever type
- Bobbin winder Auto-declutch type
- Thread cutter Yes (Underneath the face plate)
- Thread take up lever Slit type
- Spool pin Vertical type
- Lamp -Incandescent
- Power switch
- Foot controller
It may not be the rounded, jazzy corners and sculpting seen in other new machines, but it was designed to last and can handle heavy duty sewing projects. It has a cast aluminum body rather than some of the plastics found on other machines and this is meant to reduce wear and opportunity for machine breakdown. Its sturdy structure allows it to handle thick fabrics without skipping a beat. This makes it one of the better sewing machines for beginners who want to get into quilting as well as making clothes.
This sewing machine uses a vertical oscillating hook (the “hook” describes the way the needle moves to complete a stitch). A vertical hook is less finicky and handles different types of threads more easily than a horizontal hook so this is a plus for the ThreadBanger.
I’ve found several different weights listed for this machine. Even Amazon lists its weight as 25 pounds (although they go on to say the shipping weight is 20 pounds, adding to the confusion about the machine’s true weight). The Janome site itself gives a specified weight of 7.6 kilograms which converts to 16.8 pounds. This would seem more appropriate considering the product’s claims of portability.
There is also a storage compartment built into the machine to hold the provided accessories.
Dimensions: L 15.4″ x W 12.2″ x D 6.1″
Weight: 16.8 pounds
Accessories
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The following accessories come with the Janome ThreadBanger TB12:
- Needles Blue Tip Size 11
- Extra bobbins
- Felt for Spool Pin
- Hem Guide
- Oil
- Large Needle/Plate Screwdriver
- Small Tension Screwdriver
- Seam Ripper
- Soft cover to protect machine while not in use
Customer Reviews
“Sewing machine is what I expected. Mechanical, less electronic parts to wear out or break. Light enough to carry with me. Easy to wind bobbin, and load the thread on the machine.” – Eleanor Foster “Waltzer”
“This is a great, sturdy machine. I didn’t expect it to be this good! I have another machine that I bought a few years back for about the same price. After struggling with it for a couple of years, I decided to look for a new one. This Threadbanger surpasses my other one by FAR!” – Julieboo “Picky Reader”
There are 8 reviews on Amazon. You can read more here:
Janome ThreadBanger TB12 Reviews
Rated reviews exist on several sites and all give this machine higher than 4 out of 5 stars.
Average Amazon Rating: 4.7
Pros, Cons & Manual
Pros: Easy, straight stitching, handles multiple layers of fabric easily, sufficient quilting functionality, easy to clean and oil, low watt lamp, quiet (although not as quiet as computerized machines) and a ruler guide on the front of the machine helps quickly double check measurements. The handwheel feels nice and sturdy and is easily controllable.
Cons: No adjustable pressure foot, awkward positioning of the lever to lift the foot, and threading the needle can be tricky.
Manual available online here: Janome ThreadBanger TB12 Manual
Manufacturer’s Warranty: In the US, as of this date, the Janome ThreadBanger TB12 comes with a 20 year warranty on parts, 2 years on electrical, 1 year on labor and may be voided by certain activities.
For current pricing information, follow this link:
Features Summary Review:
Tagged with: $100-200 • electric • free-arm • heavy duty • Janome • Janome ThreadBanger TB12 • light-weight • portable • quilting • sewing machines for beginners • white
Filed under: Reviews
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I would like to buy one of these machines, the TB12, for my wife. Amazon is sold out of them. Do you know where I can find one to purchase?
Thanks
Tom
UPDATE: Tom – I found a place you can order one still. Please email me at erin@sewing-machines-for-beginners.com and I’ll send you the info. Didn’t want to ruin any surprise by emailing it to the email you used for your comment. Sincerely, Erin
(My last reply is now outdated but might help others: Oh, Tom, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I think Janome has (or is about to) discontinue this machine. I can’t find it anywhere online and there were several stores carrying it just a few months ago. There are several machines that have similar stitches and features to this one but nothing that has the same design accents. It’s too early where I am to call my local Janome dealer but last time I was at their store they still had one of these so I wonder if a dealer near you might still have one. You can find your local dealer here: Janome Store Locator.
If that doesn’t work, let me know what about this machine made it the one you wanted for your wife (was it the stitches, the look, or something else) and I’ll find something similar for you to consider. )
Sincerely,
Erin
Re: TB12
An Amazon reviewer indicates that the HD1000 is the new version of the TB12
Other tidbit: another reviewer says using metal bobbins is recommended by users of this machine.
Hey, Martha!
I was just looking at this last night with the 2 next to each other, both on the Janome website and some other sites, and they *look* identical except for the black & red markings, but otherwise pretty much an exact replica. (The TB12 was actually a reboot of the New Home, as Erin mentioned, which was well loved and many requested its return.) Without terribly deep research (Janome website,) the differences I found were: The HD1000 is listed as having 14 stitches, including buttonhole, 4mm max stitch length, and 5mm maximum width, while the TB12 is listed as 12 stitches, 5mm stitch length max and 7 mm maximum width. The HD1000 is listed as having an automatic needle threader, and the TB12 does not, and the HD1000 lists a dust cover, while the TB12 does not. And that’s about it. The price, as far as I could see, is still the same (around $299, although I did see a couple places listing the TB12 for $199, but almost all out of stock.)
Also, I had sent an e-mail to an authorized Janome dealer asking for the TB-12 that they had listed on their website as available, and when he returned my phone call, he said, ‘Yes, I do have the HD1000 in stock,’ so that also leads me to believe you’re correct.
Erin, hope you don’t mind, just figured since I already had this info, maybe I’d save you some time.
Sean
I absolutely don’t mind – in fact, I appreciate the help! Some days I can get to comments no problem. Other days I’m lucky if I can even find my laptop…