90.9 The Janome 2206 is definitely worth looking at if you are in the market for an inexpensive and easy-to-use sewing machine. It is a no-frills, solid, mechanical sewing machine and it is getting good consumer ratings. The 2206 is designed for beginners or those who have been away from sewing for awhile. However it is also fairly popular with experienced seamstresses and, on more than one occasion, we have seen this unit recommended by sewing teachers.
Consumer Ratings
Several respectable websites were found with Janome 2206 owner ratings. These are provided in the table below. The ratings generate an average score of 90.9 out of a possible 100 (or about 4.5+ stars out of 5). This is a healthy score and you can compare it to the scores of other sewing machines in our list of sewing machine ratings. This machine can often be found for as low as $120USD (or in that neighborhood).
| Source | Consumer Ratings | #Ratings |
| Amazon | 4.7 stars out of 5 | 10 |
| Overstock | 4.4 stars out of 5 | 8 |
| SewVacDirect | 4.2 stars out of 5 | 5 |
| Costco | 5.0 stars out of 5 | 1 |
| Wayfair | 5.0 stars out of 5 | 1 |
| Home Depot | 5.0 stars out of 5 | 1 |
Consumer Insights
A review of owner comments from sites across the web indicates the following 2206 likes and dislikes:
PROS
- Not too expensive
- Easy to thread and fill the bobbin
- Good stitch quality and speed
- Well illuminated sewing area
- Little setup is required out of the box
- Sturdy machine yet not too heavy
- Easy to make basic button holes
CONS
- Not as quiet as some would like
- Foot controller is plastic
- Limited number of stitches
While there are a few comments that the machine is not entirely quiet, most owners don’t report noise as an issue. There are several comments however that the motor “feels” smooth and powerful and that the 2206 appears to be a sturdy and quality-built machine.
Owners agree that the 2206 is very easy to use. It does not come with an automatic needle threader but despite this fact most folks report having no problem threading the machine. It is a simple sewing machine with few bells and whistles and it seems that this very fact has made it popular – people often refer to the simplicity of the unit. Many new sewing machines today have a myriad of options and features which can lead to plenty of confusion. The instructions for the 2206 are well written and clear helping further make the machine easy to use.
Some owners also report using the 2206 successfully for free motion quilting. In addition it appears to handle fabrics like denim and canvas fairly well, although it is not clear how many layers one could work with before getting into trouble.
The unit does have a limited number of stitches however and this could be a factor for those who want to use more than just the basic stitches in their projects. We should point out that nowhere did we find owners complaining about the few stitch options, but it may well be that most consumers were aware of this limitation prior to making a purchase. If 6 stitches are not enough another well-rated Janome machine is the Janome Gem Gold – it is very lightweight and has a couple more stitches, 8 to be exact.
Finally, there is a general consensus from consumers that the Janome 2206 is a good buy, that it performs well, and ultimately that you get your money’s worth.
You can read more customer reviews on Amazon if you wish.
Key Specifications
- 6 built-in stitches
- A 4-step buttonhole
- Pattern selector via dial
- Free arm
- Drop feed capable
- Built-in thread cutter
- Snap-on presser feet
- Front loading bobbin
- Maximum sewing speed of 860 stitches per minute
- Manual tension control
- Incandescent light
- Push-pull bobbin winder
- Maximum zigzag width of 5mm
- Maximum stitch length of 4mm
- 2 retractable vertical spool pins
- 0-2.5 Stitch Length for Reverse Stitch
- Center and left needle positions
Following you can see the stitch width and pattern selection dial on the front of the machine.
The 2206 comes with a well written and detailed instruction manual and a foot controller (which includes cords). There is also a carry handle built into the unit. The handle is helpful when moving the machine as it weighs about 18 lbs.
A number of accessories are provided including the following presser feet: All purpose straight stitch zigzag foot A, zipper foot E, sliding buttonhole foot B, H foot, and a blind hem foot G. In addition, the unit comes with 3 Bobbins, a small screwdriver, a seam ripper and a package of needles.
The 2206 is a UL listed sewing machine and it carries a 25 year warranty. Again, as we’ve mentioned in several of our other ratings/reviews, this length of warranty as stated is often a little misleading. What this means, in this case, is the machine is warranted for 25-years on mechanical parts, 2-years on electrical parts, and 1-year for labor.
POST YOUR COMMENTS
Hello! My name is Alison and I started Sewing Machine Ratings over 10 years ago. Since then I’ve reviewed scores of sewing machines. Sewing has been a hobby for me since I was a young and I love to make my own clothing.