91.0 The Janome 712T is a treadle sewing machine. It uses a treadle, which is a lever operated by the foot, to power the sewing machine. In other words it is a modern Janome machine that uses old fashioned principles. Consumer ratings are quite good and most owners find it easy to thread and like the fact that it does not require electricity. It’s a great machine for people that live off the grid or just want to get some exercise while sewing.
One of the first things you need to know about this sewing machine is that you need a treadle operated sewing cabinet to run it. If you are not familiar with this kind of cabinet, following is an example of what one looks like:
You can actually buy the cabinet above here but it is a bit pricey. You can find less expensive (but still nice) ones in many other places – like eBay of Craigslist for example.
Consumer Ratings
The Janome 712T is available on several retail websites and we found some 37 consumer ratings. These can be seen in the table below. When averaged these ratings provide an overall score of 91.0 out of 100 (or about 4.55 stars out of 5). This is a pretty good score, although we’ve seen a number of Janome’s score higher.
| Source | Consumer Ratings | #Ratings |
| Amazon | 4.6 stars out of 5 | 28 |
| Overstock | 5 stars out of 5 | 5 |
| Sewing Machines Plus | 5 stars out of 5 | 1 |
| Sewvacdirect | 3.3 stars out of 5 | 3 |
Analysis of owner comments indicates that a few folks gave the 712T low scores because it didn’t fit easily into their treadle cabinet. These ratings dropped the machine’s score and without these the unit would have scored slightly higher. We highlight this as its inability to fit into their cabinet is not necessarily a reflection on the quality of the machine or its capabilities - although we understand the frustration.
Consumer Insights
A thorough review of owner comments has yielded the following likes and dislikes
PROS
- Easy to thread
- Easy to load bobbin
- Many built in stitches (not common on most treadle machines)
- Does not require electricity
- You actually get some exercise while sewing
- Very quiet
CONS
- You need a treadle operated sewing cabinet (and belt) to run it
- Doesn’t fit all treadle cabinets
- Cannot adjust the needle to the right of center
- Bobbin winder is slow
There are quite a few comments highlighting that the 712T feels solid and well made. In addition, almost all owners feel it is durable and that it creates a great stitch. There are very few remarks indicating issues with the machine, although those that do appear are predominantly related to problems in fitting the machine into the treadle cabinet.
The 712T is capable of sewing through several layers of material easily and it comes with a good instruction manual (you can find it at the bottom of this article). It should also be noted that a number of owners very much like the fact that the machine is eco-friendly.
Also, as one owner pointed out, if you want a treadle sewing machine it is very nice to have a modern machine that you can find parts for and also has a warranty. Older treadle machines are long past their warranty and parts are sometimes no longer available.
We have noticed that some retailers appear to provide a belt with the 712T however many do not. It is worth checking/asking before a purchase.
You can read more owner comments on Amazon if you wish.
Key Specifications
- 10 utility stitches
- Built-in 4-step buttonhole
- Dial for easy stitch selection
- Max stitch width = 5mm
- Max stitch length = 4mm
- Manual thread tension control
- Snap on presser feet
- Extra high presser foot lift
- 5-piece feed dog
- Drop feed capable
- Push-pull bobbin winder
- Top loading full rotary hook bobbin
- Flatbed design
- Carry handle
The 712T has an aluminum die-cast frame and you can see the base dimensions below:
The stitches are printed on the front panel of the machine – see below:
A number of accessories come with the 712T including 6 presser feet: sliding buttonhole foot, zipper foot, zig-zag foot, overedge foot, hemmer foot, blind stitch foot. There are also bobbins, needles, a finger guard, a lint brush, a screwdriver, and a seam ripper.
The Janome 712T carries a 25 year limited manufacturer warranty. When broken down this provides:
- 25 years on internal metal cast
- 2 years on electrical components
- 1 year parts and labor
Sewing Machine Manual
You can see the sewing machine manual here: Janome 712T Manual. The formatting of this is a bit messy and it looks like someone just photocopied it however this is directly from Janome.
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.