Janome Sewist 740DC

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92.4 Owner ratings for this sewing machine are good. Janome’s often have good owner ratings. The Sewist 740DC is a sturdy computerized sewing machine that runs smoothly, makes great stitches, and is fairly easy to learn and operate. It also comes with a host of handy features. However some owners report issues, more-so than we see with some other Janome machines. Is it a good buy? Probably - given the significant number of happy owners. But it may still be a little bit more of a risk than some of the other Janome machines on the market today.

Consumer Ratings
We searched for 740DC owner ratings online and we found over 120 – see table below. When these ratings were averaged (we apply a weighted average) they resulted in a sewing machine score of 92.4. This is a very good score. However we have seen some higher rated Janome machines – see our list of Janome Sewing Machine reviews.

Janome Sewist 740DC or 780DC?
There is both a Janome Sewist 740DC and a Janome Sewist 780DC. We’ve compared both machines and it would appear that there are only a few differences between the two. The 740DC has 40 stitches while the 780DC has 80 stitches. The 780DC also has an automatic thread cutter button and a thread cutter memory key (for cutting threads automatically after locking stitches) while the 740DC does not have these features.  As far as we can tell everything else appears to be the same.

A quick way to tell the difference between the two sewing machines is the color gradient along the top. The 740DC color is red while the 780DC color is a blue/green. You can also see pricing and owner reviews for the 780DC on Amazon. We’ve noticed that the 780DC tends to be about $100USD more than the 740DC.

Pros & Cons
A thorough analysis of owner comments and insights has provided the following 740DC pros and cons.

PROS
- Runs very smoothly
- Very easy to setup and use
- Manual is well written and detailed
- Sturdy machine
- Creates a nice quality stitch
- Automatic needle threader
- Powerful enough to sew through many layers

CONS
- Sometimes struggles feeding thick fabric
- Bobbin tension issues
- Light is a little dim

What Are Owners Saying?
One of the most common comments is that the 740DC is easy to use. Some folks claim to be complete beginners and find the machine fairly easy to get up and running. We’ve also seen quite a few very positive statements from owners such as “this machine is a workhorse”, “love it”, “wonderful machine”, “easy to operate”, “beautiful stitches”, and “best machine ever”.

Folks report that the Sewist 740DC creates a very nice, even stitch and that it sews smoothly, although one owner stated that their machine shook a little at high sewing speeds. For the most part however, owners report that this is a sturdy, solid machine.

The 740DC is powerful enough to stitch through multiple layers of fabric or very thick fabric – which is a plus. However there are several comments that thick fabrics do not always feed that well.

There are also a number of comments about issues with the bobbin tension. Apparently it can get very loose resulting in loops of thread. Some folks say this can be fixed by adjusting the tension but others say that even after adjusting the tension the thread starts to loop again.

Also, many people feel that the LED sewing light is a little dim. This is a fairly common problem with many sewing machines, although we have seen some machines with good lighting.

Everyone is in agreement that the operating manual is well written and useful, and they like the included DVD that shows the machine basics.  You can read more owner reviews on Amazon.

Key Specifications
- Backlit LCD control screen
- Automatic needle threader
- 40 built-in stitches
- 3 styles of one-step buttonholes
- Max stitch width = 7mm
- Max stitch length = 5mm
- Stitch elongation (max = 5 times)
- Top loading full rotary hook bobbin
- Auto declutch bobbin winding
- Lock stitch button
- Start/stop button
- Max speed = 820 stitches per minute
- Speed control slider
- Drop feed capable
- Free arm
- 7-piece feed dog
- Manual thread tension control
- Snap-on presser feet
- Adjustable foot pressure (6 levels)
- Extra high presser foot lift
- Programmable needle up/down
- Reverse button
- Twin needle capable
- 71 needle positions
- Manual thread cutter

What Don’t You Get?
Some things that you may expect but are not provided include:
- Knee lift
- Last stitch recall capability
- Twin needle guard
- Mirror image stitches

Stitch Chart
Following is the stitch chart for the 740DC.

Note: When a stitch is selected the LCD screen shows:
- Selected stitch
- Recommended foot
- Default stitch width
- Default stitch length

Other Features & Characteristics
The lighting built into this machine is LED. However, as previously mentioned, several owners have complained that it is too dim and needs to be supplemented. One such product can be seen below and this has pretty good ratings and reviews from owners.

The 740DC has a die cast aluminum frame and weighs 14.3 lbs. It is light enough to take to classes and it also comes with a built-in carry handle and a hard case. We usually feel that a sewing machine should be a little lighter for classes (we like 12 lbs or less). You may wish to see our list of the best portable sewing machines if you are keen on portability.

This is also a dual voltage sewing machine and is rated 80V – 240V.

Accessories
The 740DC package includes several presser feet: Automatic buttonhole foot, blind hemming foot, zigzag foot, zipper foot, overedge foot, and satin stitch foot. You will also get a set of Janome plastic bobbins (4), a set of needles, small spool holders (2), large spool holders (2), an extra spool pin, and a foot control. In addition, you will find a lint brush, a seam ripper, a screwdriver, a power cable, an instructional DVD, and an operating manual. The sewing machine has a built in storage box.

Warranty
The Janome Sewist 740DC carries the usual Janome 25-year limited manufacturer’s warranty. This breaks down as follows:

- 25 years on mechanical parts
- 5 years on electrical parts
- 1 year on labor

Sewing Machine Manual
The 740DC manual is 64 pages long and quite detailed. The graphics are well executed and the instructions are clear. It covers setup, all of the machine’s features, basic sewing, decorative stitches, maintenance, and troubleshooting. You can view a copy of the manual here: Janome Sewist 740DC manual