My dear Janome 6125 ‘Quilters Companion’ and I have been side by side, since my 12th birthday. I can remember this birthday like it was yesterday. The absolute thrill of realizing that I was the proud new owner of this secondhand Janome machine is something I’ll never forget. Little did I know, 13 years later, just how many garments ‘we’ would make and the extraordinary opportunities that would arise because of it.
Sewing became a big part of my life as a young teen. I began taking sewing lessons from a family friend and phenomenal quilter. I was taught important fundamentals and clever techniques that guide me to this day. The Janome 6125 helped me to produce my very first quilt – a true ‘Work in Progress,’ which ended up taking me 8 years to complete! Life got in the way… however, slowly but surely, we made it in the end!
I am forever impressed by the powerhouse this machine really is. Over the years, I have definitely pushed the machine to its limits with materials far better fit for an industrial machine, but with frequent cleaning, oiling and sharp new needles, it has stood the test of time. Should this machine be capable of sewing through 5+ layers of patchwork denim? No, probably not! Does it do a fantastic job doing so? Yes, it absolutely does!
Bear in mind, as this is an older machine, it doesn’t have fancy technology, however I love the interesting stitches it provides. With a specific foot, I’m able to add a ‘serger’ like overlock, which is very useful. The machine itself is on the quieter end and is definitely the lightest machine I’ve ever used. With a handle attached to the top and a removable hard case, it makes for easy transport and storage.
Last year, I stumbled upon a Bernina Industrie, for FREE, in a back alleyway! This machine has been on my radar for a while. I’m very excited to be able to designate the Bernina Industrie as my new machine for all the heavy weight projects I’ve been putting my Janome through. Once again, my Janome 6125 will become my ‘Quilters Companion’, passing through lightweight materials like a breeze. May my trusty Janome serve me another 13 stellar years!
