Whether you're venturing into the world of stitching for the first time or seeking an upgrade, find out if this sewing machine is the perfect match for your creative endeavours.
Discover the key features, performance insights, and uncover why the Janome Sewist 725S might just be the ideal addition to your crafting kit.
Summary
An excellent, easy-to-use machine for beginners, with all the functions and accessories you need to carry out everyday sewing projects.
- Buy now in the UK from Amazon (£379)
- Buy now in the US from Walmart ($375), eBay ($399)
About this expert: Anna-Lisa De’Ath
Anna-Lisa De’Ath has been sewing for over 40 years. Following a degree in Fashion at Central Saint Martins, she has worked as a magazine editor specialising in homes, interiors and crafts and has produced sewing and craft projects for magazines such as Your Home, HomeStyle, Bella, Prima and Good Housekeeping.
When she’s not writing, styling and producing features for interiors magazines, she teaches craft and sewing workshops from her studio in Somerset.
How we tested the Janome Sewist 725S
We thoroughly tested the sewing machine's setup, accessory attachment, and stitching capabilities, exploring a range of fabrics—viscose to denim—to assess its performance across different materials and stitch options.
Is the Janome Sewist 725S good value for money
As a basic, entry-level mechanical sewing machine this model offers excellent value for money as it retails on average in the UK at £379.
It comes with a two-year warranty with the option to extend this by one, two or three years at a cost of £10 per year.
While it offers a good selection of feet and accessories for beginners, there's also a comprehensive range of optional extras available for purchase.
These include a beading foot set, gathering foot, ribbon and sequin foot, and ditch quilting foot, among others, to expand your sewing repertoire.
Replacement parts are available from Janome’s website, while their network of trusted retail partners offer replacement parts and servicing.
What are the Janome Sewist 725S features & stitch options?
Features and tech spec:
- Maximum Stitch Length: 4mm
- Maximum Sewing Speed: 830 s.p.m. (approx.)
- Built-in Stitches: 25, including 1 Step Buttonhole
- Manual Thread Tension Control
- Snap-on Feet for easy attachment, including Automatic Buttonhole Foot and Zipper Foot
- Drop Feed and Needle Threader for added convenience
- Twin Needle Facility and Horizontal Type Spool Pin for versatile stitching options
- Comes with essential accessories, such as Bobbins x 4, Needles, Lint Brush, and Seam Ripper
- Includes a Hard Cover for protection and easy storage.
Stitch options include:
- 25 stitch options including one-step buttonhole, overcasting, quilting and decorative satin stitches
Is the Janome Sewist 725S easy to use?
From the get-go this machine was really easy to set up.
The threading guide on the body facilitated easy bobbin winding and machine setup, while the user-friendly drop-in plastic bobbin and quick-release hook cover plate simplified the process.
Additionally, the drop-down needle threader effortlessly handled the task of threading the needle.
Simple Foot Swapping
Swapping the feet over was really simple, too.
The foot is released by pressing a lever on the back of the foot holder, while the new foot simply clicks into place by lowering the foot holder onto the bar on the foot.
User-Friendly Stitch Selection
The stitch selection dials were clear and easy to read, although we found the selection knob a little clunky to turn.
When it came to choosing and using the 25 stitches on offer, the manual was excellent at guiding us through choosing the right foot, correct stitch length, width and tension to use for the best results from each stitch.
Even a total novice sewist would be able to quickly feel confident working their way through the stitches this machine has to offer.
Helpful measuring guides
As well as seam allowance guides on the needle plate, this machine also had a measuring guide printed on the body of the machine, which is a useful addition to help you keep your project measurements on track.
With a hard case and handle on top, this lightweight machine only weighs 6.7kg, so it’s easy to transport if you need to take it with you to your local sewing classes.
How well did the Janome Sewist 725S perform?
The Sewist 725S was surprisingly smooth and quiet to use, compared to other entry-level machines we’ve used in the past.
Versatile Stitching Options
It coped well with stitching both lightweight and heavyweight fabrics and it offers a good range of stitching options for sewing stretch fabrics too. Although, we did have to play around with the tension a little to get the perfect zigzag stitch, but got there in the end.
The buttonhole function was easy to set up, thanks to the clear instructions in the manual.
Accessory Variety and Storage
In addition to the standard zigzag foot and buttonhole foot, this machine includes a versatile set of accessories such as a zipper foot, overedge foot, blind hemming foot, and automatic buttonhole foot.
The extension table offers handy accessory storage and slides off to allow you to use the free-arm for sewing sleeves etc.
For more adventurous dressmakers, the smocking, pin tucking and shell tucking stitches are an added benefit, while for crafters, the quilting stitch, with its quilting guide accessory, is a boon.
Where to buy the Janome Sewist 725S
- Buy now in the UK from Amazon (£379)
- Buy now in the US from Walmart ($375), eBay ($399)
Our verdict: Should you buy the Janome Sewist 725S?
If you’re a keen beginner and want an excellent entry-level machine this is a great buy.
It comes with plenty of accessories for all your basic sewing needs and boasts 25 stitches and a buttonhole stitch, so it will be more than capable of handling all your everyday sewing projects.
Being a mechanical machine rather than digital, it offers simplicity in operation, making it a great choice for those who prefer not to use digital setup instructions.
At just 6.7kg and with a hard case, it’s light and portable to carry around and feels sturdily built, plus it comes with a two-year warranty for that extra peace of mind.
Looking for other sewing machines?
Check out our complete Gathered guide to the best sewing machines for more of your favourite sewing machine brands, plus and tips and tricks to consider when buying a new sewing machine.
