Comparison Janome Memory Craft 400E vs Janome MC 550E

— Embroidering the letters of the alphabet. The ability to embroider letters of the alphabet using a typewriter. This function is found in computer-controlled models, it is carried out due to a set of letters entered in the memory of the machine. Many models with this feature have several built-in fonts, and some even allow you to upload your own fonts from your computer.

— Differential conveyor. The fabric conveyor, consisting of two gear racks — in front of and behind the needle. Depending on the set mode, such a conveyor can additionally stretch or, conversely, collect fabric during sewing; the first is useful when working with dense fabrics, the second — for knitwear, stretch and other easily stretching materials.

— Reverse. A function that allows you to switch the direction of movement of the fabric under the needle and, accordingly, the direction of the seam. Mainly used for stitching. Reverse is practically obligatory for sewing machines in the classical sense of the word — electromechanical, computerized and sewing-embroidery (see "Type"), but practically does not occur in other types.

— Sleeve platform. A device for working with sleeves, trousers and other similar parts of clothing. This function is most often implemented due to the removable part of the desktop — when it is removed, the table turns into a narrow platform. The specific widt...h of such a device may be different, it should be specified separately.

— Needle threader. A special device designed to facilitate the process of threading a needle. The presence of a needle threader is especially useful when changing threads frequently (for example, sewing alternately with different colours).

— Thread cutter. Mechanism for cutting the threads after sewing, eliminating the need to use scissors: to cut the thread, just press the button. Note that we are talking about an automatic thread cutter; hand tools mounted on the bodies of some machines are not considered thread cutters in this case.

— Sewing without a pedal. The ability to use the machine without connecting the pedal. To start and stop the process in such models, usually, a special button is provided. Such an opportunity can be useful for long sewing, when it would be tiring to keep the pedal constantly depressed, and for occasional use, when the machine starts “for a couple of stitches” and there is no need to fiddle with connecting the pedal.

— Sewing with a double needle. The possibility of using a machine for sewing with a double needle — a pair of needles fixed in one holder. There are different types of such needles and different methods of working with them, and some work is done only with a double needle. Anyway, the use of such devices requires that the machine be initially compatible with them.

— Positioning of the needle (top / bottom). A switch that allows the user to select whether the needle will be in the up or down position after the motor stops. In the absence of such a switch, the needle, usually, stops only in the upper position, and this is not always convenient

— Presser foot pressure adjustment. The ability to change the degree of pressure of the foot on the fabric, adjusting it to the thickness of the material: for thin fabrics (chiffon, knitwear), the pressure should be small, for thick ones — on the contrary.

— Thread tension regulator. A device that allows you to adjust the degree of tension of the upper thread. A mismatch in tension between the top and bottom threads causes one of the threads to pull the other and the seam deteriorates; To avoid this phenomenon, this function is provided. Note that tension adjustment is also possible for the lower thread — it is carried out through the shuttle (all shuttles have this option). But for this it is necessary to remove the bobbin case, or even the entire shuttle. The top regulator is located directly on the body of the machine, and it is much easier to use it.

— Puncture force stabilizer. A device that provides a stable puncture force regardless of the engine speed. A feature of the mechanics of electric motors is that without special adjustment, the puncture force decreases markedly with an increase in speed. This function allows you to maintain approximately the same level over the entire speed range, which has a positive effect on the quality of work.

— Shutdown of the lower conveyor. Possibility to turn off the lower c...onveyor of the machine. This feature is indispensable for work in which the fabric needs to be shifted manually — for example, embroidering along a complex contour on a typewriter without an embroidery unit, sewing on buttons, etc.

— Speed limiter. The ability to set a speed limit for the machine. Thanks to this function, you can not be afraid to "squeeze" the pedal — even with strong pressure, the machine will work at a given speed, and no faster. This feature is useful, in particular, in jobs where you need to carefully control the process.

— Knee lever for lifting the foot. A device that allows you to raise the presser foot and lower the lower feed dog with a knee movement without removing your hands from the fabric. Such a device is useful for quilting and some types of embroidery.

The presence of an embroidery unit in the machine — an additional device in the form of a platform with a hoop that can move under the needle in different directions. In accordance with the name, such a block allows you to automatically embroider various patterns and patterns.

The maximum size of the area that the machine in embroidering mode can process at one time, without re-stretching the fabric on the hoop. In other words, this is the maximum size of the pattern that the device can embroider "in one go."

The meaning of this parameter is obvious: it allows you to evaluate whether the selected model is suitable for embroidering patterns of the planned size.

The number of hoops supplied with the machine.

The presence of several hoops in the kit allows you to minimize interruptions in work: while the machine is embroidering on some hoops, you can fasten the next workpiece to others, and after embroidering, you can quickly replace the hoops.

Types of feet supplied with the sewing machine.

— Universal. A foot used for standard sewing, mainly straight stitches and zigzags.

— Overlock foot. A foot designed for overlocking. By definition, it is found in devices with an overlock function (see “Type”), however, it can also be provided in traditional sewing machines. In the latter case, such a foot, of course, will not replace a full-fledged overlock, but in some situations it allows you to do without it.

— Upper fabric conveyor. An additional top-mounted feed dog in place of the stock foot, in addition to the standard bottom feed dog. Such a device makes it easier to work with thin, delicate and sliding fabrics, as well as sewing together several layers of fabric: the material moves as evenly as possible, without distortions and displacements.

— Foot for sewing in a zipper. The foot for sewing in a zipper can have a different size and design — in particular, there are special devices for sewing in a hidden zipper. The specific features of this device should be clarified separately.

— Foot for decorative stitching. Feet designed for various types of decorative stitching. Such a line may not have a functional role, its main task is to emphasize a certain element of clothing (edges, pockets, individual seams, etc.). Anyway, the stitch line sh...ould usually strictly follow the contour along which it is applied — and this contour can consist of both straight lines and curved lines. Special foots for decorative stitching simplify the task: they are equipped with rulers or other devices that allow you to control the parallelism of the stitches.

— Satin stitch foot. This foot will be suitable for appliqué and other work where zigzag stitches are often used.

— Blind stitch foot. Foot designed for blind seams used when hemming the edge of the fabric. It is equipped with a device that provides a hem of the fabric and in this position feeds it under the needle.

— Quilting foot. Special feet for quilting — patchwork. In such works, it is necessary to sew the fabric in several layers, as well as to perform figured seams. In extreme cases, you can use the usual universal foot for quilting, but using a special device is still much more convenient.

— Monogramming foot. The foot for embroidery of monograms will allow you to make embroidery on any object, thereby "decorating" it with your signature or the emblem of any institution, company, sports club.

— Buttonhole foot. Buttonhole foot. It eliminates the need for manual work. The sewing machine will do everything for you, which will reduce your time and please you with quality.

— Foot for sewing on buttons. A foot designed to hold the button on the fabric while sewing on. It has a special protrusion pointing down: when the main part of the foot is pressed against the button, this protrusion presses the fabric and prevents it from slipping.

In addition to the above, other types of feet may be included in the delivery package — for example, for satin stitching, for processing sections, etc.

Built-in lighting system that illuminates the working table of the machine, which is made on LEDs. In addition to bright illumination of the work area, LED-backlit sewing machines also have lower energy consumption compared to classic lamps.

How to connect a sewing machine to a computer. By itself, such a connection can be used, in particular, to download new patterns or stitches, update the firmware and control the machine from a PC directly. And the connection methods can be as follows:

— USB. Wired connection to a standard USB port. For this purpose, the appropriate cable is provided in the kit. A fairly convenient and versatile option: almost all modern PCs and laptops have USB ports, and such a connection can be used both for file exchange and for direct control of the machine. However, the cable usually has a relatively short length (usually up to 1.5 m), which can create difficulties: it is not always possible to install a sewing machine and a computer at a distance sufficient for connection.

— Card reader. Memory card reader — usually SD/MMC; specific supported SD card standards should be specified separately. In this case, we are not talking about a direct connection but about data exchange: the necessary files (for example, patterns for embroidery) are written from a PC or laptop to the memory card, after which it is inserted into the machine.

— USB / card reader. Ability to work with both of the above connection options. It allows the user to choose the method that is most convenient in the current situation at his discretion.

— Wireless. Connect wirelessly, usually via Bluetooth. The main convenience of such a connection...is the absence of wires, while it works confidently at least at a distance of several metres (within the same room). On the other hand, wireless capabilities affect the cost of the machine, and an additional adapter may be required to connect via Bluetooth to a desktop PC.

The ruler scale applied directly to the body of the sewing machine. This feature allows you to simplify and speed up some measurements in the process of work: attaching the measured segment to the body of the machine is often more convenient than looking for a ruler or centimetre tape.