The phrases life-saver, worth it’s weight in gold, a value at twice the price are what first come to mind:   The Janome 15000 app is simply amazing.  I have delayed blogging and reviewing it because I wanted to view ALL the videos first.  I came to realize there is simply so much content packed into this App that it would take eons for me to go through all of the videos, and I should simply go ahead and say:  if you are lucky enough to have the Janome 15000, unless you are an expert like Jim and Diane Stutsman, BUY THIS App!!!!!

When you type Janome 15000 into the App Store search box, you’ll get this screen. You will see a “buy” and price. On mine, it has the Download box since I’ve already got it.

To buy it, you’ll want to use your iOS device (iPad usually but also works on iPhone, just smaller for seeing) to open the App store.  Type Janome 15000 into the search box to reach the App which sells for $59.95.  If you don’t have a Janome, you can still learn from Jim and Diane via the FootBook, their App (reviewed FootBook Review) about how to use Janome presser feet.  Don’t let that dissuade you:  this modestly priced ($6.99) app shows how to use various feet that are common to all machines.  Even though the foot name might be different from one brand to the next, how they work carries over.

When you go to the App store on your iOS device, put Software Miracles into the search box to bring up this screen.  The FootBook is pictured on the left.  The Janome 15000 pretty much covers all the territory on the FootBook, so you don’t need both.  However, since many of my readers aren’t lucky enough to have the 15000, I’m including this for their information.

The Janome 15000 App is a “manual” for the Janome 15000 with videos, photos, and incredible and extensive detail that covers

• Home Screen Functions
• Embroidery Functions
• Home Screen Applications
• Optional Feet
• Quick Start Videos
• Set Screen Functions (how to customize the machine)
• HorizonLink Suite (an optional embroidery software from Janome)
• iPad Apps (including the included with the 15000 Acu Monitor and AcuEdit)
• Accessories (Using the optional Clothsetter)
• Free Motion Quilting

Here’s what you see when you open the App:

When you open the Janome 15000 App, here’s what you see…don’t forget to scroll down, there is a LOT more!

There are multiple videos and tutorials for each of the above major sections.  As with their impressive FootBook App (which is about how to use Janome feet, but frankly works for most feet/brands, blogpost here), there is a ton of information   In the Home Screen Applications section alone there are tutorials on (photo just below).

• Seaming
• Overedge
• Blind Hem and Shell Tuck
• Rolled Hem
• Zippers
• Gathering
• Bating
• Button Sewing
• Tacking
• Applique
• Patchwork
• Quilting

Here’s just part of what is on this information-packed app.

This app is essentially a whose SERIES of sewing lessons that are useful even if you aren’t on the 15000 (though they are geared to using the screens and pre-sets on this machine).   And, because it is an App, not a disc, Jim and Diane can update the software easily.  Once there is an update, you can download the update as part of  your original purchase price, which means you get the benefit of improvements down the line.

As I said when I reviewed the FootBook, I have been hand-sewing since I was about 7, and Mother let me start to machine sew when I was about 9.  I am pretty close to expert having made garments, worked for an interior designer making high-end home dec items, and been both a traditional and art quilter (published, exhibited, yada yada).  Well, I learned stuff from this App, which means that it is crazy comprehensive.

For me, with my experience, the embroidery instructions are the most useful, and I am so grateful to have these on my iPad so I can watch them while I am working at my machine.   I don’t have the Horizon Link Suite (because I’m not wild for embroidery), but I can tell you if I did I would use these videos as my step-by-step learning process.  Another thing that is amazing, Jim has a Yahoo group for owners of the Janome 12000 and 15000.  I joined before Janome lent me one just to start learning.  Jim’s help there has also been phenomenal.   If you are interested, you can go Janome 15000 yahoo group to ask to join the group.

The Stutsmans have a website, OnLineSewing.com.  Here’s a link to the page with info on the Janome 15000 app, and another link for the FootBook. There is helpful information on what you need in terms of tablets for viewing (with generation etc).

Bottom Line and Last Word:  If you have the Janome 15000, unless you are the most expert Janome 15000 person on the planet, you will learn something from this App and be able to use and learn from it.

So besides photography, what have I been up to these past six months and more?  Well, a lot of teaching, a lot of work, and not a lot of free time.  And oh yeah, being exhausted from the thyroid stuff (which is FINALLY improving…we may finally have the right RX…will see in a month).  So I have neglected the blog plain and simple.   I’ll try to fix that!  Today just a brief tease:

Lonnie Rossi embroidery design available from Janome, included on the Janome 15000.  The red and green will be part of what I plan to do with this block.  Sorry the photo is a little blurry–I’ll fix that by the time I get the project done! 

Can you believe that I, the “never do anyone else’s designs” person and “embroidery really isn’t me”, have enjoyed learning about embroidery on the phenomenal Janome 15000 that I currently have on loan (thank you again Janome-America).  Most of the included designs are, well, why “embroidery is not me.”  But Lonni’s designs ROCK!   The one above was done in a totally different colorway–soft greens, some peach.   Well, not me.   Has opened up a world of possibilities, including perhaps some of MY designs finally getting refined and submitted for consideration by Janome!  [Taylor, I promise, I really have stuff for you! I just need to make it good enough to send in!]

As part of the Janome Artist-Teacher loan program, I make stuff that Janome can blog about or use in their booths to show what can be done with their machines.  I thought the flowers looked like poinsettia as well as chrysanthemums, so I changed up the thread colors to reds, green and gold (not metallic).

I am also not someone that loves fiddling with computerized stuff on a machine.  I have to say, this machine has made it SO EASY.   Another thing that has helped immensely if an App from Jim and Diane Stutsman, available for iOS devices (iPad and iPhone), that teaches you everything but everything about the 15000.  I’ll review that in my next post.  It costs only $59.95 US, and all I can say is that if you have this machine, you will NOT regret spending that $60.  Totally worth it.

Anyway, when the winter Janome project is made with this design, of course I’ll share here.  The pattern will be available for free (here or on Janome or both…I’ll let you know), along with exact thread colors, yardage, etc.   Stay tuned!

Gosh it feels good to be back in touch (and have a functioning brain and body…now, to do something about the pudge and lack of fitness….)!

As many of my loyal readers know, I sew on a Janome.  I have been incredibly fortunate to be a part of their artists and teachers loan program for an embarrassingly, blissfully long time.  THANK YOU, JANOME AMERICA (and yes, I’m shouting!)  As part of this program, I gladly and happily make things which they can use, whether it is a banner for their booth (and also used in their adverts!), a project used online, asking to teach in Janome classrooms at big shows, you  name it.  This season, I have been using a (gasp, gulp!) top of the line 15000 embroidery and quilting machine.  Links for a free tutorial on this caddy are at the end of this post.

Embroidered Caddy for Janome America. The sewing machine is a built-in design on the top of the line Janome 15000.  Right Click to see larger.  Thanks to Jean S.  I know now this design was created by Jill Buckley, who has fun stuff on her blog here.  Nice to meet you Jill!

Embroidery you say?   Well, I never would have thought that *I* would fall in love with machine embroidery–the pre-programmed kind, but I have.   I’ve got a project for fall that will be awesome using one of Lonni Rossi’s designs built into the machine.  But for spring, I have made that lovely little tote!  It is 4×8 inches (footprint), 5 inches tall.   I used two embroidery designs that are included on the machine along with the initials that are one of several included alphabets (see photo below for the other side).

One of the things that most surprised me is how easy the interface is with the software.  I’m not very patient with that sort of computer-ish stuff (and after all, these machines are really computers that sew).  This was SO EASY to size, position, all of it.  Even *I* could do it using the manual–no classes needed!  And utterly cool:  there is an iPad app that allows you to do stuff elsewhere in the house. With the iPad and your 15000 sharing your wifi network, you can view the progress of the stitch-out so you know if you need to go to your sewing machine and change thread colors or insert a full bobbin.  Totally cool!

FREE TUTORIAL!

Best of all, this project has just been featured on Janome’s blog where you can find a link to free instructions!   Today you can see my project here as a featured project.  Scroll down their blog to April 1 for a blogpost  on it.  Or go straight to the project, here.  At the bottom of that post is a link to download a PDF of my full instructions.

Here’s a view of the other side and the end:

Side two: the Heart is also an included design, the font is called “Galant” and is also included on the machine. It was surprisingly easy to create the design on the machine. And if you happen to be my BFF living on SJI with the initials MZJ, yep–this is a sneak peek at part of your birthday present! Red is the theme this year…..Right click to see larger.

End view of the caddy. I used one of the built-in decorative stitches on the handle.

Thank you again, Janome, for years of support.  Your fabulous machines make it possible for me to do what I do!