This week I posted my review on PatternReview.com and I’d like to share it with you here.

What BendingPins likes about this machine
I was originally looking for an industrial machine as my Viking Sapphire 850 struggled with edge stitching, I was initially looking at the Juki DDL 8300 (or 8500) but purchased the Juki HZL F600 sight unseen and without testing it personally, on the recommendations of PR members and my local sewing machine repair dude. I chose the F600 over the industrial because I still needed to make button holes and a few other utility stitches. I am not disappointed! From the moment I took him home, plugged him in (yes, this is a man baby!) and put my foot on his, it was LOVE and first stitch!

This bad boy is Q.U.I.E.T.! You could sew merrily in a library and no one would know. I can watch a movie at normal volume while sewing away, it reminds me of my old Baby Lock Crafter’s Choice in the audio department.

The Juki F600 comes with a plethora of not just bells and whistles, but accessories and presser feet as well!

Features:
Automatic Needle Threader
Start/Stop Button
Direct Select Stitch Panel
7-Pt Feed Dog
12mm Extra High Foot Lift
Free Arm
10 Memory Slots holding up to 70 patterns each

Presser Feet Included:
- Walking Foot
- Patchwork Foot
- Free Motion Foot
- Zipper Foot
- Overcasting Foot
- Blindhem Foot
- Manual Button Hole Foot
- Electronic Button Hole Foot
- Open Toe Foot
- Edge Sewing Foot
- Teflon Foot

Included Accessories (Not including feet):
Hard Case
Knee Lift Lever
Wide Extension Table
4 Bobbins
Eyelet Punch
Quilt Guide
Small, Medium, Large Spool Caps
Special Screw Driver
Auxiliary Spool Pin
Seam Ripper
Twin Needles

Stitches:
225 built in stitches
10 Direct Select Patterns
23 Practical Patterns
16 Buttonhole Patterns
67 Decorative Quilt Patterns
Including 17 Juki Exclusive Random Stitch Patterns
72 Decorative Patterns
38 One Point Patterns
Elongation of Satin Patterns 1-5X
4 Alphabets including
upper & lower case,
numbers, punctuation and European characters

Specifications:
Sewing Speed: Max. 900SPMMin. 80SPM
Stitch Length: Max. 5mm
Stitch Width: Max. 7mm
Presser Foot Lift: 2-step lifter Max. 12mm (.47″)
Needle: HAx1 #9~#16
Dimensions (mm): 445(W)x290(H)x210(D)
Weight (machine): 9.8kg (21.6 lb)

The only other accessory you might consider purchasing for this machine is a straight stitch plate, which is in the CAD$100.00 range. I haven’t purchased it yet but since I’m getting into quilting, I’m considering it. I haven’t had any problems piecing fabric with the regular plate so I’m debating if it’s worth it.

Although this machine has automatic tension you also have the ability to adjust the tension yourself, and not just upper and bobbin tension but presser foot as well. I wasn’t able to do so with the Sapphire and the presets didn’t always work but there was nothing you could do about it. With the Juki HZL series, you have full control, if you want it.

The button holes aren’t as perfect as the Sapphire but the Juki isn’t as fussy about fabric! I could never trust the Sapphire to make a perfect button hole every time, if the wind wasn’t blowing at the correct velocity in the right direction, it would either sew backwards indefinitely or create a great mound of thread in one place which might ruin your fabric. I can depend on my Juki to make a button hole where I want it, every time!

With 225 stitches, I haven’t been able to try them all and it wasn’t the reason I chose this machine. I’m pleased with the straight stitch and other utility stitches I’ve used such as zig-zag and blind hem. I stitched out my name and wasn’t impressed but neither was I impressed with the Sapphire, that’s why I have a stand alone embroidery machine. I do plan to use decorative stitches on some of my husband’s shirts and perhaps quilting. Some have complained that the basting stitch isn’t big enough but I don’t have a problem with it.

The box feed works wonderfully, it pulls the fabric evenly and true. With the edge stitching foot, you’re able to stitch extremely close to the edge of your work while 7 feed dogs guide your fabric. Hemming jeans is a breeze when you can glide over thick seams.

The foot controller is fantastic, it stays in place while you sew, it’s not flimsy or cheap, it’s tough with rubber that sticks to the floor. It has a place underneath to neatly wind the cable and a place for the plug. It also has an automatic thread cutter which is activated by pressing firmly on your heel.

For the bonus round, the Juki HZL F600 accepts Janome bobbins and Baby Lock/Brother presser feet.

This machine gives you a lot of bang for your buck, I don’t think there are any other machines on the market that give you this much — walking foot, wide extension table, knee lift, automatic thread cutter AND a separate motor to wind bobbins, for the same price.

I don’t know if the Juki HZL F600 is for everyone but it’s the bee’s knees for me! I’m thrilled with all it can do as well as all the extras it came with not to mention the price tag. This machine has made sewing effortless for me.

What Bending Pins does not like about this machine

Sometimes (twice) I’ve had problems inserting a new needle and I’m not sure why. My beloved had to help me by turning the machine upside-down and lining up the components. I haven’t mentioned it to my sewing machine dude but I really should!

Not included in my review: I really love my Juki F600, if I had to do it all over again, I’d buy it, AGAIN!

One very wise piece of advise I was given by my Viking dealer is, “New needles are cheap, sewing machine repairs are not, always use a new needle!” I will always follow these wise words and would advise you to do the same.

I love this goofy video!