See the Canadian Premiere of the AQSD at the Creative
A Super-sized machine with the comfort of “sit-down” operation
Janome is pleased to welcome a new, extended family member to our line of machines on display at this week’s Creative Festival. The Artistic Quilter SD 18 (AQSD) is an extended body machine designed with the quilter in mind. It offers the freedom of space available with large quilt frame models, but takes up a fraction of the space. The SD 18 offers and 18″ throat space and the comfort of being able to sit and quilt at a spacious 30″H x 47″W x 30″D table (with a 47 x 24″ fold up leaf). An independent bobbin winder motor allows you to always have a full bobbin at the ready, and the bobbins are type M – the largest capacity in this market.
Want to learn more? Stop by the Janome booth at the Creative for the Canadian debut of this machine. (#CreativFestival) And don’t forget – your entry to the show qualifies you for entering for a chance to win the $10,000 Dream Sewing Studio from Janome.
Janome Life 
Can you tell me if the artistic Sd 18 Janome J20153935 works on 220 voltage.
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Hi Judy,
I will have to check and get back to you.
Liz
JANOME CANADA
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Hi Judy,
This is quite an old post.Both sergers are very similar. WeE still have the XG-43D which is wrap around thread tension and the Four DLM or Four DLB models replaced the Four DLG model. Both are very similar and are both lay in tension threading. Your local Janome dealer can show these to you and explain more about the differences. But yes, all of them will cut, seam and finish + a good deal more too!
Liz
JANOME CANADA
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I do quite a bit of ruler work, and the open toed foot that comes with the machine doesn’t look like you can use a ruler 360 degrees around it..Have you been able to use this foot properly???
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Hi Judy,
Yes, I have used the foot on the machine successfully. Yes, it is limiting on parts of the foot but I have worked around that. We are waiting for the closed toe/ruler foot to come in stock. Please ask your local Janome dealer to order one for you. I am keen to get this foot myself.
Liz
JANOME CANADA
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I was able to get a ruler foot for the Artistic but it’s meant for a machine that’s in a frame so the notch is on the side and gives me little visibility. Is the ruler foot you are talking about oriented for the sit-down?
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Hi Marion,
My information is that the frame foot and foot for SD18 are exactly the same. But as I have not seen this foot, perhaps not. WE will investigate further.
Liz
JANOME CANADA
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Hi Liz,
Is the ruler foot for the Artistic Quilter SD now available from my dealer? and what exactly is it called & part number ? can you provide price?
Thanks,
Christine
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Hi Christine,
No, sorry. we don’t have the closed toe “ruler” foot for this machine. We are unable to get it to sell through our Janome/Artistic dealers. Please contact a Tin Lizzie dealer who may be able to assist you. Please note that this “ruler” foot some people are buying for the SD18 is actually for the Tin Lizzie long arm on a frame so has a different configuration to the SD18. I do have one of these feet and it sure works. I like it although I was doing ruler quilting with the open toe foot which came with the machine too. However, it is for a side configuration whereas the SD 18 is a front configuration. Just want you to be aware that the centre groove on the foot is not in the centre front position. It is center side. I am not concerned about this as I dont really use that mark. But,like I said, wanted you to be aware of this.
Liz
JANOME CANADA
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I have had my Artistic SD for 4 mo. It takes practice…practice…practice to get the hands and foot pedal speeds to give you the stitch you are looking for. The stitch speed you choose makes a difference too…..lots to learn. I would be interested in thread types & wts All l I have been told so far is 40 or 50 wt. but not the type ( cotton, poly etc) Any ideas would be appreciated
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Hi Judith,
It sure sounds like you have been on an exciting adventure getting to know your Artistic SD18 quilter and perfect your free motion skills on this great machine. Don’t you just love the speed of up to 3000spm? I am amazed at how quickly I get my projects finished.
As regards thread, you have many options. You will have noticed that the needle is a large one – size 16 – which is due to the speed of the machine. A real strong needle is required. So the eye is also larger which allows you to use thicker threads if you wish so I would not necessarily stick with 40 & 50wt threads. Most of the time, you will probably use this weight – cotton, poly are both 100% fine. Whatever brand or colour you fancy for your project.
You can experiment with other thread types like invisible etc but you may have to slow the speed of the machine a little or loosen thread tension for more delicate threads. I recommend Wonderfil’s Invisifil which is super thin 100wt thread but very strong polyester. I have had success with this when I want subtle free motion.
Enjoy experimenting!
Liz
JANOME CANADA
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Before I purchase the Artistic Quilter SD, does it come with different quilting feet like the long arm machines, ruler feet, etc, the halo hoop works wonderfully for the movement of the FMQ project’s .
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Hi Sheila,
At this time we don’t have optional accessory feet for the Artistic SD18 but I hope we will be able to offer these eventually when they are available. I have not felt hampered by the foot that comes with the SD18. I love it for free motion as well as ruler work and other projects. I have indeed used the Quilt Halo on the SD 18 an do like it. I also love my quilters gloves too for helping me grip & move fabric easily without undue stress on hands & shoulders etc.
Liz
JANOME CANADA
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Confused about needles! At a class recently the instructor at the store where they sell the SD18 told us we should use size 16 needles as an ‘average’ size….the machine came with size 20! We have bought some 18’s but still having some issues with the hole size punched in the fabric. Also we were sold needles with the number but no MR on them and were told by another online supplier that this machine should use needles that say MR! Can you clarify for me? Thanks.
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Hi Cathy,
The needle in the Artistic SD18 from the factory is a size 18. Yes, it makes a largish hole but on a quilting cotton that is no big deal as it closes over. The reason for the larger needle is because of the speed of the machine – up to 3000spm. This is an industrial motor and thus requires industrial needles which are larger & thicker. We do not recommend you use smaller needles due to the movement of the fabric together with the high speed of the motor. If a smaller needle is used, it might bend very slightly or deflect as you move the fabric which is not good as it can then strike the needle plate and/or foot and break & possibly damage the machine.
Please refer to page 17 of the instruction manual. The needle in the machine is 134RSAN. And in the Parts List page 3 which came with the machine the needle is listed as DBx1-2#22.
My understanding is that these are just different names for the same thing – see the various needle sizing descriptions on the spare package included with the machine. Like metric & imperial, there are different size names for needles.
The needle you need is an industrial round needle (ie not flat back like in a regular sewing machine) and size 18. I google and found this link which you may find useful https://www.universalsewing.com/tek9.asp?pg=needles_groz_beckert
Liz
JANOME CANADA
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Does the sit down quilter come with handles like a stand up quilter would have? I have a tin Lizzie that is on a large frame and I am selling it and looking into a Janome sit down.
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No, Kathy, it does not. Handles are for stand up long arm machines. When you sit down at our SD18 model, you move the fabric , not the machine, so you do not need handles.
Liz
JANOME CANADA
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just purchased the artistic sd, and wow what a lovely machine. I have played some but find I cannot move the fabric smoothly. is there a secret in doing so? is there a help group [such as yahoo], to help? I am in Canada, and find most things to join are American. have 8 quilts here that are sandwiched and ready to roll. any good hints.
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Hi Shirley,
Hard to say why you are struggling to move the fabric. I had no difficulty. Is the foot high enough above the fabric? Check that? Is the machine sitting flush with the level of the table? What is the speed of the machine vs the speed at which you are moving the fabric? I would contact the dealer you bought it from and ask for assistance as it is hard to guess here.
Many times it is a matter of practice and getting into the groove with the a new machine so you may also just need to allow your self time for that to happen.
Liz
JANOME CANADA
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I have purchased a Artistic Quilter SD 18. My question is what kind of needles should I be using and what kind of thread is best for this machine. The needles that were given to me with the machine are Signers needles. Should I have special needles for a Long arm quilter.
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Hi Anne Marie,
I am sure the manual lists the needles that should be used. I don’t recall the brand of the needles (there is a whole pack included with the machine) but I do know they are the industrial round needles (ie not flat back). Your dealer should be able to advise you which needles to purchase when the included pack is used.
Liz
JANOME CANADA
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Oh my, what a beauty! Will it be also available in Europe?
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Hi Joanna,
Not sure….you would need to check with your Janome dealer & distributor.
Liz
JANOME CANADA
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This is one beautiful machine finally it is here not only good looking but just like other machines it will be more convenient in many ways. Wow.
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