I have been using the Janome Skyline S9 for almost two years now and it really has become my go-to sewing machine. I just love how versatile it is!
One minute I am sewing a quilt, the next doing some machine embroidery, then some apparel sewing and finally, finishing off a mask or two. This machine can really go from one project to the next.
Recently I finished a quilt for a friend. I mentioned it a few posts back. There was a lot of embroidery work on this (like hours of embroidery!) and I was so grateful for the Janome aps. Specifically the Janome AcuMonitor ap which helps me manage my projects on the machine while still attending to other things in the house (even if by other things I mean catching up on my favourite tv show series).
Once the embroidery was done, I finishing quilting the top by stitching in the ditch using the AcuFeed Flex™ Dual Feed Holder with AD Foot to ensure that both the top and bottom of my quilt moved through the machine in unison. It helps guide all those layers through and gives my quilts a beautiful quilted finish.
To switch things up from quilting and embroidery, I love to work on some apparel sewing.
I’ve been trying to be very intentional about my wardrobe lately and have made a commitment to sew more apparel pieces to make up my capsule collection. I have tended to shy away from knit apparels in the past but this year I’m taking on these projects head on. Not only can I sew with a twin needle on this machine to ensure a nice finish around the neck line and arm holes but…
…for sewing knit on the interior of my apparel projects, I tend to use stitch number 13 on the Utility stitch menu. I find it has a nice finish on the exterior of my project and still gives the final product a good stretch.
And to finish off the hem of my dress I used Blind Foot Hem G to give my dress a nice finish.
This dress was made using McCalls pattern 8058. Being a quick finish is definitely a plus but it’s also a great classic shape. I did change the neckline as I like something not so deep and I know this pattern will be in rotation for years to come.
And like many of you, I’ve been making masks for months now. And it feels like we will be making them for some time to come. Why not have a little fun with them and make some masks to match your wardrobe and your mood! With Halloween on the way, I made a few for the teachers at my daughter’s daycare. They now have to wear them all day long and I thought perhaps the Halloween ones might make the kids smile. This one even glows in the dark!
My absolute favourite foot for making masks is the HP foot. It sews such a beautiful straight line and works through bulk like butter!
See – from quilts to embroidery to apparel to mask making – the Janome Skyline S9 really can do it all!
Do you sew a lot of different projects on your machine?
Janome Life 
Loading my design into my S9
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I’m using my S9 for garment and embroidery for my small home business.
It’s an amazing machine and I”m glad I purchased it as my first.
I”m always worried about fabric thickness being used.
Is the S9 designed to sew denim? I plan on working with a lot denim in 2021.
I ask because I’m unsure if I should purchase an HD1k or 3k or the HD9.
I greatly appreciate any recommendations.
Jeromy
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Hi Jeromy,
We are glad you are enjoying using your Janome S9.
The fabrics you use as well as the needles suitable for that fabric + machine settings are important considerations when making a project. Bag makers who routinely use cork, vinyl, leather and multiple layers of bag stiffening and interfacing etc report that they love our Janome HD9. It is a straight stitch only machine and gives excellent stitching through heavy, thick layers. The HD1000 and HD3000 are also great Heavy Duty machines.
Your S9 should manage sewing on denim if you use the correct needle, thread, foot and machine settings. However, I don’t have specifics on what denim sewing you will be doing. I can suggest using the Acufeed Flex foot as that is very good for feeding fabrics. And a denim or other stronger needle is recommended for sewing denim. As is the correct thread for this fabric.
Please also note that our sewing machines are for domestic home use and are not designed to be used for commercial sewing. Please check your warranty card.
Liz
JANOME CANADA
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Good morning. Are there or will there be any bigger embroidery hoop for the s9? I have the three size hoops that came with the machine.
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Hi Faye,
I doubt it. The Skyline S9 has been around for a number of years and I am not aware of any plans to add hoops for this machine. I can certainly put the suggestion forward but I think the configuration of the machine and length of the embroidery arm will be the factor which limits any larger hoops being added. When all is said and done, we have a range of embroidery machines which all have different features and hoop sizes. Some have WIFI ( and the APPS) like your S9, others have larger hoops like the 550E and Mc15000. We do not put all our features and hoops onto one machine as different people want different things.
Liz
JANOME CANADA
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Hi again Liz. Thanks for suggesting my version of Digitizer Jr just might need to be updated. The version I have is 3.0. I bought it in 2011 when I bought my Janome Memory Craft machine. It says on the box…”copyright 1999-2009″. I’m not sure how to find out if it can be updated. I’ll do some research. Thank you so very much for all your help.
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Hi,
If you install it on your computer, and go to Help >> About, that tells you what version it is.
Liz
JANOME CANADA
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Hi there, Trina brilliant timing!
I just this minute tore open a package of gorgeous French Terry to complete my first-ever “knit” fabric project. Thought I’d spend some time looking for tips first! Pow! There was today’s Janome Life! I am a fairly new sewist and Skyline 9 user but knock-on-wood so far I love it. The manual is pretty good and always by my side. Always happy to see an S9 article here too. Be Well, Happy Sewing!
Cheers,
Ruth
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Hi Ruth,
YAY!!! glad you found the post useful. Enjoy the learning process with your S9 – it will be a creative fun journey!
Liz
JANOME CANADA
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This was such an excellent read!!! It’s about time MY Skyline 9 was featured! I read all of the emails I receive from Janome. But it always seems that the really super pricey machines are featured. Although the Skyline 9 certainly is not cheap…I love watching videos and reading and viewing as much as I can to learn more. I’ve had mine for a couple of years now and have used it for many, many types of projects. I love that I can sew garments and various items, quilt, and embroider with it. I’d like to see more articles featuring the embroidery…and the built in capabilities of this beautiful machine. Thanks for your article. Well written, informative and wonderful photos. I’d like to learn more about your process of embroidering those blocks and perhaps the sewing together of your quilt. It’s lovely. And so is that dress.
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Well, Sherrie, all I can say is that you have missed the many posts we have done on the S9. Trina has had her S9 for TWO years already and she writes a post for us EVERY month. AND before that another artisan had the S9 for the longest time and she wrote regular posts on this machine as well. We have seriously offered a LOT on the S9 on an ongoing basis for more years than I can shake a stick at! I’m sorry you have missed these as that is a pity. Do you follow our blog? If not, perhaps that is why as an email is sent to you every time we publish a post.
And we have covered embroidery and the apps many, many times here on Janome Life. May I suggest you do a search for S9 topics in the search box. I think you will be in for a big surprize!
Please also remember that even though we may offer a video or blog post featuring a different machine, most of it may well apply to the S9. Certainly anything on the Apps applies equally to the S9 and Mc15000.
Liz
JANOME CANADA
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Thanks for your quick reply, Liz. I did as you suggested and went to the Blog. Signed up now! When I clicked on Trina’s name…oh my…a monthly post for the Skyline 9 showed up! Thanks for letting me know. I guess I have been disappointed in trying to take in all I can about this beautiful machine. I had a Janome Memory Craft machine before I bought my Skyline 9 a couple of years ago. We live in a very small town here in the UP of Michigan…but we do have a dealership. However, there aren’t classes offered and it’s difficult to learn about all the embroider hoop stuff. I’ve been sewing for over 60 years and still enjoy it so much. But learning how to program stuff into my machine (such as words, phrases, and mixes of words and images) is not easy. I guess I need to pay more attention to other model info and not specifically to my particular model. I’m a really ambitious techy person. Love all the technology out there. But I still haven’t downloaded the apps nor used the wi-fi for my machine. I desire to learn. Videos are the easiest for me to understand. Another thing I’ve learned quite a bit about by doing searches is how to use all the different feet available. I appreciate your getting back to me. Thanks.
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Hi Sherrie,
YAY!! just take it at your pace and give yourself time to absorb the new features.
We do things differently here in Canada. We have this very successful and long standing blog (More than 10 years of posts). We also have a You Tube channel called Janome Life.
We also have a Sewing and Learning Centre in Oakville Ontario and if you check out this JL blog on Sunday, you will see a post about upcoming online classes. One of them is on the S9.
But having said that, you are a US resident and Janome America also offers LOTS. They have a very active Facebook group (Janome Sewing Machines with ongoing videos and more) as well as Artistic Digitizer Facebook group, You Tube channel and more. There are loads of resources. You just need to look for them and access.
Liz
JANOME CANADA
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Best mask pattern yet. Our eye doctor approved and so did my husbands physiotherapist. Works so well. Thank you. Have made every model or style that I’ve seen but thrilled with this one.
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YAY!!! So good when a plan comes together. And not a moment too soon as a friend told me last night that she is hearing in medical circles that this is unlikely to be over until summer 2022! which was rather horrifying to hear – hope it is not true.
Liz
JANOME CANADA
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Oh my goodness, Liz. I can’t even begin to tell you how much I appreciate all the sources you’ve led me to. Subscribed to a couple of YouTube channels, blogs, and asked to join a couple of FB groups. There’s even more out there than I ever imagined! I might just look into that Artistic Digitizer. Thing is, in 2011 I purchased the Digitizer Jr (for my then Janome machine) from my local shop. Paid $500 for it! And it’s never even been used. So I hesitate to spend a chunk of $$ on a new one. My other one is still in it’s DVD case… dongle and all. So sad. The local shop didn’t really know anything about how to use it. So I was up the creek! But I do thank you so very much for all your guidance. And I’ll watch some videos, etc. relating to the Digitizer. We will see. Again…thank you from the bottom of my heart.
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Hi Sherrie,
YAY!!! So glad you are connected to our resources.
Do you know what version your Digi Junior is? Should be somewhere on the box? Asking as it might need to be updated to include the S9 hoops but essentially is similar to Artistic Digitizer Junior. It will allow you to do what I was explaining in my last message. Auto digitizing of a logo ( from a graphic) and easily adding a font you require.
Liz
JANOME CANADA
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