The New Janome Horizon Memory Craft 12000 has been launched!!!!

At long last the new Janome top of line sewing and embroidery machine has arrived! And, believe me, it is worth the wait!
The Horizon Memory Craft 12000 has so much to offer, from over 300 hundred built in embroidery designs, and four hoops to embroider them out on at up 1000 stitches per minute! The largest hoop being 230mm x 300mm, that's 9" by nearly 12"!!
Over 400 built in sewing and decorative stitches... to 9mm width!!
Easy Pivoting with Auto Presser Foot Lift!
Ten built in lights, and easy needle plate conversion, variable zig zag for free machine embroidery!
Horizon Link software program for your computer which allows you to do all your editing on your laptop and then send via a direct link cable!
The embroidery arm still works to the back on the machine, and packs away neat and compact when not in use. For the full features list please click HERE and go to our main website.
And now, for a behind the scenes look at our preparation for our grand veiling at Alexandra Palace Knit and Stitch exhibition in October.....
When we launch any new machine, but especially a new top of line machine, all the staff involved need to get to know the machine inside out... we live, breath and eat the machine for weeks so we are fully confident to show you everything you ask us!
As much of our sewing work is done in the evening, after normal working hours are over, one of the best features about this machine came in very useful, the lighting. Ten lights in total, and a retractable High Light. This gave clear lighting all night long!
The light retracts back into the machine when you are not using it, and their is also a AcuView Magnifier to help see stitching around the needle. (this isn't in the photograph).
Over 400 stitches... just fabulous! All the decorative stitches are 9mm wide and the buttonholes can be customized as well to 9mm. Many of the stitches are brand new, and some of my favourites are the hand look stitches.
All Janome staff who will be working at the customer launch of the Horizon Memory Craft 12000 at Alexandra Palace, make samples on the machine, this helps us to learn the machine, and creates some wonderful inspiring pieces for display on the stand.
One of the pieces I created, was a draft excluder, using the gorgeous Babushka design of the 12000 and some of the fabulous 9mm decorative stitches. There are three Babushka designs built into the machine, I took these into Digitizer MBX and re-sized so I had eight dolls. The "Once in a small Russian town. there lived a woman called Babushka", is embroidered using one of the new fonts in Digitizer MBX, "Run Cardigan".The stitches above the Babushka designs are some of the new Hand Look Embroidery stitches, they are quite heavy looking and simulate embroidery done by hand with stranded thread.
I embellished the yellow fabric with rows of 9mm decorative stitches, and the Ric Rac finished the look!
The Babushka Draft Excluder looked great on the Horizon Memory Craft 12000 display, along with other samples made by Maureen Brown and various Janome Experts. (freelance textile artists, quilters etc).
The other sample I created for the Horizon Memory Craft 12000 display was a clasp handbag with a gorgeous big embroidery! This clasp was purchased from U-Handbag, who sell everything you need to make stunning bags.
I used one of the biggest embroidery designs on the machine, and using Digitizer MBX, I edited the design and added an extra 3 roses and leaves to give the design a better shape to fit my bag design. Here, you can see me embroidering the extra Roses and I used the tacking feature within embroidery to help hold the fabric in place. I am really pleased with the finished bag, and I can't wait to get chance to use it one day!

The handbag was displayed with other Horizon Memory Craft 12000 samples. Ruth Cox, our Southern Regional Sales Manager, made the Lingerie Bag using the Cross Stitch Alphabet, and the corset bodice with lace butterfly designs off the machine.
We had a wonderful time at the Knitting and Stitching Show, and as you can see, we were very busy!
Everyone loved the new Horizon Memory Craft 12000, and the feedback we recieved was very exciting. I can't wait to see what some of the first people to buy the machine will make on it!
Since the Alexandra Palace Knitting and Stitching Show, selected stockists have had Horizon Memory Craft training at Janome Head Office. The machine is now available to buy through selected shops. To find your local Horizon Memory Craft 12000 dealer, please contact our Head Office on 0161 6666011.

A creative Horizon event @ Brewers Sewing Machines in Wolverhampton

On Friday I had a lovely day with Kathleen and Alan at Brewers Sewing Machines in Wolverhampton. We ran two Horizon Test Drive events, and all the ladies had a wonderful time being crafty on the new Janome machine! Just look at the smiles below! The book covers we made show all the main features of the new Janome Horizon, and are a great idea for quick and easy Christmas gifts! I'm sure a few more will be made over the next few weeks!
This was the last Janome Horizon event this year, and the "roadshow" has taken me all over the North of England... and Scotland! The farthest North was Keith, about an hour past Aberdeen! We held the workshop in a lovely room above the shop, and Kathleen and Frances (two ladies in the middle) kept us fed and watered with plenty of teas, coffee's and biscuits! Thank you ladies!

Kathleen took the opportunity to join in the Horizon workshop, and made a beautiful book cover sample for the shop... and even one for herself to keep!

Brewers Sewing Machines was established in 1958 and are the main agent in the area for Janome machine, overlockers, accessories and software.

For more information on Brewers, visit their website. http://www.brewersuk.co.uk/ or why not follow them on Facebook

For more information about Janome machines and events, check out www.janome.co.uk

David Nutt hosts a Janome Horizon event!

I had a busy day this week at David Nutts Sewing Machines in Bloxwich. Two full workshops of ladies who wanted to try the new Janome Horizon before they buy! I think some husbands are going to get a lot of sweet talking too over the next few days, and a few ladies are hoping Santa will bring will make this their Christmas gift! All the ladies had a wonderful time, and I think they will be making several book covers each to give away for Christmas presents.

The Acufeed on the Janome Horizon machine is fantastic for stitching over uneven and bulky seams, and top stitched the book cover below...no problem.

And look at the beautiful stitches, sewn with the Janome Border Guide Foot... no wonder the ladies couldn't resist wanting one for Christmas!

David Nutt hosts various sewing, dressmaking and free machine workshops in his classroom above the shop.

He is starting a new Sewing Club in the new year, with his regular tutor Marie Breslin. This club will meet the first and third Thursday of every month and the first Saturday of every month. You can bring your own project and work at your own pace, and Marie will be on hand to help. Places are limited to four people, so book early to avoid disappointment.

For more information, please see David's website or Maria Breslin 's website.

To find a Janome event in your area, check out Janome UK website.

A wonderful day out @ Whitley Bay!

Singer @ Whitley bay hosted an Horizon event in their dedicated sewing class room for ladies who were considering the new Janome long arm quilting machine.... but wanted to have to good play on it first! As you can see from the smiles below... everyone had a wonderful day and some had to take the machine home with them there and then! Singer @ Whitley Bay run a varied selection of workshops and regular classes, from dressmaking to patch work and quilting. Check out their website for more information or call the shop on 0191 2525825.

Apart from Janome sewing machines, the shop stocks a range of patchwork and quilting supplies, haberdashery and trimmings and various other sewing and knitting accessories... well worth a visit next time you are in the area!

To find a Horizon event in your area, check out the Janome website.

Test out the new Janome Horizon @ Bambers!

Bambers was established in 1946 by Roy Bambers, and is now ran by Roy's son's, Alan and Steve. It has traded from various locations around the Manchester area, and now has large premises on Liverpool Road, just off J11 on the M60. Bamber's has the full range of Janome machines on display, so just pop in for a demonstration or check out any new Janome accessories! Today, we held a Janome Horizon Test Drive event, a great opportunity for ladies to try out the machine before they purchase. The Jog Dial, which can be seen below, is a quick way of choosing stitches... and look at the huge clear extension table... this is included with the machine!

There classroom has lots of space to spread out and great natural light, an ideal place for sewing. They hold several regular sewing and quilt classes, just check out their website for full details. Workshops.

Bambers has a wonderful selection of haberdashery, patchwork fabrics, quilting wadding's, and dress fabrics... well worth a visit next time you are in the area!

And, if you are a dress maker, check out their range of English Couture interlinings!

For more information on Bambers Sewing Machines, check out their website,

http://www.bambersew.com/

Horizon Workshop @ Ilkeston Sewing Centre

Phil Wood, the owner of Ilkeston Sewing and Janome Centre has over 40 years experience in the sewing machine trade. He was originally trained by Singer, and in 1986 opened his own shop in Ilkeston. Janome is now his preferred brand of sewing machine, although he will happily service and repair all makes and model.
Steven, his son, also works in the business and can be seen below helping some of the ladies on the Horizon workshop.

Last week we ran an Janome Horizon Test Drive, for the local sewers to come and try out our new long arm quilting machine. Phil and Steve had made a real effort to make everyone enjoy the workshop and we even had Janome red balloons on each of the machines!

The Sewing Centre also has a large range of trimmings, haberdashery, and fake fur fabrics, plus dress patterns and cross stitch kits. It's well worth a visit next time you are in the area. For more information, check out their website, http://www.ilkestonsewingcentre.co.uk

Horizon Test Drive @ Fox Sewing Machines in Derby

On Tuesday Fox Sewing Machine on Babbington Lane in Derby ran an Horizon Test drive for Ladies, and gent on this occasion, to test the new features of the fantastic long armed quilting machine.
Carmela, who can be seen helping the students below, took over the business a few years ago, and has since gone from strength to strength to grow the business.
For more information on Fox Sewing Machines, check out their website,
http://www.foxsdirect.com/

The Janome Horizon has an Acufeed system, which is an integrated walking foot, which give excellent feeding when stitching thick quilting and wadding or any difficult, thick fabrics. You can see below, the different types of Acufeed Feet available, from left to right, Acufeed Ditch Foot, Acufeed 1/4" Foot, and Acufeed Opentoe Foot. The big beast you can seen in the back of the photo, is the new Binding Attachment especially designed to bind thick wadding.... it really is clever! For more information on the Janome Accessory Feet, contact your local dealer, or check out the Janome website.

Everyone loved the Horizon machine, look at the beautiful stitches below, it also has loads of Crazy Quilt stitches to decorate pieced seams.

Free Machine Quilting on the Janome Horizon!

Greenpark Quilting Group checks out the Janome Horizon with N J Sewing Machines

On my last day of my Scotland trip, I visited the Greenpark Quilters' Guild Group in Polmont, near Falkirk. Richard, the local Janome dealer, N J Sewing Machines, Brighton, works closely with the quilting group and is always on hand to help with their sewing needs. All the ladies had a lovely time making the Horizon Test Drive project and trying all the wonderful features of the machine.

We even had a birthday girl in the group... but unfortunately... not enough cake for everyone!

The Horizon days are a great time for meeting real sewers and quilters, and no better place for getting feedback on the machine... check out our website and see if there is an event near you!

http://www.janome.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=85:localactivities-&catid=11:local&Itemid=11

For more information on the Greenpark Quilting Group or other Quilters' Guild meetings, check out the link below,

http://www.quiltersguild.org.uk

Horizon Test Drive travels to Scotland...ESC @ Keith

Last week I took the Janome Horizon Test Drive Road Show to Scotland!

Alan Williams, from ESC in Keith, (formally Elgin Sewing Centre) who can be seen below, is my furthest north Janome stockist. Alan, has worked in the sewing machine trade for years, and has links with many Schools, Colleges and Quilting Groups in the area. Keith is a beautiful Scottish town, and if you don't live locally, is well worth a visit and next time you are in the area!

Check out Alan's website for more information. http://www.elginsewcentre.co.uk/
We ran two full workshops in the shop, and the ladies loved playing with the new machine... so much so, a few had to order a machine there and then! The jog dial is such an easy way to view and select stitches quickly, and everyone loved the Border Guide Foot to keep rows of decorative stitches parallel.Lots of happy sewing ladies!

I must tell you about the beautiful guest house I stopped at during my stay at Keith.... Craighurst Guest House was just perfect, and I'm looking forward to my next visit!

http://www.craighurst-guesthouse.com/

Leamington Spa Sewing Machines runs an Horizon Test Drive Event!

Leamington Spa Sewing Machine is the best in the area for Janome Sewing, embroidery and quilting machines and accessories, and is also a haven for fabrics, wool and haberdashery since they bought Harlequin Fabrics a few years ago, and now both businesses are in the same shop on Oxford Street in the town centre. Sue Smith, the owner of Leamington Spa Sewing Machines and can be seen on the left below, has many years of experience in the sewing machine trade and runs many of the sewing classes herself on the lower floor of the shop. Check out their website for more details...http://www.leamingtonspasewing.co.uk/shop/page/1?shop_param=

The shop has a full range of dress fabrics, haberdashery and wools.

We had a great time in the Horizon workshop, and everyone loved checking out the features of the new Janome Horizon quilting machine... just check out the range of stitches!