Janome 3128 Owners Manual

The Janome 3128 is a versatile sewing machine designed for home use with 28 built-in stitches, easy stitch selection dial, automatic 4-step buttonhole, drop feed for free-motion sewing, built-in thread cutter, free arm capability, and adjustable stitch length and width. Powered by standard household electrical outlet. Below are key sections for safety, features, setup, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

1. Features at a Glance 2. Installation & Setup 3. First-Time Operation 4. Specifications 5. Controls and Settings 6. Stitch Selection 7. Basic Sewing Operations 8. Maintenance & Cleaning 9. Accessories 10. Regulatory Information 11. Troubleshooting

Features at a Glance

Key components: Stitch selection dial, stitch width dial, stitch length dial, reverse stitch button, free arm, built-in light, foot pressure dial, bobbin winder.

Feature	Description
Built-in stitches	28 stitches including utility, decorative, and stretch stitches
Automatic buttonhole	4-step automatic buttonhole for perfect buttonholes every time
Drop feed	Free-motion sewing capability for quilting and darning
Free arm	Convertible for sewing sleeves, cuffs, and other tubular items
Built-in thread cutter	Convenient thread cutting on the side of the machine
Stitch selection dial	Easy selection of all 28 built-in stitches
Reverse stitch	Reinforce seams with reverse sewing button
Built-in light	LED light for excellent visibility of work area
Foot pressure adjustment	Adjustable for different fabric types and thicknesses
Bobbin system	Top-loading jam-resistant bobbin system

Installation & Setup

Unpack and inspect contents. Place on stable sewing table.

Remove machine from packaging: Carefully lift machine from box, remove all protective materials.
Set up machine: Place on stable surface at comfortable working height.
Connect foot control: Plug foot control into machine socket.
Connect power: Plug power cord into machine and electrical outlet.
Install needle: Loosen needle clamp screw, insert needle with flat side to back, tighten screw.
Wind bobbin: Follow bobbin winding instructions in manual.

WARNING! Machine is heavy; lift with care to avoid injury. Ensure all connections are secure.

First-Time Operation

Power on machine; follow basic setup procedures.

Thread machine: Follow threading diagram on machine; ensure thread passes through all guides.
Insert bobbin: Place bobbin in bobbin case with thread unwinding counterclockwise.
Select stitch: Turn stitch selection dial to desired stitch pattern.
Adjust settings: Set stitch length and width according to fabric and stitch type.
Test sew: Practice on scrap fabric to ensure proper tension and stitch formation.

CAUTION! Keep fingers away from moving needle. Always turn off when not in use.

Specifications

Stitches: 28 built-in stitches including utility, decorative, and stretch
Buttonhole: 4-step automatic buttonhole
Stitch Length: Adjustable up to 4mm
Stitch Width: Adjustable up to 5mm
Presser Feet: Snap-on system with multiple included feet
Bobbin: Top-loading, class 15 transparent bobbin
Needle: Standard household sewing machine needle system 130/705 H
Free Arm: Yes, convertible flatbed to free arm
Power Source: Standard household electrical outlet
Dimensions: Compact design for easy storage

Controls and Settings

Main controls located on front and side of machine. Stitch Selection Dial: Select from 28 built-in stitches. Stitch Length Dial: Adjust from 0-4mm. Stitch Width Dial: Adjust from 0-5mm. Reverse Stitch Button: Hold for reverse sewing.

Additional Controls: Power switch, foot control, bobbin winder, thread tension dial, presser foot lever, handwheel.

Stitch Settings: Straight stitch (1-4), zigzag stitch (5-7), stretch stitches (8-12), decorative stitches (13-28). Tension: Adjust thread tension dial for balanced stitches. Feed Dogs: Lower for free-motion sewing. Foot Pressure: Adjust for different fabric thicknesses.

Stitch Selection

28 built-in stitches for various sewing applications.

Utility Stitches (1-7): Straight stitch, zigzag, triple stretch zigzag
Stretch Stitches (8-12): For knit fabrics and elastic materials
Decorative Stitches (13-28): Scallop, honeycomb, multiple decorative patterns
Buttonhole Stitch: 4-step automatic buttonhole
Blind Hem Stitch: For nearly invisible hemming

Tip: Always test stitch on scrap fabric before sewing your project.

Basic Sewing Operations

Step-by-step guide for common sewing tasks.

Straight Stitching: Select stitch 1, adjust length as needed, guide fabric evenly.
Zigzag Stitching: Select stitch 5, adjust width and length for desired effect.
Buttonhole Making: Select buttonhole stitch, follow 4-step procedure marked on machine.
Free-motion Sewing: Lower feed dogs, use darning foot for quilting and darning.
Reverse Stitching: Hold reverse button to reinforce beginning and end of seams.
Gathering: Use longer stitch length and pull bobbin thread to gather fabric.
Blind Hem: Use blind hem foot and appropriate stitch for invisible hems.

WARNING! Always turn handwheel toward you. Never force the machine.

Maintenance & Cleaning

Regular maintenance ensures optimal performance and longevity.

Daily cleaning: Remove lint and dust from bobbin area and feed dogs.
Weekly oiling: Apply sewing machine oil to designated points as shown in manual.
Needle replacement: Change needle after every project or 8 hours of sewing.
Bobbin case cleaning: Remove bobbin case and clean regularly.
Exterior cleaning: Wipe with soft, dry cloth only.

CAUTION! Unplug machine before cleaning or maintenance. Use only recommended sewing machine oil.

Accessories

Standard accessories included with Janome 3128.

Accessory	Purpose
All-purpose foot	General sewing on most fabrics
Zipper foot	Installing zippers and piping
Buttonhole foot	Making automatic buttonholes
Blind hem foot	Creating nearly invisible hems
Darning/Quilting foot	Free-motion sewing and darning
Bobbin (4)	Extra bobbins for different thread colors
Needles (3)	Assorted needles for different fabrics
Seam ripper	Removing stitches and opening buttonholes
Brush	Cleaning lint from machine
Screwdriver	Needle plate and bobbin case removal

Regulatory Information

UL Listed: Certified for safety standards in the United States and Canada. Copyright © Janome America, Inc. All rights reserved. For technical support and service, contact authorized Janome dealers or visit www.janome.com. Warranty: Limited warranty covering parts and labor for specified period.

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Possible Cause	Corrective Action
Needle breaks	Wrong needle size/type, bent needle	Replace needle with correct type/size; ensure straight insertion
Thread bunching	Incorrect threading, tension issues	Rethread machine completely; adjust tension settings
Skipped stitches	Dull needle, wrong needle type	Replace needle; use correct needle for fabric type
Machine won't run	Power issues, foot control	Check power connection; ensure foot control is plugged in properly
Uneven stitches	Tension problems, dirty machine	Clean machine; adjust upper and lower thread tension
Buttonhole issues	Stabilizer missing, fabric too thick	Use stabilizer; test on scrap fabric first
Thread breaking	Tension too tight, old thread	Reduce tension; use fresh, quality thread

Service: Contact authorized Janome dealer for professional service. Visit www.janome.com for dealer locator.