Janome 3160QDC-G Sewing and Quilting Machine Review 2025

The Janome 3160QDC-G is a full-featured sewing and quilting machine thoughtfully designed with the specific needs of quilters in mind. This model manages to bring the benefits of a top-of-the-line sewing machine into a lightweight and portable design, making it a favorite among quilting enthusiasts who want both power and portability.

With the 3160QDC-G, you’ll discover an incredible selection of 60 built-in stitches, which include 6 one-step buttonholes, giving you flexibility for various projects whether it’s garment construction, home décor, or creative quilting designs.

One of the standout elements of this machine is Janome’s Superior Plus Feed System (SFS+). This specialized box feeding system ensures stable, even, and smooth fabric feeding at all times, no matter if you’re sewing light silk, medium-weight cotton, or multiple layers of thick fabric like denim or quilting material. It eliminates frustrating uneven stitches, making it reliable for both beginners and expert sewists.

The time-saving features of the Janome 3160QDC-G make sewing much more efficient. With a memorized needle up/down function, a one-hand needle threader, and a lock stitch button, you can complete your tasks faster and with greater precision. These functions reduce wasted time and make complex sewing jobs more manageable.

Another reason why users love this model is its unique balance of size and functionality. While designed as a full-size sewing machine, it weighs only 12 pounds, making it extremely easy to carry to quilting classes, sewing clubs, or workshops. Portability combined with feature-rich performance makes it the perfect travel companion for those who don’t want to lose out on high-end machine benefits.

Ultimately, the Janome 3160QDC-G quilting and sewing machine provides the perfect blend of convenience, advanced sewing functions, and portability. Whether you are a beginner looking for an intuitive machine or an experienced quilter who needs consistency and control, this machine is built to meet those expectations.

Quilting and Sewing Features

Versatile Stitch Options
The Janome 3160QDC-G quilting and sewing machine comes equipped with 60 built-in stitches, giving you an extensive variety for both practical and decorative projects. These stitch patterns include 6 convenient one-step buttonholes, which make clothing construction and detailed fabric work much simpler. Whether you’re working on a traditional quilt, repairing garments, or creating intricate designs, the broad range of stitch options allows you to add creativity and precision to every project.

Superior Plus Feed System
A major highlight of this machine is Janome’s Exclusive Superior Plus Feed System (SFS+). This advanced box feeding system guarantees consistent, stable, and even fabric feeding, which is absolutely essential when working on quilting projects that involve multiple layers of fabric. From delicate chiffon to medium-weight cottons or heavy-duty denim, the feed system ensures that the material glides smoothly without slips, puckers, or uneven seams. This feature makes the machine dependable for both beginners who need extra support and advanced quilters who demand accuracy.

Time-Saving Convenience
To make quilting and sewing more efficient, the Janome 3160QDC-G includes several time-saving features that eliminate common frustrations. The memorized needle up/down function is especially useful for quilting and pivoting fabric, while the one-hand needle threader speeds up setup by threading your needle in seconds. Additionally, the lock stitch button delivers neat and secure finishing touches with a single press, ensuring professional-quality results. Together, these convenience features simplify the process, allowing you to focus more on your creativity and less on repetitive tasks.

Portability and Ease of Use

Lightweight Design: Weighing just 12 pounds, the Janome 3160QDC-G is easy to carry, making it ideal for sewing classes, quilt guild meetups, and on-the-go crafting without sacrificing stability or stitch quality.

Full-Size Capability: Despite the compact footprint, this model delivers full-size functionality, offering computerized controls, a backlit LCD, and robust features that mirror larger machines, so performance isn’t compromised on complex projects or precision stitching.

Ideal for Quilting Enthusiasts

Whether tackling intricate piecing, free-motion details, or everyday mending, the 3160QDC-G combines power, precision, and portability to bring creative ideas to life with consistent feeding and clean finishes on varied fabrics.

Key Features:-

Superior Feed System Plus (SFS+)

The Janome 3160QDC-G features an advanced Superior Feed System Plus (SFS+), a powerful technology designed for flawless fabric handling. This system uses a 7-piece feed dog that makes more contact with your material, ensuring smooth and even fabric movement from start to finish. This is absolutely essential for achieving precision sewing and quilting, as it prevents bunching, slipping, or stretching, even when working with tricky fabrics like silk or thick layers like denim and quilt sandwiches. This advanced feeding mechanism guarantees consistent stitch quality across all your projects.

Versatility for All Projects

This machine is a true multi-purpose workhorse, equally effective for a wide range of tasks. Whether you’re creating custom home decor, sewing stylish fashion garments, or piecing intricate quilting projects, the 3160QDC-G is built to handle it all. The machine’s thoughtful design includes a free arm, which is perfect for sewing cylindrical items like sleeves, pant hems, and cuffs, adding a layer of convenience for everyday garment construction and repairs.

Adjustable Foot Pressure

For a completely customized sewing experience, the machine offers easily adjustable presser foot pressure. This critical feature allows you to achieve optimal results on a wide variety of fabrics. You can increase the pressure for thick, heavy materials like canvas or reduce it for thin, slippery fabrics like chiffon to prevent damage or stretching. This level of control ensures you get perfect stitches without fabric distortion, making it a truly versatile sewing machine.

Enhanced Workspace

The Janome 3160QDC-G provides an enhanced workspace designed for comfort and control, especially on larger projects. It offers a generous throat space measuring W6.8″ x H4.5″, which is more room than many standard sewing machines. This larger area gives you more stability and makes it easier to maneuver bulky items like quilts or curtains. For even more support, the machine comes with an included extension table that creates a large, flat surface, which is a must-have for serious quilters.

Comprehensive Sewing Features

This machine is packed with a wide array of professional-grade sewing features to enhance efficiency and precision.

• Stitch Variety and Creativity: With 60 built-in stitches, including utility stitches, decorative patterns, and 6 one-step buttonholes, you have a versatile toolkit for any sewing need. This selection allows you to tackle everything from basic mending to creative embellishments with ease.
• Convenience and Efficiency: The machine is designed with smart tools that save you time and frustration. It features a top-loading full rotary hook bobbin that is jam-proof and easy to monitor, a built-in one-hand needle threader, and an automatic thread cutter that trims threads with the push of a button for a clean finish.
• Ultimate Control and Precision: Take full command of your sewing with features like manual thread tension control, a memorized needle up/down function for perfect corners, and a start/stop button for sewing without the foot pedal. The speed control slider lets you set your own pace, while the locking stitch button neatly secures your seams automatically.
• Additional Smart Functionalities: The 3160QDC-G also includes a drop feed feature for free-motion quilting and stippling, an easy reverse button, an auto-declutch bobbin winder that prevents over-winding, and an extra-high presser foot lift to accommodate thick layers of fabric.
• User-Friendly Digital Interface: The bright, backlit LCD screen and easy navigation keys make selecting stitches and adjusting settings simple and intuitive, allowing you to quickly access all the machine’s functions.
• Robust and Protective Build: An extended needle plate with measurement markings helps you sew precise seam allowances. The machine also comes with a durable hard cover to protect it from dust and damage, especially during transport or storage.

Accessory Compatibility

The Janome 3160QDC-G is designed for expandability and is compatible with a wide range of accessories for horizontal rotary hook models. Because it uses a standard low shank and has a 7mm stitch width, you can easily find and use a vast selection of affordable presser feet to further enhance its capabilities for specialized tasks like invisible zippers, piping, and more, making it an even more powerful and versatile tool in your sewing room.

Additional Quilting Attachment Kit and Features of the Janome 3160QDC-G

Included Quilting Attachment Kit

The Janome 3160QDC-G often comes bundled with a specialized Quilting Attachment Kit, providing essential tools for quilters right out of the box. This kit is designed to give you professional-grade results on all your quilting projects.

• Open Toe Even Feed Foot with Guide: This invaluable walking foot is engineered to enhance fabric feeding, especially when quilting through multiple layers. It grips the top and bottom fabric simultaneously, ensuring perfectly even stitches and preventing shifting or puckering.
• Open Toe Satin Stitch Foot: Perfect for detailed appliqué and decorative stitching, this foot provides a crystal-clear view of the stitching area. The open front allows you to see exactly where the needle is going, which is crucial for precise and intricate work.
• Open Toe Darning Foot: This foot is your go-to tool for free-motion quilting, darning, and creative embroidery. It hovers over the fabric, giving you complete freedom to “draw” with your stitches, making it ideal for stippling and other artistic designs.
• ¼” Seam Foot: Achieving a precise quarter-inch seam allowance is fundamental for quilting accuracy, and this foot makes it effortless. It guides your fabric perfectly, ensuring all your quilt blocks are uniform and fit together flawlessly.
• Quilting Guide: This simple but effective tool attaches to your presser foot holder and helps you maintain perfectly even seam distances. It’s ideal for creating parallel quilting lines, echo quilting, and channel stitching with professional consistency.

Comprehensive Sewing and Convenience Features

The 3160QDC-G is loaded with additional features that provide ultimate control and a seamless sewing experience.

• Creative Stitch Selection: With 60 built-in stitches and 6 one-step buttonholes, this machine offers a wide array of creative and functional options for any project, from garment construction to decorative finishes.
• Precise Thread Tension Control: The manual thread tension dial allows you to fine-tune your settings for optimized tension, ensuring beautiful stitches on any fabric, from delicate silks to heavy denim.
• Effortless Needle Threading: The built-in one-hand needle threader is a huge time-saver that eliminates eye strain and simplifies the threading process, getting you ready to sew in seconds.
• Quick-Change Presser Feet: The snap-on presser feet mechanism allows you to change feet quickly and easily, so you can switch between tasks without interruption.
• Perfect Pivots with Needle Positioning: The memorized needle up/down feature is a quilter’s favorite, allowing you to stop with the needle in the fabric for easy pivoting and turning corners with absolute precision.
• Flawless Fabric Feeding: The powerful 7-piece feed dog system works in tandem with the SFS+ to support smooth and consistent fabric feeding, giving you superior control over your material.
• Automated Thread Management: The built-in automatic thread cutter trims both top and bobbin threads with a single touch, while the locking stitch button secures your seams neatly for a professional finish.
• Customizable Sewing Speed: The speed control slider and start-stop button provide complete control over your sewing pace, allowing you to sew at a comfortable speed without using the foot pedal.
• Advanced Bobbin System: The machine features an auto-declutch bobbin winder for perfect bobbins every time and a top-loading horizontal full rotary hook bobbin system that is jam-proof and easy to manage.
• Enhanced Visibility and Workspace Control: An extra-high presser foot lift accommodates thick fabric layers, a bright LCD screen simplifies stitch selection, and adjustable foot pressure enhances the overall sewing experience by giving you more control.

Standard Accessories Included in the Box

The Janome 3160QDC-G comes with a generous set of standard accessories so you have everything you need to start sewing immediately.

• 1/4″ Seam Foot: Essential for accurate quilt piecing, this foot is compatible with top-loading, 5-7mm stitch width models.
• Automatic Buttonhole Foot: Creates perfectly sized buttonholes effortlessly in a single step.
• Blind Hem Foot: Helps you create beautiful, invisible hems on skirts, trousers, and curtains.
• Bobbins and Needles: A starter set of essential supplies to get you sewing right away.
• Extension Table: Provides a large, stable, and expanded work area for quilting and other big projects.
• Foot Control: A high-quality foot pedal ensures steady sewing speed control for traditional operation.
• Maintenance Tools: Includes a lint brush and screwdriver for routine machine upkeep and cleaning.
• Satin Stitch Foot F: The standard foot for creating smooth, dense decorative stitching.
• Spool Stand and Caps: Additional components for better thread management, especially when using larger cones.
• Zig-Zag Foot (A) and Zipper Foot (E): A versatile foot for general sewing and a specialized foot for easy zipper installation.

Optional Accessories for the Janome 3160QDC-G Sewing and Quilting Machine

You can significantly expand the capabilities of your Janome 3160QDC-G with a wide range of optional presser feet and accessories. Since it is a low shank machine with a 7mm stitch width, it is compatible with a vast selection of both genuine Janome and generic snap-on feet. These specialized tools are designed to simplify complex techniques and give your projects a professional-quality finish.

Quilting and Precision Stitching Feet

• 1/4″ Seam Foot O2 (Scant): This foot allows for a slightly narrower “scant” quarter-inch seam, which is ideal for achieving perfect accuracy in precision quilting and piecing projects.
• 1/4 Inch Ruler Foot (Low Shank): A must-have for ruler work, this foot provides exceptional control and precision when quilting with rulers, ensuring your designs are sharp and accurate.
• Border Guide Foot: This foot helps you maintain perfectly straight stitching along borders and edges, making it great for topstitching and decorative finishes.
• Bobbin Holder for Free Motion Quilting: Designed to ensure stable and consistent stitching, this bobbin holder prevents thread issues during high-speed free-motion quilting.
• Clear View Quilting Foot and Guide Set: This set offers an unobstructed view of the stitching area, providing superior precision for tasks like echo quilting and topstitching.
• Ditch Quilting Foot: This foot is expertly designed for “stitch-in-the-ditch” quilting, guiding your needle perfectly along existing seam lines for an invisible finish.
• Straight Stitch Foot and Needle Plate: For the most precise straight stitching, especially on fine fabrics or quilt layers, this combination prevents the material from being pulled into the feed dogs.

Decorative and Embellishment Feet

• 3-Way Cording Foot: A creative tool for adding decorative cords and threads to your projects, perfect for embellishing garments and home decor.
• Appliqué Foot: This foot facilitates intricate appliqué work by offering clear visibility and easy maneuverability around curves and corners.
• Beading Foot Set (Wide & Narrow): This set is ideal for effortlessly attaching strands of beads, pearls, and other delicate embellishments to fabric.
• Fringe Foot: Use this foot to create beautiful fringes and decorative loops on fabric, adding a unique texture to your projects.
• Pintucking Cord Guide and Piping Foot: This combination allows you to create elegant pintucks and seamlessly add custom piping to seams and edges.
• Ribbon / Sequin Foot: Specifically designed for sewing down ribbons, sequins, and other flat trims with ease and accuracy.
• Ruffler: This powerful attachment automatically creates and attaches uniform ruffles or pleats at predetermined intervals, saving you hours of work.

Garment Construction and General Purpose Feet

• Bi-Level Foot: This foot is expertly designed for creating even stitching on uneven surfaces, such as when sewing over thick seams or attaching pockets.
• Binder Foot: Makes attaching premade or custom binding and tape a simple and quick process, delivering a clean, professional edge every time.
• Adjustable Blind Hem Foot: This adjustable foot helps you create perfect invisible hems on a variety of fabric weights and types.
• Button Sewing Foot: Simplifies the often tedious process of sewing buttons onto fabric, holding them securely in place while the machine stitches.
• Concealed Zipper Foot: This specialized foot is essential for inserting invisible zippers with a flawless, professional finish.
• Rolled Hem Foot (2mm): Produces beautiful, narrow rolled hems on lightweight fabrics like chiffon and silk without fraying.
• UltraGlide Foot: Molded from a special non-stick resin, this foot is designed for sewing difficult or “sticky” fabrics like leather, vinyl, and laminated cotton, allowing them to glide smoothly.

Free-Motion and Even Feed Feet

• Convertible Even Feed Foot: This walking foot ensures that multiple layers of fabric feed evenly during sewing, which is crucial for quilting and matching plaids or stripes.
• Closed Toe Darning Foot: Ideal for darning and free-motion embroidery, the closed toe offers added control and stability.
• Open Toe Darning Foot (Low Shank): This foot provides excellent visibility for detailed free-motion quilting and embroidery tasks, allowing you to see your work clearly as you sew.
• Rotary Even Foot: This innovative foot helps you sew smoothly over thick seams or uneven surfaces by using small “caterpillar” tracks to grip the fabric.

Utility and Organizational Accessories

Zig-Zag Foot with Finger Guard: A versatile foot for general sewing tasks that includes a finger guard for added safety, making it great for beginners.

Sliding Guide Foot (7mm Models): Offers a consistent, adjustable guide for perfect seam allowances and topstitching on any project.

Janome Square Bobbin Saver: This handy tool keeps your bobbins neatly organized and prevents the threads from unwinding and tangling.

Specifications Of The Janome 3160QDC-G Sewing and Quilting Machine

Pros and Cons of the Janome 3160QDC-G Sewing and Quilting Machine

Pros

• Variety of Stitches: With 60 built-in stitches and 6 one-step buttonholes, it offers a wide range of creative sewing and quilting.
• Superior Feed System Plus (SFS+): Ensures even, stable fabric feeding, critical for precise sewing on various fabrics.
• Lightweight and Portable: At only 12 pounds, it’s easy to transport, making it ideal for classes or sewing groups.
• Advanced Features: Includes memorized needle up/down, one-hand needle threader, and lock stitch button, which enhance sewing efficiency.
• Adjustable Foot Pressure: Allows for fine-tuning sewing on different fabric types, enhancing versatility.
• Quilting Capabilities: Comes with a quilting attachment kit and has features like drop feed and an extended needle plate for quilting projects.
• Ease of Use: Features like the start/stop button, speed control slider, and easy navigation on the LCD screen make it user-friendly.

Cons

• Stitch Variety: While 60 stitches are ample for many projects, some users may seek more variety or specialty stitches.
• Manual Thread Tension: Requires manual adjustment, which could be a learning curve for beginners or those used to automatic tension settings.
• Plastic Components: Despite the sturdy construction, the presence of plastic parts may concern some users regarding long-term durability.
• Advanced Features Learning Curve: Some of the advanced features may require a learning period, especially for beginners or those upgrading from simpler machines.

conclusion

The Janome 3160QDC-G Sewing and Quilting Machine is a well-crafted tool that balances portability with a range of advanced features. It is designed to cater to the nuanced needs of quilting enthusiasts and sewists looking for a reliable, lightweight machine. With its 60 stitch options, superior feed system, and user-friendly features like the memorized needle up/down and one-hand needle threader, it stands out as a competent machine for a variety of sewing projects.

The inclusion of a quilting attachment kit further enhances its appeal to quilters, providing the tools needed for detailed quilting work. While the machine’s manual thread tension control and reliance on plastic components may present minor drawbacks, these are offset by its overall performance and convenience. The Janome 3160QDC-G is an excellent choice for those who value flexibility and functionality in a compact size, proving to be a worthy companion for both classroom environments and home sewing spaces.

FAQs for the Janome 3160QDC-G Sewing and Quilting Machine

What makes the Janome 3160QDC-G suitable for quilting?

The 3160QDC-G is equipped with a Superior Feed System Plus, an extended needle plate, and a quilting attachment kit, making it ideal for quilting projects. Its lightweight design also makes it easy to take to quilting classes or groups.

How many stitches does the Janome 3160QDC-G offer?

It provides 60 built-in stitches, including 6 one-step buttonholes, offering a versatile range for various sewing and quilting projects.

Can I adjust the stitch width and length on this machine?

Yes, the Janome 3160QDC-G allows for the adjustment of stitch width up to 7mm and stitch length up to 5mm, giving you flexibility in your sewing projects.

Is the Janome 3160QDC-G easy to transport?

Yes, at only 12 pounds, this machine is designed for portability, making it easy to carry to classes or sewing groups.

Does the Janome 3160QDC-G come with a needle threader?

Yes, it features a built-in one-hand needle threader, simplifying the threading process and saving time.

What is the Superior Feed System Plus (SFS+)?

The SFS+ is a 7-piece feed dog system that ensures even and stable fabric feeding, which is particularly beneficial for precise stitching and quilting.

Is there a free arm feature on this machine?

Yes, the Janome 3160QDC-G has a free arm feature, which is excellent for sewing small openings like sleeves or pant hems.

What are the dimensions of the throat space on this machine?

The throat space of the 3160QDC-G is wider than most standard machines, measuring approximately 6.8 inches in width and 4.5 inches in height, offering good space for managing larger projects.

What kind of presser feet are included with the Janome 3160QDC-G?

The machine comes with several presser feet, including a zigzag foot, zipper foot, satin stitch foot, automatic buttonhole foot, blind hemming foot, overedge foot, and others, covering a broad range of sewing needs.

Can I control the sewing speed on the Janome 3160QDC-G?

Yes, the machine has a speed control slider that allows you to adjust the sewing speed according to your comfort level and the project’s requirements.

Does the Janome 3160QDC-G have an automatic thread cutter?

Yes, the machine features a built-in thread cutter, which can be activated to trim threads quickly and conveniently at the end of sewing.

What type of bobbin does the 3160QDC-G use?

The Janome 3160QDC-G uses a top-loading full rotary hook bobbin system, which is easy to set up and provides smooth thread flow during sewing.

Can I use twin needles with the Janome 3160QDC-G?

Yes, the machine supports twin-needle functionality, allowing for parallel lines of stitching and decorative effects.

Is there a lock stitch feature on this machine?

Yes, there is a locking stitch button that secures the beginning and end of the stitch to prevent unraveling.

How does the memorized needle up/down function work?

The memorized needle up/down function allows you to set the needle to stop in the highest up position or the lowest down position, which is especially useful for pivoting fabric or when stopping sewing.

What is the maximum sewing speed of the Janome 3160QDC-G?

The machine can sew at speeds up to 820 stitches per minute, providing efficient sewing for various projects.

How does the foot pressure adjustment work on this machine?

The foot pressure on the Janome 3160QDC-G can be adjusted using a dial, allowing you to modify the pressure depending on the thickness of the fabric or the type of sewing project.

Is there an instructional manual or DVD included with the machine?

Yes, the Janome 3160QDC-G comes with a printed instructional manual and often includes a DVD to guide you through the setup and operation of the machine.

How do I maintain the Janome 3160QDC-G?

Regular maintenance includes cleaning the bobbin area, removing lint and threads, changing needles regularly, and following the lubrication guide if provided in the manual. Keeping the machine covered when not in use also helps prevent dust accumulation.

All Used Image Credit : Janome