“Much easier to use than I expected and the service when i bought the machine was very good.”

Janome 224A Product Review
The Janome 224A is a small, simple mechanical machine combining simplicity, reliability and essential features, making it the perfect companion for your sewing adventures. It’s ideal for beginners or sewers looking for a dependable machine for everyday tasks including repairing clothes, mending seams and hemming trousers.
It has 18 built-in stitches, including straight, zigzag and stretch stitches, plus a 4-step buttonhole for finishing garments. There is a twin needle facility for decorative twin-row stitching and an included darning plate that covers the feed dogs for free-motion sewing and button sewing. Maximum sewing speed is 800 stitches per minute.
Underneath the casing sits an aluminium diecast body, which keeps the machine stable as you sew and helps it last. At around 6kg it stays light enough to carry to a class or lift onto a shelf, which is part of why the 224A works well for sewing classes and smaller sewing spaces.

Top Uses for the Janome 224A

This machine is perfect for
- Complete beginners - two dials to learn, nothing else
- Perfect for learning to make, mend and upcycle clothes as well as bringing all kinds of creative craft projects to life
- Occasional sewers wanting a machine available for mending, clothing alterations and other simple sewing projects
- Easy to carry and store away so it works well in small spaces or for taking to sewing classes
Can sew but not ideal for
- The 224A is not designed for daily or heavy use - it's best suited to occasional hobby home sewing
- Not sure if this is the machine for you? Try our free Machine Match Service and we'll recommend a model suited to your needs
Not suitable for
- This model does not have a needle threader - regular hobby sewers or those with poor eye-sight may wish to consider a model with a built-in needle threader
- Anyone needing speed control - this model is foot pedal only with no start/stop button
- Not recommended for quilting or for sewing with heavy fabrics like upholstery, thick denim or canvas
- Not sure if this is the machine for you? Try our free Machine Match Service and we'll recommend a model suited to your needs
Janome 224A: A Machine for Every Maker
Simple Two-Dial Operation
One dial sets the stitch, the other the length, keeping everyday sewing quick and stress-free for new sewers.
Built to Last
A metal diecast chassis holds the machine steady as you sew and stands up to regular use over time.
Free-Motion Ready
Snap the darning plate over the feed dogs to move fabric freely for quilting motifs and button sewing.
Inside the Janome 224A
Eighteen Built-In Stitches
Straight, zigzag and stretch stitches cover everyday sewing, with a 4-step buttonhole for neat garment finishing.
Adjustable Stitch Length Control
Full control over stitch length lets you match the stitch to your fabric and project for tidy, even results.
Front-Loading Bobbin System
The front-loading bobbin case is easy to see and thread, keeping setup simple and sewing smooth for beginners.
Free Arm Conversion
Removing the flat bed creates a free arm for stitching cuffs, sleeves, trouser hems and other cylindrical items.
Twin Needle Facility
Fit a twin needle for decorative twin-row stitching, adding neat parallel lines to hems and detailing.

Product specifications
Key features
- 18 built-in stitches, including straight, zigzag and stretch
- 4-step buttonhole
- Aluminium diecast body
- Front-loading bobbin
- Adjustable stitch length
- Free arm conversion
- Twin needle facility
- Vertical oscillating hook
- Snap-on feet
- 800 stitches per minute
- Extra-high presser foot lift for bulky projects
- Darning plate for free-motion and button sewing
- Soft cover
Accessories in the Box
- 1 x Darning Plate
- 1 x Seam Ripper
- 1 x Foot Control
- 3 x Bobbins
- 1 x Pack of Needles
- 1 x Soft Cover
- 1 x Instruction Book
Feet in the box
- 1 x Sliding Buttonhole Foot
- 1 x Standard Foot
- 1 x Zipper Foot
- 1 x Blind Hem Foot (Adjustable)
Manufacturer's Specifications
- Mechanical Sewing Machine
- Free Arm / Flat Bed Conversion
- Aluminium Diecast Body
- Machine Size: W390mm x D150mm x H295mm
- Built in Stitches: 18 plus 1 x 4-step Buttonhole
- Maximum Stitch Length: 4mm
- Maximum Stitch Width: 5mm
- Snap on Feet
- Vertical Type Spool Pin (2 Plastic)
- Power Switch
- Plastic Soft Cover
- Carry Handle
- Vertical Oscillating Hook
- Front Loading – Category A
- Approximate Weight: 6kg
- Maximum Sewing Speed: 800 s.p.m. (approx)
- Manual Tension
- Twin Needle Facility
- Reverse Lever
Machine Dimensions & Weight
- Machine size: W390mm x D150mm x H295mm
- Weight: 6kg approximately
- Free arm conversion included
- Carry handle included
Stitch Options & Controls
- 18 built-in stitches, including straight, zigzag and stretch
- 1 x 4-step buttonhole
- Adjustable stitch length: maximum 4mm
- Maximum stitch width: 5mm
- Two-dial stitch and length selection
- Manual thread tension control
- Reverse lever
Bobbin & Needle System
- Front-loading bobbin, Category A
- Vertical oscillating hook
- Vertical type spool pin (2 plastic)
- Snap-on presser feet system
- Twin needle facility
Warranty and Support
- 2-year parts and labour warranty included
- An extension of 5 years is available within 30 days
- Authorised Janome service support nationwide
- Expert advice from The Sewing Studio team
Product Downloads
Frequently Asked Questions About the Janome 224A
Let us help with the answers.
Is the Janome 224A suitable for beginners?
Yes. The controls are kept deliberately simple, so beginners can start sewing quickly without working through menus or digital settings.
How many stitches does the Janome 224A have?
The machine has 18 built-in stitches, including straight, zigzag and stretch stitches, plus a 4-step buttonhole. That covers hemming, mending, seams and simple garment finishing for everyday sewing.
Can the Janome 224A handle heavy fabrics?
It manages a few layers in short bursts. For frequent thick materials like leather or heavy upholstery, we recommend a heavier-duty model.
Does the Janome 224A have a free arm?
Yes. Slide off the flat bed and the machine converts to a free arm, so you can reach around cuffs, sleeves and trouser hems more easily.
What warranty comes with this machine?
The Janome 224A includes a 2-year parts and labour warranty. You can extend this to a maximum of 5 years within 30 days of purchase.
Can I do free-motion sewing on the Janome 224A?
Yes. Fit the included darning plate to lower coverage of the feed dogs, then guide the fabric by hand for free-motion stitching and attaching buttons.
Our standard width fabric can be cut as a Fat Quarter, measuring 50cm x 1/2 the width of the bolt. Above is an example of how your fabric will be received, depending on the quantity ordered.
We also offer a sample service, where you can order 1 single fat quarter of any standard width fabric, to have at home and compare colours. When you are finished, you can send them back to us for a refund (feel free to contact us for more information on this service).
Our fabric can be cut as a Long Quarter, measuring a minimum of 25cm x width of bolt. We will supply the fabric as a continuous length (eg; if you bought 1.25m it will be sent as one piece of fabric).
