Test Drive:
Janome Xpression

MSRP $399 (Prices vary by dealer)
janome.com
Reviewer: Diane Harris

It's hard to imagine a machine that's simpler––or more fun––than the Janome Xpression. Needle felting has long been a hand process in which a single barbed needle is used to mesh fibers together to create interesting forms and textures. Now the process has moved into the realm of the machine. On the Janome Xpression, five barbed needles (no thread, no bobbin) move simultaneously up and down to interweave layers of fiber, blending their textures and colors and providing wonderfully unexpected surprises.

Those surprises are what make needle felting by machine such a joy. You never know exactly what will happen when you layer things like wool, felt, ribbon, yarn or Angelina fibers. The textures are unique every time. Each attempt gave me new ideas for something else to try. Inspiration was running rampant!

There is a lot of potential if you're interested in felting onto ready-made garments. The Xpression's free arm makes it possible to easily felt onto cuffs, sleeves, hats and various types of fiber sculpture. I purchased several sweaters on clearance for this purpose. I chose some fabulous funky yarn from a local yarn shop and had a ball sprucing up the sweaters. I also did some felting onto the back pockets and lower front corner of a denim skirt. I found that needle felting works best if the base fabric is fairly heavy. Wool and denim were good choices.

Free Pattern!
Make Diane Harris's Patriot's Table table runner. Download the PDF pattern.

Made by Diane Harris. Fabric: National Nonwovens. Stabilizer: OESD. Machine: Janome Xpression.

Because you're purposely manipulating the layered fibers, your fingers are often very near the set of barbed needles. Janome wisely built in a transparent plastic finger guard. The presser foot is also transparent for increased visibility as you work.



Lint builds up quickly while needle felting, but the machine opens easily for cleaning, which you'll want to do often.

When you're ready for something new, interesting and exciting, have a seat in front of the modestly priced Janome Xpression. If you proceed with a sense of adventure, you won't be disappointed.

 By the Numbers

0 That's right, zero bobbins, zero thread

5 Barbed needles that move up and down simultaneously

8 Number of projects I played with in a weekend

399 Dollars, the suggested retail price

 Favorites

Creativity Unleashed. The best thing about this machine is that there are no rules. You simply turn yourself loose and see what happens.

Needle Plate. Five holes, one for each needle, which are large enough to allow felting through multiple layers.

Finger Guard. Your fingers are protected even when they are very close to the work. Because the finger guard is transparent, you can still see what you're doing.

This Test Drive article also appears in QUILTMAKER July/August '07 (No. 116). If you cannot find this issue at your local quilt shop, order back issues at VillageQuiltShoppe.com.