Facebook Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Tiktok Icon YouTube Icon Headphones Icon Favorite Navigation Search Icon Forum Search Icon Main Search Icon Close Icon Video Play Icon Indicator Arrow Icon Close Icon Hamburger/Search Icon Plus Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon

Conversational Threads

Does Janome make Husqvarna machines?

Marionc032 | Posted in Equipment and Supplies on

A friend of mine recently bought a Janome machine and before she purchased it she asked the sales rep about other makes she was considering, one of which was a Husqvarna. The sales rep told her that Janome manufactures Husqvarna machines. Does anyone know if this is true? I know that in many areas of manufacturing, one manufacturer actually makes products for many different companies, so does this mean that my Husqvarna machine is actually a Janome?

Marion

Replies

  1. Betakin | | #1

    Janome made the HuskyStar models for Viking in Taiwan but I have been told by a store owner the newer Huskystars are now made in China and not by Janome. If you own a Viking it is probably still a Husqvarna made in Sweden as mine is.

    I have been told that Janome made the Viking Mega Quilter and also the Pfaff Grand Quilter.  Both are basically the same machine made in Taiwan. Janome has recently become the parent company of Elna USA and Elna is no longer distibuted by Tacony. So Janome might be making some changes. They have made Elna machines for some time as well as the Sears Kenmores. I have seen on the internet that Janome is the largest manufacturer of sewing machines in the world.

    Singer's holding company now owns Pfaff/Viking so more changes have been taking place with them also and maybe that is why Janome no longer makes the Huskystar models. I do like the Pfaff Grand Quilter and I hope Janome continues to make it.

    Edited 1/14/2007 1:27 am ET by Betakin

    1. HeartFire2 | | #2

      Janome also makes the bernina deco 330 - its an embroidery only machine.

    2. Marionc032 | | #3

      Thanks for the informative replies. My machine is labelled Husqvarna and was purchased here in Canada in September 1999. I think Husqvarna is labelled Viking in the US? Maybe I'll check the country of manufacture on the machine itself. I don't know why I even care because I still like the machine no matter where or who made it, I just thought that Husqvarna was one of the few companies that still made its own products.Marion

      1. Betakin | | #4

        Many Viking's still come out of the Husqvarna factory in Sweden and this info should be on the machine. If the machine was made elsewhere it is probably still engineered or designed by Viking and made to their speculations.

        1. Marionc032 | | #5

          I checked my machine, by the way its labelled Husqvarna Viking (funny how you don't notice things you look at all the time!) and it is indeed made in Sweden so I guess its safe to assume that Husqvarna actually made it. From what I had heard, Husqvarna has (had?) a good reputation which was one of the reasons I bought the machine and, not to malign other countries, but it seems that it often happens that the quality suffers when companies farm out their manufacturing. Isn't that what happened to Singer machines?Marion

          1. Betakin | | #6

            Yes, you have a true Husqvarna Viking made in Sweden. One of my machines is a Viking Interlude 445. May I ask what model do you have? One of my daughtes has a much older all metal Viking.

            About Singer machines, they have been made in many factories and places through the years and the company has a long history on the models and where they were made. It is an interesting Google on line.  I have owned several Singers through the years and I miss the slant needle machines. Singer's holding company is now the owner of Pfaff /Viking. Pfaff used to be made in Germany but my Pfaff is made in the Czech Republic though it is German engineered. Pfaff has different model lines that are made elsewhere as does Viking now. These other less expensive models have been from Taiwan and now China and maybe even elsewhere. My dealer explained to me that all the company heads of  Singer, Pfaff and Viking might make decisions sitting at the same table but they still hold to each individual brands specifications in regards to machines.

          2. Noelle | | #7

            Hi there!  This is so interesting...I, too, have a Viking Interlude 445--

            made in Sweden.  I really love it, but don't know how it compares to

            other Vikings or other brands.  Question--the Interlude is never listed

            and sales people said it was formerly another name, but they don't

            know it.  Do you know?  The info is needed when I order newer presser

            feet, etc., to determine which feet are compatible with Interlude.

            Thanks!  Noelle

          3. Betakin | | #8

            I'm unsure about what former model but the Lily, Freesia, Rose, the Scandinavia 200 and 300 and the Platinums are in group #6 with the Interlude 445.  Viking feet are grouped by number designating the models of machine. You can order feet by using the #6. If you shop at a dealer the feet will have this number on pkg. Sometimes a foot will fit a #5 and a #6 or even more models etc. but if the 6 is not on it then no  the foot is not for the 445. The Designers 1,11, and SE are in a class & and the Pre lude a class 5. The Orchidea is a #1.

            Did you get the Viking Accessory Users Guide with your machine showing all the feet available? It does tell what feet are to go with the certain models. The Interludes are not in the book but do take the same feet as the models I posted above and they are in the #6 group.

          4. Noelle | | #10

            Good evening,

              Thanks for the info--yes, I will check out the numbers on accessory

            feet more thoroughly.  Noelle

          5. Marionc032 | | #9

            The machine I have is the Computer 350 which I purchased around 2000, and I think the machine was going out of production that year. If I remember right, it was their entry-level computerized machine at the time. I wasn't looking for bells and whistles so this machine is perfect for me.My 3 previous machines were all Singers: the first was a basic zig-zag machine, all metal, which I was quite happy with; traded that one in for another Singer, plastic body, which I hated. I almost quit sewing because of it and swore I'd never buy another Singer. But then I did end up buying another Singer, the Touchtronic 2000, metal body. I bought it on sale the year they discontinued it and that, coupled with the excellent trade-in Singer offered on my old Singer made it a hard-to-resist purchase, despite by disappointment with the second machine. Turned out I loved the Touchtronic. It was a workhorse that served me well for over 14 years, and is still doing light-duty with my Mom. However, I heard that the Touchtronic was one of the last machines that Singer actually made and that the quality really went downhill after that. I do have a Singer 5-thread serger that I'm quite happy with, although I do lust after the machines with air-threading and auto tension. ::sigh::Marion

          6. granna | | #11

            I also own an older Singer, the touch tronic 2001, which I purchased in the 80's and still use.  I have only had it in the shop once in all these years.

            I have thought many times of buying a newer machine but since I really do not feel that I would do enough embroidery to warrant the expense of purchasing an embroidery machine I have just stayed with my old Singer.  I have been able to find various feet for the slant shaft and feel that it does well for everything I have needed so far.  It's sort of like an "old shoe" which is comfortable to me.

            I also have my mother's old machine.  I am not sure how old it is, but I am 60 years old and I do not remember when she didn't have it.  She made all of my clothes on it from the time I can remember until she died when I was 25 years old.  Every once in a while I sew a few stitches on it just to marvel that it still sews great.  It is not electric.  I only have 3 needles for it and am afraid to use it because I might break a needle.

            Who knows, maybe someday my grandchildren will say that my Singer touch tronic still sews great and they can't remember when I didn't have it.

          7. Betakin | | #12

            Granna, that is a nice story about your Mom's machine. My Mom didn't sew and I only took sewing in Jr. High school for a few weeks on an old black treadle and never sewed again till I became a self taught sewer when my DH came home one day with a machine and said "sew" as a necessity when raising 6 kids. My kids all have kids of their own now and some of their kids have kids..26 in all with 6 being my great grands. I have given my DD's and DDIL's and some of the DGD's machines and sergers but none really do sew as much as I. I bought very cheap fabrics when sewing for my children but my middle girl was voted best dressed in her high school and it would not have been possible if it was not for my good Singer machine. I did work for Singer selling machines back when they had separate stores and then went to depts. in fabric stores then they vanished for a time and machines were no longer made in the USA like the Touch N Sews etc. I own several other brands of machines now. I gave my last Singer to a DDIL. I am very happy with my present machines of other brands but I sure do miss the slant needle Singer's.

             

             

             

      2. spicegirl | | #13

        Great thought!  You do have a wonderful machine no matter what you call it.  I think most people say Viking, because they don't know how to pronounce Husqvarna.  Happy sewing!

        1. User avater
          Thimblefingers | | #14

          Actually, I think the use of Husqvarna and Viking names has more to do with licenced names that are allowed in different countries.  In Canada, Eaton's department stores used the Viking name for their products and I understand that is why Husqvarna counldn't use it here.  It's some kind of legaleze, anyway, that caused the difference in names.  (Viking is also much easier to spell! and I've only heard a couple people pronounce Husqvarna correctly - they were Swedes - and it's definitely not like it looks! Kind of h(you)sk-(ware)-na).

          1. User avater
            wghmch | | #15

            "Kind of h(you)sk-(ware)-na)."

            If the person you are informing doesn't need a towel after you pronounce Husqvarna, you didn't pronounce it right.

            Bill Holman

          2. User avater
            Thimblefingers | | #16

            Ahhh ha!  Perhaps that is why, after several tries, I could not get it right!  My Husqvarna was just too dry!  (Good thing I wasn't standing too close to my friend!)

This post is archived.

Threads Insider

Get instant access to hundreds of videos, tutorials, projects, and more.

Start Your Free Trial

Already an Insider? Log in

Conversational Threads

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |

Threads Insider Exclusives

View All
View All

Highlights

Shop the Store

View All
View More