Janome

Janome Corporation is a Japanese sewing-machine manufacturer whose origins date to the establishment of the Pine Sewing Machine factory in Tokyo on 16 October 1921. The company developed from a domestic Japanese sewing-machine maker into an international manufacturer with production facilities in Japan, Taiwan, and Thailand and sales in more than 100 countries. Its products address household sewing, computerized sewing, embroidery, quilting, and industrial applications. The Janome name was introduced as a trademark in 1935 and became the company name in 1954. The name refers to the circular bobbin design used by the company during that period: its appearance was compared with a snake’s eye, which in Japanese is represented by “janome” (蛇の目). The same term is also associated with a traditional Japanese bull’s-eye umbrella pattern, although the company’s naming explanation is tied to the visual form of the bobbin. Janome’s history is closely connected with the development of computerized sewing. It established a research laboratory in Tokyo in 1964 and introduced a programmable, computerized sewing machine for industrial use in 1971. In 1979, the company launched the Memory 7, described as the first computerized sewing machine for the home market. It subsequently extended computer control into domestic embroidery and quilting. The Memory Craft 8000, introduced in 1990, brought professional-style embroidery capabilities to home users, while the Memory Craft 6500P, introduced in 2003, was positioned as the first long-arm quilting machine for home use. The company also expanded through brand and international operations. In 1960 it acquired the New Home brand, whose roots reach back to nineteenth-century American sewing-machine production. In the United States, Janome operates through Janome America in Mahwah, New Jersey. The company also owns the Swiss sewing-machine brand Elna. Janome states that its machines are manufactured through its own factory network rather than being made by unrelated third-party factories. Until 30 September 2021, the corporate name was Janome Sewing Machine Co., Ltd. From 1 October 2021, the company adopted the name JANOME Corporation. The Janome brand remains associated with sewing-machine technology, computerized controls, embroidery, quilting, accessories, and industrial equipment. Its distribution is primarily conducted through retail channels, with country and regional websites identifying authorized retailers and market-specific product ranges.

Janome’s corporate history begins with the Pine Sewing Machine factory, founded in Japan on 16 October 1921. The business initially operated as a Japanese sewing-machine manufacturer. In 1935 it established the Janome trademark. The name was inspired by the circular appearance of a newer bobbin design, which resembled a snake’s eye; “janome” literally refers to a snake’s eye in Japanese. The company formally adopted Janome Sewing Machine Co., Ltd. as its name in 1954. Janome’s later development included both technological research and expansion through established sewing-machine brands. The company created a research laboratory in Tokyo in 1964, supporting a shift toward electronically controlled and computerized equipment. In 1971 it released a machine with programmable and computerized functions for industrial applications. This development helped establish the company’s reputation for applying digital control to sewing equipment rather than limiting its business to mechanically operated domestic machines. The company also acquired the New Home brand in 1960. New Home had nineteenth-century American roots. William Barker and Andrew J. Clark began making sewing machines around 1862, initially using the Pride of the West name. After the operation moved to Orange, Massachusetts, in 1867, it produced machines including the New England Single Thread Hand Sewing Machine and the Home Shuttle. The business was reorganized as New Home in 1882, combining the earlier New England and Home Shuttle identities. Financial difficulties in the 1920s led to its takeover by The Free Sewing Machine Company in 1930. Janome later purchased the New Home business and brand, adding an established American name to its international portfolio. Janome brought computerized sewing into the home market with the Memory 7 in 1979. The company continued to build the Memory Craft line as a platform for advanced domestic sewing and embroidery. The Memory Craft 8000, introduced in 1990, was presented as the first Janome home machine offering professional-style embroidery capabilities. In 2003, the Memory Craft 6500P extended the company’s domestic quilting range with a long-arm format intended for home users. Internationally, Janome developed manufacturing and distribution operations beyond Japan. Its manufacturing network includes plants in Japan, Taiwan, and Thailand. In the United States, Janome America is based in Mahwah, New Jersey. The company also owns the Swiss brand Elna and has maintained a global retail distribution structure serving more than 100 countries. Retailers and market-specific product offerings are presented through Janome’s regional websites. The corporate name changed from Janome Sewing Machine Co., Ltd. to JANOME Corporation on 1 October 2021, following the end of the former name on 30 September 2021. The rebranding preserved the Janome identity while reflecting the company’s broader corporate and international presence. Today, the business remains active across household sewing, embroidery, quilting, industrial sewing, and related equipment.

• 2021

  Corporate name changed to JANOME Corporation

  [1]Janomeen.wikipedia.org

  On 1 October 2021, the company changed its corporate name from Janome Sewing Machine Co., Ltd. to JANOME Corporation.

• 2003

  Memory Craft 6500P introduced

  [1]Janomeen.wikipedia.org

  Janome introduced the Memory Craft 6500P, described as the first long-arm quilting machine designed for home use.

• 1990

  Memory Craft 8000 introduced

  [1]Janomeen.wikipedia.org

  The Memory Craft 8000 brought professional-style embroidery capabilities to the home market.

• 1979

  Memory 7 launched

  [1]Janomeen.wikipedia.org

  Janome introduced the Memory 7, described as its first computerized sewing machine for home use.

• 1971

  Programmable industrial sewing machine introduced

  [1]Janomeen.wikipedia.org

  The company released an industrial sewing machine incorporating programmable and computerized functions.

• 1964

  Tokyo research laboratory established

  [1]Janomeen.wikipedia.org

  Janome established a research laboratory in Tokyo to support continuing sewing-machine development.

• 1960

  New Home brand acquired

  [1]Janomeen.wikipedia.org

  Janome purchased the New Home business and brand, connecting it with a long-established American sewing-machine lineage.

• 1954

  Company adopts Janome Sewing Machine name

  [1]Janomeen.wikipedia.org

  The business was renamed Janome Sewing Machine Co., Ltd.

• 1935

  Janome trademark introduced

  [1]Janomeen.wikipedia.org

  The company established the Janome trademark, adopting a name associated with the circular form of its newer bobbin design.

• 1921

  Pine Sewing Machine factory established

  [1]Janomeen.wikipedia.org

  The Pine Sewing Machine factory was founded in Japan on 16 October 1921, providing the origin of the modern Janome business.

A technology-oriented Japanese sewing-machine brand combining household sewing, computerized controls, embroidery, quilting, and industrial equipment for an international retail and professional market.

• Sewing machines

  Household sewing machines

  Janome’s household range covers conventional and computerized machines for general sewing, garment construction, repairs, and craft work. The company’s domestic products form the core of its retail business and include machines designed for different levels of user experience and project complexity.

• Computerized sewing machine · 1979

  Memory 7

  Introduced in 1979, the Memory 7 was described as Janome’s first computerized sewing machine for home use. Its significance lies in bringing electronically controlled sewing functions from industrial development into the domestic market.

• Embroidery machine · 1990

  Memory Craft 8000

  Launched in 1990, the Memory Craft 8000 extended computerization into home embroidery. It was presented as the first Janome home machine to offer professional-style embroidery capabilities, helping establish the Memory Craft name in the advanced domestic market.

• Quilting machine · 2003

  Memory Craft 6500P

  Introduced in 2003, the Memory Craft 6500P was positioned as a long-arm quilting machine for home use. It represented Janome’s effort to adapt equipment characteristics associated with professional quilting to domestic users.

• Industrial sewing machines · 1971

  Industrial sewing equipment

  Janome manufactures industrial sewing equipment, including products incorporating computerized and programmable functions. Industrial equipment complements the company’s household portfolio and reflects its longstanding focus on automated sewing technology.

• Sewing-machine brand · 1960

  New Home

  New Home is a historic American sewing-machine brand acquired by Janome in 1960. Its lineage extends to nineteenth-century production in Massachusetts, and the brand became part of Janome’s broader international sewing-machine portfolio.

• Sewing-machine brand

  Elna

  Elna is a Swiss sewing-machine brand owned by Janome. It operates as a distinct brand within Janome’s portfolio and contributes to the group’s international presence in sewing equipment.

1. 1Janomeen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Janome official websitejanome.com