Juki HZL-70HW Review: Sewing Excellence Explored
Juki HZL-70HW review: The Juki brand is highly regarded in the sewing community for its durable and user-friendly machines. The Juki HZL-70HW is one of their popular computerized sewing machines designed for home sewists.
This lightweight and portable model comes loaded with features like 80 built-in stitches, one-step buttonholes, and an automatic needle threader. The HZL-70HW also provides the convenience of adjustable feed dogs for free motion quilting and embroidery work.
With its affordable price point and versatility, it’s a great choice for beginner and intermediate sewists looking for their first computerized sewing machine or a secondary portable model.
In this Juki HZL-70HW review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the key features, benefits, and drawbacks of this user-friendly machine.
Overview of Juki HZL-70HW Features
The Juki HZL-70HW comes equipped with various features that make sewing and quilting projects easier and more convenient. Here is an overview of some of the key features this computerized sewing machine offers:
Variety of Built-In Stitches
The HZL-70HW includes 80 built-in stitches including:
- 6 one-step buttonhole styles
- 57 decorative stitches like satin, cross, and blanket
- 17 utility stitches such as straight, zigzag, and stretch
This wide selection allows sewists to embellish projects from clothing to quilts. Stitches can be selected via the direct pattern selection buttons or stitch reference chart located on the machine.
High-Quality Buttonholes
Producing professional buttonholes is effortless with the HZL-70HW. The machine includes 7 styles of auto-size buttonholes suitable for any fabric type. The buttonhole foot senses the button size, allowing the machine to stitch a properly sized buttonhole automatically.
Convenient Automatic Needle Threader
The included automatic needle threader allows for quick and convenient threading with the touch of a lever. This handy feature saves time and prevents eye strain.
Adjustable Feed Dogs
The HZL-70HW’s feed dogs can be lowered for free-motion quilting, sewing, and embroidery. This gives sewers more creative control when stitching detailed designs.
| Feed Dog Positions | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Raised | Ensures smooth fabric feeding for straight stitching |
| Lowered | Allows for free-motion sewing with user control |
Additional Convenient Features:
- Built-in cutter for quick thread cutting
- Variable speed control for optimal stitching control
- Easy bobbin winding with diagrams on machine
- Bright LED light to illuminate workspace
- Hard cover for storage and transport
With its computerized functionality, selection of stitches, and convenient features, the Juki HZL-70HW offers sewists and quilters a versatile range of options to complete projects efficiently.
Benefits of the Juki HZL-70HW
The Juki HZL-70HW provides sewists with several beneficial features that make sewing projects easier, more convenient, and higher quality. Here are some of the key advantages this machine offers:
Lightweight and Portable
Weighing under 20 pounds, the HZL-70HW is lightweight and portable. The built-in carry handle allows easy transport to classes, retreats, or even around the house. This makes the HZL-70HW a great secondary machine or one to take on the go.
Beginner-Friendly
This computerized sewing machine is a great choice for beginner sewists due to its user-friendly operation. Convenient features like the automatic needle threader, top drop-in bobbin, and stitch selection buttons allow for nearly effortless set up. The machine produces consistent, high-quality stitches even at low speeds, instilling confidence.
Reliable Feeding System
Juki sewing machines are known for superior feeding, and the HZL-70HW is no exception. The box feed system provides excellent control when sewing on a range of fabrics from sheer chiffons to multiple layers of denim. Skipping stitches is rare even at high speeds up to 800 SPM.
Free Motion Capabilities
The easy-access feed dog lever allows the position to be changed for free motion quilting, sewing, and embroidery. Lowering the feed dogs gives full user control. The extension table provides extra surface area for managing larger projects.
Handling Heavy Fabrics
From canvas to denim, the HZL-70HW can handle thicker fabrics many cheaper machines cannot. Features like the box feed system, metal interior, and adjustable presser foot pressure allow the machine to sew smoothly through heavy materials without hesitation.
| Heavy Fabrics Handled Well |
|---|
| Denim |
| Canvas |
| Quilts |
| Outdoor gear |
With advantages like portability, reliability, stitch quality, and versatility, the Juki HZL-70HW is a great value that can grow with intermediate sewists’ developing skills.
Drawbacks of the Juki HZL-70HW
While the Juki HZL-70HW has many excellent features and benefits, there are some drawbacks potential buyers should consider.
Lack of Automatic Thread Cutter
Unlike some similar models, the HZL-70HW does not include an automatic thread cutter. It only has a manual thread cutter located on the face plate. For sewists accustomed to machines with automatic cutting, this can be an inconvenience requiring manual cutting between stitching.
Smaller Harp Space
The distance between the needle and machine body, known as the harp space, is smaller on the HZL-70HW compared to higher-end models. This can make manipulating larger projects like quilts more difficult.
Potential Bobbin Jamming
Some users have reported issues with bobbin jamming on the HZL-70HW model. This seems to occur from tension inconsistencies. Proper maintenance and adjustments are required to prevent jamming.
Limited LCD Screen
The LCD screen on the HZL-70HW is limited compared to the more advanced displays on machines like the Juki HZL-F600. It does not illustrate selected stitches or allow editing beyond sizing.
| Drawbacks | Impact |
|---|---|
| No automatic thread cutter | Requires manual cutting each time |
| Small harp space | Can limit larger projects |
| Bobbin jamming | Frustrating when it occurs |
| Basic LCD screen | Less stitch customization ability |
So while not a deal-breaker, these drawbacks should be considered especially by more advanced sewists.
Overall the HZL-70HW provides excellent capabilities for the price point, but lacks some convenience and customization available on more advanced Juki models. Understanding these limitations can set reasonable expectations.
Who Should Buy the Juki HZL-70HW?
With its blend of user-friendly operation and versatility, the Juki HZL-70HW is an excellent choice for certain sewists. Here is a look at who can benefit most from this computerized sewing machine:
Beginner and Intermediate Home Sewists
The HZL-70HW is an ideal starter machine for the beginner just learning to sew. User-friendly features allow the machine to grow with developing skills. More advanced home sewists can utilize the variety of stitches and buttonholes to make clothing, crafts, decorative pieces, and more.
Its approachable operation, reliability, and quality feeding make it a machine beginner and intermediate sewists can learn on for years without quickly outgrowing. The HZL-70HW can easily handle the needs of most home crafters and sewists.
Quilters and Crafters Seeking Portable Machine
For quilters, sewists, and crafters wanting a lightweight portable model, the 19 pound HZL-70HW is a top choice. The accessible free motion capabilities, extension table, and built-in carry handle allow projects to be sewn anywhere inspiration strikes! It provides an affordable secondary machine strictly for portable use.
Sewists Wanting Budget-Friendly Quality
The HZL-70HW offers tremendous value at its lower price point while maintaining Juki’s standards of quality. For sewists not needing all the bells and whistles of pricier computerized models, it provides core features like:
- Reliable feeding system
- Variety of stitches
- Buttonholes
- Adjustable feed dogs
- Easy threading/bobbin
The HZL-70HW allows sewists wanting quality construction a chance to own a Juki machine at a budget-friendly price.
The versatility and value of the Juki HZL-70HW make it a great fit for particular sewing needs and budgets. For many home sewists, it can serve as the ideal primary workhorse machine.
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Comparable Juki and Other Brand Models
If the Juki HZL-70HW appeals to you, here are some other comparable machines worth considering from Juki and other brands:
Juki HZL-F300
The Juki HZL-F300 has similar features and capability to the HZL-70HW. Key differences include:
- Box feed system for superior stitch quality
- Better buttonholes
- Larger 5″ LCD screen
- Wider harp space
This model costs around $150-200 more but provides enhanced stitch performance and customization better suited to intermediate and advanced sewists.
Juki TL-2000Qi
The Juki TL-2000Qi is a higher-end quilting and sewing machine. Advantages over the HZL-70HW include:
- Automatic thread cutting
- Knee lift lever
- Wider harp space and extension table
- Built-in stitch reference guide
- Superior LED lighting
With a price tag around $900, this Juki model offers more convenience and capability for avid quilters and sewists.
Brother CS6000i
Brother’s CS6000i has some comparable capabilities to Juki’s HZL-70HW and costs around $100 less. Key factors include:
| Brother CS6000i | Juki HZL-70HW |
|---|---|
| 60 built-in stitches | 80 built-in stitches |
| 7 auto-size buttonholes | 7 auto-size buttonholes |
| Automatic needle threader | Automatic needle threader |
| Adjustable sewing speed | Adjustable sewing speed |
| Hard cover included | Hard cover included |
For shoppers on a stricter budget, the CS6000i offers similar functionality for a lower price, though may not have the long-term durability of a Juki.
There are many great sewing machines similar to the HZL-70HW in the $300-$500 range. Considering your particular needs and budget will determine the best choice. Test driving models can help decide if upgraded features are worth the higher costs.
Where to Buy the Juki HZL-70HW
Once you decide the Juki HZL-70HW is the right computerized sewing machine for your needs, here are some tips on where to purchase it:
Authorized Juki Dealers
Looking for a local authorized Juki dealer is always advisable when buying a new Juki sewing machine. Benefits of purchasing through an authorized dealer include:
- Ability to test drive machine in person
- Verify availability for faster shipping
- Knowledgeable guidance on best model for your needs
- Professional set up, tuning, and instruction
- Full manufacturer’s warranty and service
Juki limits full warranty coverage primarily to purchases through authorized retailers, so this option provides peace of mind. Visit Juki’s dealer locator page and call dealers in your area to inquire about the HZL-70HW.
Online Retailers
For wider selection or discounted pricing, shopping online is another option. Reputable online sewing machine retailers like Amazon and SewingMachinesPlus offer the Juki HZL-70HW.
When buying online, be sure to:
- Verify seller is authorized Juki dealer
- Check return policy and timeline
- Understand who handles any warranty issues
- Inspect machine carefully upon arrival before using
No matter where you purchase your Juki HZL-70HW, perform a thorough inspection and test sew with various fabrics, stitches, and buttonholes to confirm everything functions properly right away. This will help identify any potential issues covered under warranty early on.
Final Verdict on the Juki HZL-70HW
For beginner and intermediate home sewists and crafters, the Juki HZL-70HW computerized sewing machine represents a versatile, user-friendly model at an affordable price point.
With conveniences like the automatic needle threader, variety of stitches and buttonholes, adjustable feed dogs for free motion quilting, and lightweight portable design, it provides core functionality for most sewing projects.
While it lacks some features of higher-end Juki models, the HZL-70HW produces consistent, high-quality results users have come to expect from the brand.
For its blend of quality construction and approachable operation, our final verdict is that the HZL-70HW is an excellent value sewing machine worth considering.