Juki MO-3000QVP Akane Serger Review
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I finally purchased my first air-threading serger, the Juki Akane MO-3000QVP.
Except for a Singer heavy-duty sewing machine, I have only used Brother machines (sewing, embroidery, serger, and coverstitch even.)
However, with Brother just now putting out their first air-threading serger (with nowhere near as many features as the Juki MO-3000QVP), I took a plunge and bought my first Juki machine.
I was so excited about this serger’s release that I found the only Juki dealer locally and purchased my serger the day it came on the floor.
Learn more about my experiences in my Juki MO-3000QVP review!
What Came In the Box
I had a hard time finding what was included with the serger online, so I’m listing the contents of the box below for inquiring minds.
- Juki MO-3000QVP serger with power cord, attachable thread stand, and foot pedal
- Trim trap
- Knee lifter
- Curve presser foot
- Accessories: looper threader, needle set, dust cover, wool needle, screwdriver, spool caps, and oil
Juki MO-3000QVP Review: My Likes and Gripes
You can all head over to the Juki website to read the features, so I’ll skip relisting each of them but rather explain why some of these features are helpful and which ones leave me still frustrated.
The Features I Love
1. Air Threading Loopers: Threading is Easier, but Not Effortless
Self-threading sergers are priceless if you have dexterity issues (me!) or vision problems.
In the case of the Juki MO-3000, the two loopers are threaded with air, and the two needles have a built-in threader.
If you’re looking for a serger to magically thread everything for you with little input, unfortunately, those don’t exist yet,
But, the Juki MO-3000 makes threading easier than a standard serger.
You still have to remember which buttons to push and levers to turn to set up the machine, but you don’t have to follow complicated thread paths or remember threading order.
And, even though there’s a needle threader, you still have to depress the lever and catch the hook with your thread, which requires some dexterity.
For some users, using a needle threading tool might be easier than the needle threader apparatus.
2. Auto Tension Is Handy, But You Must Still Adjust Other Settings
The Juki MO-3000QVP serger automatically sets tension based on your stitch and fabric.
Check out this beautiful overlock stitch on twill I made with my machine when it came straight out of the box!
However, even though it has auto tension, you will still have to manually adjust stitch length and width and fine-tune the differential feed.
And, because nothing’s ever perfect all the time, if the stitch quality is not what you expected, a knob with a + and – side inside the looper area allows you to adjust looper tensions manually.
3. The Pros and Cons of Automatic Thread Trimming
This Juki serger has three ways to cut the threads that go above the old-fashioned “serging over the chain method.”
- Pressing the scissors button on the machine front.
- Programming the foot pedal heel action to cut.
- Setting up auto trimming based on chain length.
Trimming with the button and my heel are fantastic features!
However, I don’t love the programmed auto-trimming.
It must rely on some sort of technology that assesses if there’s fabric over the sensor behind the presser foot because it initiates at some weird times and doesn’t at others.
For example, I was serging the raw edges of hems of shorts for my husband, and every time the fabric would go to the machine’s left off the sensor, the thread cutter would engage and almost clip my fabric.
So, if you’re going to serge straight and never let the end of the fabric veer off the sensor, no problems! However, if you’re serging something circular that doesn’t feed directly behind the presser foot, then turn off the auto function.
I’ll just say it’s a work-in-progress learning to use the auto thread trimmer with my previous serger “bad habits,” because my 3000 always giving me errors when I remove the thread chains too fast or move them to the wrong places.
4. Knee Lifter
I hate that the presser foot lifter is located behind the presser foot rather than on the machine’s right, as is the case on the Brother 1034D and 1034DX sergers I’ve used for years.
Thankfully, I can just use the knee lifter to quickly lower and raise the presser foot without having to reprogram my muscle memory.
5. Curved Foot
The foot on the bottom right is the additional presser foot that came with the machine, and it’s used to serge tighter curves.
So far, so good with it producing professional-appearing serged seams on curves.
6. Such a Nice Foot Pedal
The foot pedal lets you program a heel action, which is helpful if you’re comfortable with a multi-function foot pedal.
The pedal is also heavy enough that it doesn’t slide around like the flimsy foot pedals of EVERY OTHER MACHINE I own.
Also, it’s such a simple thing, but the cord for the foot pedal wraps around the bottom of the foot pedal, and this is such a boon for organized storage.
7. Other Cool Things I Don’t Have Many Opinions About
First, there’s an LCD screen. It allows you to change all sorts of machine settings like the max serging speed, the color and brightness of the light, and more.
Then, there’s a micro-lifter on the top right of the machine. I haven’t used mine yet, so I can’t comment on whether it makes a difference.
Last, there’s an easy switch to make converting to a rolled hem much easier. It’s not “automatic” per se, but it does make the process easier than on traditional sergers.
Things I Don’t Love About my Juki MO-3000QVP
Since you can all read the cool things the machine does over on the Juki website, let’s get to what they don’t tell you and what I’m not necessarily in love with.
1. My Biggest Gripe: No Free Arm
Many high-end self-threading sergers don’t have free arms for some reason.
Some sergers–like the high-end Bernina and Pfaff sergers and the air-threading Bernette serger–do, though, so I can conclude that free arms aren’t impossible to produce on self-threading sergers.
However, no such luck for my Juki regarding that helpful feature for sewing circular items.
However, it is snazzy that the side (where the free arm should be) opens up for the world’s most accessible cleaning.
2. Difficult-to-Access Tweezers
The tweezers are challenging to get in and out of the looper cover.
I’m so worried that the pressure required to remove and replace them will break a plastic piece, so I’ve since stored the tweezers outside the front cover.
3. Trim Trap is Also Difficult to Release
The trim trap isn’t super easy to remove and replace. I’ve found that lifting the machine ever so slightly makes it more accessible.
4. The Plastic Cover Seems a Few Inches Too Short
The plastic cover doesn’t cover the entire serger when the top of the telescoping poll is attached (even when the telescope is down.)
Unless I’m missing something simple here, or there’s something wrong with a dust cover that protects the entirety of the serger?
As such, I’ll have to sew a new cover because I like my covers brushing the table so my children don’t get any ideas with their fingers.
5. Still Working Out Differential Feed and Other Parameters
Learning to gather certain knit fabrics was difficult with the automatic tension settings.
For example, a differential of 2.0 and stitch length of 4.0 (as recommended in the manual) did not work very well on ITY knit.
It’s probably user error, so I’ll ask the shop where I bought it for tips next time I stop by.
6. Clicking Knobs Would Be Nice
I wish the stitch length and differential feed normative value (2.5mm and N) clicked into place with the knobs.
After resetting the knobs to standard values, I always seem to undershoot when turning based on the markings and end up with 2.6mm for stitch length and 1.1 for differential feed.
If there were a little click or another type of proprioceptive feedback, that would save me a few seconds when I readjust to standard settings.
7. I’m a Clean Freak and Don’t Love the Rubbery Plaque
The plaque with the machine model information is rubbery, and so many tiny threads and lint stick to it.
I’ve had to clean it with alcohol to make it perfect again, so I hope this doesn’t affect the integrity of the plaque long-term.
Also, as an aside, according to Juki, Akane (the name of the serger model) means “deep red” and refers to Juki’s “rich heritage.”
It’s odd, though, that there’s not a hint of red color on the machine–the closest color is bright pink on the plaque!
8. A Petty Gripe About Naming
I’m not sure why Juki chose 3000 for this serger model, as it can be confusing.
When I first researched this Juki MO-3000QVP serger, I kept finding information about the Juki DX-3000QVP, which is actually a sewing machine!
Juki MO-3000QVP vs. Baby Lock Victory
The Baby Lock Victory was the other serger I strongly considered because of the auto tension and air threading.
However, for similar prices, the Juki’s added features like an LCD screen, auto thread trimming, and the knee lifter pushed me toward the Juki.
Also, according to the sewing shop where I purchased my Juki MO-3000QVP, the patent for Baby Lock’s air threading expired, so more companies are adopting similar technologies.
And, apparently, Juki factories have made Baby Lock’s air-threading sergers for years, so Juki knows the technology and has thus made one heck of an air-threading serger under its brand.
Where to Buy the Juki MO-3000QVP
Obviously, if you have a dealer locally, you may be able to snag a great deal and free lessons. (Although, this machine is SO easy to use compared to standard sergers.)
However, I’ve seen the Juki MO-3000QVP at several online retailers (a plus for Juki, in my opinion. I love when pricing is transparently available online and you don’t have to risk getting a bad deal at a shop.)
I’ve bought machines or parts from these locations before, so here are my suggested online retailers for the Juki MO-3000QVP.
- Sewing Machines Plus (they have a 10% off coupon if you sign up for emails, but their brand exclusions are constantly increasing, so the coupon may not always work on Juki sergers.)
- AllBrands
- Ken’s Sewing Center
Final Notes
I love my Juki MO-3000QVP and think it was worth every penny.
The auto tension settings, automatic thread cutter, and air threading are indispensable, and I firmly believe Juki is at the forefront of technology with this serger considering its price point.
Let me know if you have any questions!
Thank you for your review, it’s very informative. Does this model have a back stitch feature? I’ve heard that higher-end sergers do, I am just not sure if this one has it.
I don’t think so. (If it does, I haven’t found it yet!)
What machine did you purchase/use for your hemmer? Is it an industrial type machine like this Juki serger? Your article came out before the new Bernina 890. I wonder what you would have thought about it.
I have the Janome CoverPro 3000 Professional, which is a snazzy machine but not quite industrial. I really wanted a coverstitch that could do a double-sided coverstitch, which is why I chose that one. (I previously had the Brother 2340CV for years, hated it, and traded it in for the Janome in April.)
Now, if the Bernina 890 were available, I think I would still would stick with my Juki and Janome machines, though. Even though it’s a pretty advanced machine, the 890 costs WAY more than my two did together, and I’m also too lazy to convert combo machines from one function to another during a project; I prefer two machines side by side. I also don’t think the 890 does the double-sided cover stitch (I could be wrong), but I really like that stitch for constructing activewear and kids undies (the ultimate knit scrapbuster for this repurposer over here!)
hoping you can help me, I am the new owner of a MO300 and not terribly familiar with using a serger prior to purchase. It stitched fine out of the box, but now the left needle thread is too tight no matter what I do. I have re treaded , switched needles, switched threads and everything I look up is telling me to adjust the left needle tension ….no can do on this guy. Any suggestions?