Janome Gem (and probably others) Do Have Variable Needle Positions
You do have variable needle positions on this machine - lots of them! I found this out by accident. Press the zig zag button on our machine. If you press the +, your needle will move several positions to the right, the same if you press the -, the needle will move several positions to the left. You can stop at any needle position you want. Then press the straight stitch button. Your needle will stay in the position you left it in and you can sew away on your straight stitch. Hope my directions are clear!