Husqvarna Viking Designer Epic 3 vs Janome Continental M17
Technical comparison · Sewing and embroidery combos
Both are top-tier sewing and embroidery combos, and the choice comes down to the shape of the embroidery field: the Designer Epic 3 stitches in a 450 × 450 mm square, the Continental M17 in a wide 460 × 280 mm rectangle (manufacturer-stated sizes).
| Parameter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Awards | — | |
| Identity | ||
| Use tier | F4 — Semi-professional | F4 — Semi-professional |
| Price | ||
| Price | ~11000–25000 € | 16499 € |
| Category specs | ||
| Embroidery area, long side | 450 mm | 460 mm |
| Embroidery area, short side | 450 mm | 280 mm |
| Maximum embroidery speed | 1000 spm | 1200 spm |
| Built-in embroidery designs | 912 | 1230 |
| Free-arm embroidery | Yes | — |
| Built-in embroidery fonts | 8 | 10 |
| Supported file formats | — | JEF (Janome), JEF+ (Janome), JPX (Janome) |
| Connectivity | — | Wi-Fi, USB |
| Included hoops | DESIGNER Regal Hoop (465x260 mm), DESIGNER Royal Hoop II (360x200 mm), DESIGNER Jewel Hoop II (240x150 mm), DESIGNER Splendid Square Hoop II (120x120 mm), adattatore per telai | Größter Stickrahmen 280 mm x 460 mm aus Carbon + 3 weitere Rahmen |
| Frame material | — | Metal |
| Stitch selection | Touchscreen | — |
| Maximum speed | — | 1300 spm |
| Built-in stitches | 871 | 850 |
| Buttonhole styles | 16 | 13 |
| Stitch types | — | Straight stitch, Zigzag stitch, Triple stretch straight stitch, Three-step zigzag, Triple stretch zigzag, Blind hem stitch, Stretch blind hem stitch, Elastic overlock stitch |
| Maximum stitch width | 9 mm | — |
| Needle positions | 37 | 91 |
| Space to the right of the needle | 310 mm | 343 mm |
| Arm workspace height | — | 140 mm |
| Dual feed / walking foot system | Integrated in the machine | — |
| Needle threader | Automatic | Automatic |
| Automatic thread cutter | — | Yes |
| Automatic presser foot lifter | — | Yes |
| Thread tension | — | Automatic |
| Display | Colour touchscreen | Colour touchscreen |
| Display size | 10.1 in | — |
| Independent bobbin winder | — | Yes |
| Thread sensors | — | Upper thread |
| Connectivity | USB, Wi-Fi | — |
SewingSpecs Awards
Most capable Semi-professional
Highest technical score among the 5 sheets in the Sewing and embroidery combos category (semi-professional tier): 78/100.
How we assign awards →No awards in this tier.
The differences that matter
- Embroidery area, 450 × 450 mm vs 460 × 280 mm → the Epic 3 takes tall designs; the M17 takes only wide, low ones.
- Embroidery speed, 1000 vs 1200 stitches per minute → on a dense design the M17 finishes sooner.
Which one to choose
Choose Husqvarna Viking Designer Epic 3 if…
you embroider tall designs that will not fit the other machine's rectangle, or you want free-arm embroidery, which keeps the narrow end of the machine under the hoop so you can work on tubular pieces. It holds 912 designs and 8 fonts, against 1230 and 10. The trade-off: the stated embroidery speed is lower, so a long design takes longer to finish.
Choose Janome Continental M17 if…
most of your work is wide and low, such as a band or border along a garment, up to 460 mm long. It has 1230 built-in designs and 10 fonts, Wi-Fi and USB, reads Janome's JEF, JEF+ and JPX formats and comes with a carbon-fibre hoop for the largest size. The trade-off: a design taller than that hoop does not fit.
Where to buy
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