Janome Continental M17 vs Pfaff creative icon 2
Technical comparison · Sewing and embroidery combos
Two top-tier combos with the same automatic needle threader and automatic thread cutter: what decides is the shape of the embroidery field, wide and low on the Janome Continental M17 (460 × 280 mm), nearly square on the Pfaff creative icon 2 (360 × 350 mm), manufacturer-stated values.
| Parameter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Use tier | F4 — Semi-professional | F4 — Semi-professional |
| Price | ||
| Price | 16499 € | ~11000–25000 € |
| Category specs | ||
| Embroidery area, long side | 460 mm | 360 mm |
| Embroidery area, short side | 280 mm | 350 mm |
| Embroidery unit | — | Included |
| Maximum embroidery speed | 1200 spm | — |
| Built-in embroidery designs | 1230 | 873 |
| Built-in embroidery fonts | 10 | 8 |
| Supported file formats | JEF (Janome), JEF+ (Janome), JPX (Janome) | — |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, USB | — |
| Included hoops | Größter Stickrahmen 280 mm x 460 mm aus Carbon + 3 weitere Rahmen | creative Grand Dream Hoop (360x350 mm), creative Supreme Hoop (360x260 mm), creative Elite Hoop (260x200 mm), creative Square Hoop (120x120 mm), 16 clip per telaio |
| Frame material | Metal | — |
| Stitch selection | — | Touchscreen |
| Maximum speed | 1300 spm | 1050 spm |
| Built-in stitches | 850 | — |
| Buttonhole styles | 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 |
| Maximum stitch length | — | 5 mm |
| Needle positions | 91 | — |
| Space to the right of the needle | 343 mm | 310 mm |
| Arm workspace height | 140 mm | — |
| Drop feed | — | Yes |
| Dual feed / walking foot system | — | Integrated in the machine |
| Needle threader | Automatic | Automatic |
| Automatic thread cutter | Yes | Yes |
| Knee lifter | — | Yes |
| Automatic presser foot lifter | Yes | — |
| Thread tension | Automatic | — |
| Display | Colour touchscreen | — |
| Display size | — | 10.1 in |
| Independent bobbin winder | Yes | — |
| Thread sensors | Upper thread | Bobbin |
The differences that matter
- Embroidery area, 460 × 280 mm vs 360 × 350 mm → the M17 takes long bands; the creative icon 2 takes taller designs. Neither covers the other's shape.
- Thread sensor, upper thread vs bobbin → the M17 flags when the spool runs out, the creative icon 2 when the bobbin does.
Which one to choose
Choose Janome Continental M17 if…
you embroider mostly long bands and borders and want a large library: 1230 designs, 10 fonts, 850 stitches, Wi-Fi and USB, with Janome's JEF, JEF+ and JPX formats; the stated embroidery speed is 1200 stitches per minute. The trade-off: the largest hoop is low, so a taller design does not fit.
Choose Pfaff creative icon 2 if…
you embroider nearly square designs and need the built-in dual feed, which moves the fabric from above as well, together with the knee lift and the lowerable feed dogs. The trade-off: the stated sewing speed is 1050 stitches per minute against 1300, the library is 873 designs against 1230, and the largest hoop is shorter.
Where to buy
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