Photo: Janome
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The Continental M8 Professional is Janome's flagship electronic machine: a die-cast aluminium body, a flush bed and generous space to the right of the needle for maneuvering quilts without forcing them through a narrow arm. The AcuFeed Flex system runs an upper feed that balances from the display and stops on its own when not needed; the plate lifts automatically via a stepper motor when it needs changing. Both the upper thread and the bobbin thread are monitored, the bobbin one by infrared, with the option to turn the warning off.
Four hundred fifty stitches, thirteen buttonhole types and four alphabets are chosen on the 7-inch colour touchscreen; foot pressure adjusts automatically and electronically, and the foot itself lifts on its own. The electronic knee lever, besides lifting the foot, also controls stitch width during free-motion sewing. It's a heavy machine built to stay put on a sturdy table, not to be moved from room to room.
Highest technical score among the 4 sheets in the Electronic and computerised category (semi-professional tier): 100/100.
How we assign awards →| Parameter | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 17.4 kg (38.4 lb) | manufacturer website |
| Power supply | 80-240 V | manufacturer website |
| Machine width | 650 mm | Declared by the brand |
| Machine height | 371 mm | Declared by the brand |
| Machine depth | 259 mm | Declared by the brand |
| LED lights | 9 | Declared by the brand |
| Frame material | Aluminium | Declared by the brand |
| Stitch selection | Touchscreen | Declared by the brand |
| Maximum speed | 1300 spm | Declared by the brand |
| Built-in stitches | 450 | Declared by the brand |
| Buttonhole styles | 13 | Declared by the brand |
| Stitch types | Straight stitch, Zigzag stitch, Triple stretch straight stitch, Three-step zigzag, Blind hem stitch, Stretch blind hem stitch, Elastic overlock stitch | Declared by the brand |
| Maximum stitch width | 9 mm | Declared by the brand |
| Maximum stitch length | 5 mm | Declared by the brand |
| Needle positions | 91 | Declared by the brand |
| Space to the right of the needle | 343 mm | Declared by the brand |
| Arm workspace height | 140 mm | Declared by the brand |
| Feed dog pieces | 7 | Declared by the brand |
| Dual feed / walking foot system | Walking foot included | Declared by the brand |
| Needle threader | Built-in | Declared by the brand |
| Automatic thread cutter | Yes | Declared by the brand |
| Knee lifter | Yes | Declared by the brand |
| Automatic presser foot lifter | Yes | Declared by the brand |
| Adjustable presser foot pressure | Yes | Declared by the brand |
| Display | Colour touchscreen | Declared by the brand |
| Display size | 7 in | Declared by the brand |
| Independent bobbin winder | Yes | Declared by the brand |
| Thread sensors | Bobbin, Upper thread | Declared by the brand |
| Connectivity | USB | Declared by the brand |
Chosen by the declared use tier and footprint, not by price: we don't publish prices.
Simpler, entry level
Same tier, different manufacturer
