Janome Continental M17 Reaction /Review 

I bought the M 17 for $23,000. My dealer did however throw in a new table, a chair,, all the carrying luggage everything that comes with the machine. I had to have a new table because my old table was for the 15,000 and that would not accommodate the M 17. The machine sat in my sewing studio for almost a month because I was so intimidated by it. And this was after I sewed it on it at the store almost daily. Just something about it being there, so huge in my studio was overwhelming. However, now we are getting to know each other and I love it! I did pay a lot of money for it but I have been in the market for a long arm machine for a long time and I no longer think I need a long arm. The M17 does beautiful very precise quilting! Now I just have to learn to use the Artistic software for the machine as Digitizer MBX isn’t supported for the M 17. Oh! I did get the Artistic Junior with the machine also. So working on learning that now! So much for my old brain to acclimate. LOL!

i'm not even a quilter or embroiderer (eventhough that will be my next step, i just got back into sewing. i have not sewn since high school and i'm 63 years old! lol!) but, that M7 is killer sick cool! love it. seen several videos on it and she is an amazing beast! i'm not ready to play with you big girls yet but i will continue to watch you and enjoy your fabulous videos and eat my popcorn and work on my measly Singer 4411 in my sewing corner and dream of one day playing with you big girls! happy creating! (i design and create canvas tote bags and make up pouches. (CHASSIEDOT CREATIONS)

So many electronics. My humble Horizon MC14000 is going in for its third tour of the Janome factory in a year and a half! Gun shy for this M17...if I even could afford it!

I love your videos remember men sew with machines to. I’m just saying

I love my M7 for all my sewing and my Babylock Destiny II for embroidery. Of course, I'd love to have the newest and shiniest machine but unless I'm willing to plunk down the cost in all cash (no credit) I can't afford it. When you think about it, I could buy a really nice car for that price. If I ever need to replace the Destiny, I would look into a multi-needle embroidery machine.

Great information thanks. And will be buying the M7😂

I'm so excited to discover your channel! I quilt, embroider, sew garments, cross-stitch, make cards, and scrapbook. It's encouraging to see you out there sharing and doing your thing! I was awe-struck by the machines. But I simply don't have the room or the funds for PFAFF Icon and/or the M17! They're beautiful to watch in action though! My husband says I have enough machines anyways - LOL!

I appreciate your review! I'm looking at the Bernina 790 Pro and Janome M17. My dealer here is offering them for about $10k with a trade in. I've been a Bernina girl for years, but it really does look like the Janome is a better dea!

Great video and information. I own a continental M7, which I got not too long ago from a dealer 35 miles from my location. They quoted me the lowest price I had heard from dealers in my area. So I got it. Prior to the M7, I sewed on a Skyline S7, another great and very reliable Janome machine. But the M7 has all that I can possibly need for the type of sewing I do (garment-making, purses/bags, quilting, home dec. etc.) Early in 2020 before the shutdown, my hubby gave me a MC550E Janome embroidery machine. It has been the best set up for me ever. I can sew. And I can embroider. The two machines work well for all my sewing projects. I have quilted a 54X54 baby quilt using the MC550E and though I was totally new to the many hoopings, the quilt came out great. I did get a 8x12 magnetic hoop which does save hooping time. I hope to get faster at hooping though! The M7 is truly a workhorse and a beautiful machine. I think I am set for years to come. The only thing I might do down the road (4 or 5 years from now) is consider a multi needle embroidery machine. But it will depend on the types of projects I end up doing. I was a Bernina girl. I owned a mechanical Bernina machine that was great and took me all though fashion design school, and only replaced it after close to 27 years of having it. I replaced it with the Janome Skyline S7. I fell in love with the Janome line after that. The Janome machines are great value for the $. However, paying $22K or $25K or even $15k is not justifiable for me personally. The M17 is beautiful and the stitch regulator is awesome, but I think it's too expensive. My current set up of the M7 and the embroidery 550E machines totaled under $8,000 and both machines were brand new when I got them. Besides these two machines, I still own the S7, and I also have Janome serger which also converts to cover stitch function, and I own a Singer zigzag machine (vintage) manufactured in 1958. She is a beauty and makes a great straight stitch. I am set.

SHE TALKS AND SHE DOES BEADS TOO? OHMYGAWWD! AMAZING!!!!!!

Dealers mark up the machines about 30 to 33%. On average. The manufacturer won't allow them to sell below a certain price until the new model comes out. I have friends😉. Do you love the M7? I wanted and still the qm 15000. I haven't been able to get 1. Now it's so old, only used models. I like the idea of the regulator, but this might be too much of a machine. I will spend no less than a hour testing each of the bigger machines to see if I like it. I will say the pfaff icon 1 did not have the best reviews when I was looking.

You might have 4 subscribers now but I don’t think that will last you long. Glad I found your channel.

I own a brand spanking new M17 and an Janome Gem as well as a Juki Serger and a Juki OVP sit down quilting machine. I traded my Janome 12000 for the M17 and am happy so far. Price was outrageous but the trade-in made it better.

I absolutely love my Janome 550E. I already had the Janome 15000 but wanted a stand alone embroidery machine. I was afraid I would regret it but it was actually one of the best moves I have made. I’ve also been considering trading in my 15000 for the M17 but right now I am still on the fence. Thanks for your video. I really enjoyed watching it.

Excellent video… I agree with you… I also own several Janome Machines, one of them being the most recent Janome 15,000 quilt maker it meets all my needs, so far…I also have a brother high end for Disney…. I agree with you on all the topics you discussed today. I would agree the stitch regulator is the most desirable feature for me. I have spoke to several dealers cash out the door, 13,000 -15,000. Still who can afford this upfront. I believe Brother and Babylock have more intuitiveness and sewing and embroidery features we would use. Great sewing products, quality is Janome, but like you I have more than one machine, (more than one tool in the shed to get the job done)so since I have more than one machine, the costs are too high to add this to my herd. L O L. You keep up these great videos I love your channel.

I purchased an M7 before Covid and also the 550e. I'm happy. I look at this machine and the price and think...I don't want to change machines at this time. I'll wait and see what they do in a couple of years....maybe. Separate machines are the way I like to do things. I've had a combination one before and it was wonderful, but when I was embroidering that's all I could do. Hope you get your dream embroidery machine.

Went to dealer today and had a chance to play on the M17. Since I already have the 15000 and the M7 I was specifically interested in how well the stitch regulator worked. For me it was perfection. I also like the bigger quilting hoop, which will mean less hopping if you are quilting on the machine. I am sold and have to have it. Unfortunately they are still waiting on their machines to come in so I will have to wait before I can really start to explore my new machine.

God love ya, I want a CM17, too. I’d sell my diamonds if I thought I could find the right buyer. Lol And I,too, studied the Pfaff creative Icon 2. Couldn’t sleep at night for thinking about it. Let’s Manifest, shall we? That’s about the only way I can get one of these…through the Universe. You’ve given me some practical food for thought, though, and I thank you, plus I enjoyed listening to you. Welp, time for another sleepless night! ❤️

I’m with you- I love Janome machines. I have the MC6650 (I went back and forth with the HD9) for just sewing and the Skyline S9 with embroidery. I LOVE both my machines! The M17 is incredible but when I saw you show the Pfaf icon2 - well, it’s wild!!! Just so much to choose from. But you’re right- for $20k you can get 5 or 10 needle AND a Janome Air Thread serger!!!! Just have to do our homework before you decide on any machine.

I’m a first time viewer. I happened upon your video this afternoon, and I was very interested in listening to your perspective. It was right on the mark. I’ve had a couple different brands of machines. Several years ago I switched to Brother because of Disney. Last year I bought a Luminaire 2, and I just love it. Still have a lot to learn, but I’ve been busy piecing and embroidering. I did have a Brother 10 needle, which I loved. Traded it because I could no longer move the bugger to take it for servicing. Good luck picking the right machine for you.

That’s beautiful. I want one of everything too!! Every brand and every model. People like us probably need to become sewing machine dealers.

Hello, another great video with interesting content! I had a busy day in my sewing room but now I get to sit and hand quilt while I watch! I hope you have a lovely week ahead! Thank you or sharing your time, talent and expertise!

I’ve decided to take the plunge and purchase a m17 for edge-to-edge quilting and embroidery. Currently have the hd9 and mc12000. I’m hoping to trade in mc12000 towards m17 to lower the price.

I was at an expo last weekend and I could get floor model M17 for $11999!! No trade in!! I passed on it for some dumb reason and could kick myself! I have 1600P. Among other machines ….. love it and love you and your channel

I use a lot of fancy stitches also so IN THAT respect I love my M7…You bring up a very valid point about moving the machine and Service…etc…You are so right on it GIRLFRIEND…THANK YOU FOR A REALLY GOOD OVERVIEW …Sincerely Carmen Balko

I wish Janome would have made two standalone machines. One for sewing only and one for embroidery only. I would be all in if they did.

Just found your channel and subscribed. I love what you’re doing! I learned to machine embroider on a Janome-made Kenmore. Then I bought a Used Janome 350e to get a 5x7 hoop. I was definitely a Janome girl! I also prefer separate machines. My last two Janome machines were actually Elna (but made by Janome and both floor models). The Elna twin of the Janome 9400 (I’m very happy with that machine!) And the Elna twin of the Janome 500e (I never bonded with that machine). I finally gave up on it when doing ITH projects and realizing that I couldn’t change the presser foot height. I sold it and bought a floor model Brother Stellaire xe1. I love this machine! It has so many options and is such a step up from the Janome 500e/550e. I’ll probably never go back to Janome for embroidery. Brother is just further ahead in technology. If you notice, I never buy new - I’m too frugal. So many people buy these machines and don’t use them! And store floor models have given me a good value. Used by people who usually know what they are doing, and used enough to find any issues. Built-in software is ok, but there are good software programs, not sold by dealers, that are powerful. Embrilliance, Hatch, Embird. All have Facebook user groups and online training available. If someone has multiple embroidery machines, they probably want a standalone embroidery software package. Other than the hoop size, I don’t see anything extraordinary in the M17 embroidery side. No scanner, camera, or app to “see” the hoop. It has a laser - Brother has had that for years. If they offered the sewing side only, I’d covet that machine, but not as a combo. For now, I’m content with what I have! You’ll love the Stellaire xe1!

I love your channel. Thanks so much for this review. You are so down to earth. You will get your embroidery machine, no doubt. 🤗💜

The thing I really love about the Janome MC12000, the embroidery unit is in the back of the machine, not on the side. This is great for in-the-hoop quilting. Plus, I never have to remove the embroidery unit. Even with the table, the unit is in place on the machine.

Nice video, and as always, your comments have a lot of sense!!!!! 10,000 USD for the M7- a fantastic machine itself- and then a residual of 15,000 USD is not a deal IMHO. The dealer here in Houston is selling it for 16,999.00 USD without no trade-in, and with an M7 3000.00USD trade-in, the M 17 would actually be 14000.00 USD and same payment terms!!!!! Dealers have a lot of pricing space depending on their selling volume and location, but that can change too!!!. Another point is this: For large embroidery area, a friend of mine who has an Embroidery business told me that the most versatile hoops are the square hoops, not the rectangular ones. They are easier to manipulate the designs because you can put the design in any orientation you want, you can not do that with rectangular hoops, and that is important for embroidering the back of jackets. So I am mostly inclined to get the PFAFF Creative Icon 2 that has a 360mm x 350mm hoop AND the Extra Accessory -Special Embellishment Attachment for cording, beading and ribbons that the Janome M 17 doesn't have, and is about 4000.00 USD less than the Janome. And that Janome M 17 is like you say- HEAVY!!!!! About 45-50 pounds for the machine, and about 70 lbs with the embroidery attachment. It needs a table just for itself!!!!! But Janome is an excellent brand. I have never seen Janome machines totally broken, they are tough like crazy!!!! So no need to worry about servicing an M 17!!!! But still for less than that price, you can get a SWF 10-needle Embroidery machine that is way more versatile for a multi-color project than the M 17 or the PFAFF. But I need that Bead-Ribbon-Cording attachment, I have seen it in person at the dealership and it is awesome!!!!!! But you really have some pretty fantastic Sewing and Embroidery Machines in the market from almost every brand!!!!! !!!!! Last but not least. I have Embrilliance Essentials. That software is economical- I paid 139.00 USD from the website and downloaded it to my computer, and can manipulate any Embroidery format, including PES, DST and JEF. I would tell you to buy a real commercial embroidery machine with 10 or more needles, like the SWF MAS-10 or -15, the Happy, the Avance, or the Melco, that are 24/7/365 working machines, and also to buy the Brother PE550D with Disney Designs for about 500.00 USD. Then manipulate the Disney designs with Embrilliance, Convert them from Brother's PES format to DST format and send the designs to the Multi-needle machine using the USB memory sticks. I do not recommend the Brother multi-needle because is slow compared to the other ones I mentioned here, although it is very easy to use. But is more expensive, comes with less basic accessories, and is slower when changing colors automatically. But you can do that, it is what I am doing right now and I got a used BAI 15-needle embroidery machine for about 4500.00 USD total including software and lots of goodies and so far the machine is not broken or have issues, and has two sets of hoops with an embroidery area of 20in x 15 in. I hope these ideas help you, like yours are helping me. And you can still have your Janome machines!!!!! In my case, I have a JUKI HCL-f300 for regular sewing, two Janome, an MC-9500 and MC 300E for simple embroidery items, a Brother PE 525D, the BAI Mirror 15 needle and a Bernina B830 for special sewing stuff. a dedicated ASUS Laptop with 16 GB of RAM, 1 TB SSD and an external 2 TB SSD for back-ups, with Intel Core i7 chip running Windows 10, Embroidery Essentials and Thumbnail to see the embroidery designs from any brand, and I have not spend 11000 USD total for all that equipment, and feel happy with it!!!! Thanks again for your great videos and comments and God bless you!!!!!!

I am going to go and check it out.

Love your t-shirt!

Your are very right. Price is not worth it

At the price for these multi-purpose machines, I think it’s better to buy an embroidery only machine to go with your sewing machine. I rarely use the largest hoop that came with my Janome mc12000, so the large hoop is not a game changer for me. The machine I use most is my Janome HD9. I purchased it after seeing your video on it. The HD9 is my favorite machine. 💕

That’s a great size for embroidering on borders.

You are so spot on! I’m thinking yes to stitch regulation especially with ruler foot. But why can’t I get that with M7. That’s a different market for quilters than an 18.1” embroidery hoop machine!

Waiting with bated breath on your M7 review. I have the 15000 and 6600 (+5 more) and am looking at either the HD9 or M7. Based on what you said about the HD9 being your main machine I'm leaning in that direction but would LOVE to hear your thoughts on the M7. Your insights on these machines is so thorough and highly entertaining! Love it!!! Much success to you! ❤️🌟

I have the Janome MC12000 and love it. However, I will be getting the Pfaff Icon2 over the Janome because of the projector feature. I have an old Pfaff sewing machine and it’s a great machine. Great brand.

I have a Huskvarna Viking embroidery machine (Topaz 40), which I use mainly for embroidery and specialty materials, but I keep a $99 Brother for my straight stitching quilts together :)

I got the Janome 500E for embroidery and it's a perfectly capable single-needle machine with good hoop sizes included. I got it for $1,500 as a store floor model. There's a strong argument to having a standalone embroidery machine if that's what you want. I also have the M7 multi needle embroidery machine, and for lots of colors it's great. BUT if you only occasionally want to embroider something, don't pay a fortune for a machine. And OH BTW, you really can't stitch with a single needle machine at the top speed of 1200 spm. It's more realistic to go ~800 spm when embroidering with a single needle machine. And what you said about pricing? If you walk into the local store and a machine is 50% off, that tells you what the markup is like. If they can sell it for 50% off and still make money (and you know they are!), then you know what the machine should really go for.

Would love to hear your m7 review!

I don’t think the functions on the machine are worth the price tag, there not ground breaking. I don’t know if I like combination machines. I think it is a lot more practical to have 2 separate machines so you can embroider and sew at the same time. But man o man I do like looking at the high end machines😅😂 Loved your take on it as always😘

Wow you would probably need 1yr of classes to use this dang beast. You need to have a serious business to recover from the investment of this machine. I owed a embroidery machine for over 25yrs and I never used all the 500+ stitches. You would have to increase your home insurance if you buy this machine. Good Luck and thanks for the JanomeHD9 review. I will soon be an owner of that machine really soon. Contact Janome maybe they can hook you up with a great deal so you can be an spokesperson for Janome.

Hi there. The only Janome I have is the purple thunder, which I use for sewing scrap blocks together. I love it but it's loud and slow. All of my other machines and serger are Brother. I have the PE770 single needle embroidery machine, which I love. I bought it used. I personally do not recommend getting a combination sewing/embroidery machine (however, that M17 hoop is HUGE!!!) unless, like you said, you have another machine you can use for sewing while doing the embroidery on the other. I recently saw that Pfaff machine in my sewing store. Love the color not the price. The store also had a M7, which I was told was Janome's top of the line until the M17 made its debut. Hope you find an embroidery machine. Thanks for the review. Rochelle

I am so looking forward to seeing You do a demo on the ….carmen Balko

I just purchased the M17. I already have the Brother Luminaire. Really love my Brother because it is so user friendly. The M17 is not. I have been watching RU-vid for anything I can find on the M17. Will be taking classes as soon as the educators are educated! I am sure it will be easier the more I use it. It does embroider beautifully (so does my Brother). What I don’t like is that the M17 does not have a screen that shows what section of the design you are embroidering and the estimated time that section will take. For the price, it should have a camera. I haven’t seen the benefit to the apps yet, but I am sure I will as I continue to use the machine. As I am playing with it, I am comparing the differences between the Luminaire and M17. I do love my Disney designs though. It is expensive, but you can tell the quality while it is embroidering. It is very steady and smooth while embroidering. Right now I prefer embroidering on my Luminaire. I really enjoyed your video and honesty. Will be watching more by you.

I have a 10 needle for embroidery but I would like this because the multi-needles are limited on depth size. To do something like an 11*18 design on something like the back of a jacket or a table cloth, I have to split and flip the design then line it up again. I'm looking at this for quilting because I don't have room for a full long arm setup but can probably fit this one in my room.

I just went to a sewing store the other day and saw the Creative Icon 2 in REAL LIFE! OMG it was incredible. The temptation is real (obviously I'm not really paying attention to the size of the price tag) even though I probably wouldn't be able to use half the functions. How do you put yourself off crazy considerations?! In more realistic terms I'm looking at the Juki 4000QVP although I was dreaming about the Janome Continental M7 for a hot minute... ?! Not sure, even after watching allllll the videos for each of the machines (and the Creative Icon).

Thank you for the information. I’m in the market for a embroidery machine and I think I’ve made the decision to get a 10 needed from brother. I use my scanncut. So it just makes since to stay with brother. I just retired and I’m looking to expand my tee shirt business.

M17 is still a flatbed embroidery machine. There is a Canadian guy whom had continuous problems with Janome flagship mc15000, and got rid of it after Janome could not fix it without something else stop working with the timing in machine. I am still thinking of a Berlin's because its like sewing on the arm of an upright embroidery machine. Meaning its cheaper to buy ready made clothing to embroider onto because the flatbed has an open bed to slip the excess material under the bobbin case while embroidering, like an upright embroidery machine would be. I was disappointed that all the M17, is simply a bigger flatbed. The Canadians advice was to wait about a year to see if problems are reported by customers. The Canadian is still happy with their Janome M7. You have a great point about the price of this machine and the huge size. You could have several machines for less than $25,000, like an automated long arm (sees by itself without you having to move the arm while you do something else) , a ten needle upright embroidery machine and other industrial or semi-industrial machines that can sew two thousand to five thousand stitches per minute totaling less than $25,000. The M7 and M17 has a DC motor. Most of the Bernina sewing machines and servers have had DC motors for several years. DC motors give maximum torque at low through high sewing speeds. Bernina has their BSR stitch regulator for years and built in walking foot. Janome is now just catching up with this being late to the game. Other sewing machines like the Junki 4000 sewing machine can switch out the 7mm box feed teeth that push fabric forward to a 5mm or 4mm to sew like a Juki TL2000, straight stitch only machine. Good luck on shopping and strategizing to have the ability to do it all.

There is a lot of wiggle room in price. There is a sewing machine store I go to, can sell it for $15,000 in NJ and still make a profit. The Janome 1500 (used) can be bought for about $4000 - $5000. The Brother Luminaire XP with Disney, items made with Disney character cannot be sold as per written policy that comes with the machine. Hope that is helpful for you.

Here in australia at a craft show in Townsville 16000 Australian probably 12000 us told wife get it we have vintage singer juki industrial looks a good proposition at the moment loved your vid

I just bought a used Juki Kirei JUST to get the 12 inch to right of needle real estate. 25k For a machine. It better make dinner and clean the house.

Here’s how I feel. If you really want to embroider buy a machine that does only that. For quilting and for most of us who just piece get a simple single stitch like a Juki etc. you can get both machine way way cheaper than these big mega machines. PS. I have 2 big machines. The Epic 2 and Epic 1. I started as an embroidery lover and never did quilting. Now I do both and really don’t want these mega machine. The 10 needle is great for embroidery but it also has a big footprint. And don’t forget maintenance and future repairs. These mega machines have their money invested in the software. They seem to have issues with the bits of hardware that randomly fall out and general servicing. Go on user groups and see for yourself. Maybe it’s that way for the 20 needles too. Don’t know.

Have you considered a Brother Dream Machine 2? Yes, it’s an older model but the Stellaire is really just a souped up Dream Machine. The difference is you have to use an app with the Stellaire whereas the Dream Machine has a camera built in. Plus you can get the Dream Machine for a killer price over the Stellaire. Just my thoughts.

I am a janome lover as well. I considered for a hot second the pfaff icon 2, but I had nightmares about the $10K creative sensation paper weight (kept getting machine needs to rest after stitching for about 2 to 3 minutes). I have the 15000, m7, hd9, and the 550e. I was disappointed at the msrp for the m17, but my dealer will giving me a price that makes it hard to pass up (with trade of the 15000) - I need to test before I decide. What I didn't hear you discuss is the NEW M7 that is coming out (saw it in one of the video's but can't remember who showed it). I am suspecting that it will have the stitch regulator but I don't know and I can't find out anymore info about it.

should this be considered a commercial machine? It doesnt look like it can be used for hats, have you used it for hats and curved items? How does it rival the Ricoma machines in the cheaper $15k range?

At my dealer here in Canada they have a price of $19,999.00 for the M17. That seems cheaper than other prices I have seen.

25.000$?? It costs half of that in Germany

This will be going for 15K or less. I'd love to have it, but like you, I'd rather have a multi needle. If I could trade in my husband, I'd have one already.

It's 44.2 lbs. So basically, a bag of 50 lb dog food. Oy

I’ve seen this M17 today and fell in love with it, thought of selling one on my grandkids. HaHa