A.S.R. Accurate Stitch Regulator
The included stitch regulation system helps maintain a more consistent stitch length while you move the fabric during free-motion quilting and ruler work.
Janome Continental M8 - Professional Quilting & Sewing Machine
$8,875.00
$10,999.00
Premium computerised sewing and quilting machine
Janome Continental M8 Professional
Experience the space, control and precision serious quilting deserves. The Janome Continental M8 Professional combines an enormous 343mm workspace, A.S.R. Accurate Stitch Regulation, AcuFeed Flex, professional HP piecing technology and intelligent on-screen guidance in one beautifully engineered machine.
343mm
space right of needle
1,300
stitches per minute
450
built-in stitches
7-inch
colour touchscreen
Hi-definition quilting and sewing
A premium machine built around the way serious makers sew
The Continental M8 Professional is designed for quilters, garment makers and creative sewists who want professional-level control without moving away from the versatility of a computerised household sewing machine.
Its sturdy seamless metal flat-bed provides an uninterrupted work surface, with 343mm of space to the right of the needle and 140mm of workspace height. Large quilts, bulky projects and long fabric sections can be positioned and guided with considerably more freedom.
The M8 is not simply about size. It combines Janome’s A.S.R. Accurate Stitch Regulator, AcuFeed Flex layered fabric feeding, professional HP piecing system, electronic automatic tension, automatic pivoting and a 7-inch colour touchscreen to help produce accurate, repeatable results.
Powerful technology made practical
343mm quilting workspace
An exceptionally spacious area to the right of the needle gives quilts, bags, garments and home décor projects room to move.
AcuFeed Flex feeding
Janome’s integrated upper-feed system helps guide fabric from above and below for improved control over layers, quilting, plaids and difficult fabrics.
Professional HP system
The narrow HP foot, HP needle plate and HP2 AcuFeed foot provide excellent visibility and control for accurate piecing, curves and topstitching.
Up to 1,300 stitches per minute
High-speed performance makes long seams and larger projects more efficient, while the speed slider allows precise control for detailed work.
Automatic one-touch needle plates
Change between the zigzag, straight stitch and professional HP plates using an on-screen command, without reaching for a screwdriver.
Optical bobbin monitoring
The machine continuously monitors the bobbin thread supply and warns you when it is running low, helping prevent incomplete seams.
Independent bobbin winding
Wind a new bobbin using the separate bobbin motor while the machine remains set up for sewing.
A major advantage for quilters
A.S.R. helps create more consistent free-motion quilting
Free-motion quilting normally requires you to coordinate your hand movement with the sewing speed. Janome’s A.S.R. Accurate Stitch Regulator senses the movement of the fabric and regulates the machine to help maintain a more consistent stitch length.
Sensor sensitivity can be adjusted as your skills and preferred quilting style develop. The complete A.S.R. system is supplied with four specialist feet and its own Janome accessory case.
- ASR-QC closed-toe foot
- ASR-QO open-toe foot
- ASR-QV clear-view foot
- ASR-QR ruler work foot
Space without compromise
A huge, uninterrupted sewing field
With 343mm of space to the right of the needle, 140mm of workspace height and approximately 80mm of clearance above the needle plate, the M8 gives you the capacity to manage large quilts and layered projects comfortably.
Its streamlined profile improves your view across the sewing field, while nine bright white LED lights positioned across four locations illuminate the needle and work area.
The included extra-wide extension table adds further support and features a practical built-in drawer for keeping frequently used feet and accessories within reach.
- 343mm width right of needle
- 140mm workspace height
- Seamless metal flat-bed
- Nine LED lights
- Four lighting locations
- Extension table with drawer
Precision fabric feeding
AcuFeed Flex and HP2 work with your layers
AcuFeed Flex helps feed the upper and lower fabric layers together, reducing unwanted shifting when quilting, matching prints, sewing long seams or working with multiple layers.
For high-precision piecing, the professional HP needle plate and narrow HP foot provide a clear view of the needle and fabric edge. The included HP2 AcuFeed foot combines the narrow professional profile with controlled upper feeding.
Quilt piecing
Maintain accurate seam allowances and clean fabric starts.
Matching patterns
Help keep checks, stripes and fabric layers correctly aligned.
Topstitching
Gain excellent visibility when following edges and curves.
A machine that helps you choose the right settings
The large 7-inch colour LCD touchscreen makes the M8’s extensive capabilities approachable, placing stitches, settings, applications and machine guidance directly in front of you.
Sewing Applications
Select the technique you want to complete and the machine recommends the stitch, settings and presser foot required.
AcuSpark2 support
Scan the QR code displayed on the machine screen using the free AcuSpark2 app for information, instructions and supporting videos.
Favourite stitch settings
Adjust suitable stitches and buttonholes, then save your preferred settings for faster access during future projects.
Quilt Block Advisor
Enter the required block size and number of sections to receive guidance for accurate patchwork dimensions.
More than a quilting machine
450 stitches with room to personalise
The Continental M8 Professional includes 450 built-in stitches, five alphabets and 13 buttonhole styles, providing an extensive selection for garment construction, quilting, appliqué, heirloom sewing and decorative work.
Stitch width can be adjusted up to 9mm, with 91 available needle positions for fine placement control. Stitch combinations can be edited and stored using the machine’s built-in memory or transferred through the USB port.
- 450 built-in stitches
- Five built-in alphabets
- 13 buttonholes
- Maximum 9mm stitch width
- Maximum 5mm stitch length
- 91 needle positions
- Stitch tapering
- Mirage stitches
Specialised modes expand what you can create
Floating Mode
Reduces full presser-foot pressure while feeding, helping protect delicate, textured or high-pile fabrics and improving movement across thick seam intersections.
Variable Zigzag
Control zigzag width using the knee lifter for expressive free-motion quilting, thread painting, raw-edge appliqué and monogramming.
Ruler Work Mode
Use the supplied ruler work feet with suitable quilting rulers to create controlled lines, curves and repeatable quilting shapes.
Stitch Tapering
Create decorative points and angled stitch effects with adjustable tapering angles on compatible built-in stitches.
Mirage Stitches
Create the appearance of separated satin-stitch motifs by controlling the connecting stitches between decorative elements.
Stitch Composer
Create original stitch patterns on a compatible Windows computer and transfer them to the machine through USB.
Convenience features that become essential
Automatic pivot
The presser foot can lift automatically with the needle lowered for easy cornering and repositioning.
Automatic thread cutter
Cut the upper and bobbin threads at the touch of a button or with the supplied remote cutter switch.
Needle thumbwheel
Raise or lower the needle from the machine head without reaching around to the main handwheel.
Superior Needle Threader 2
Thread the needle quickly using Janome’s refined one-handed needle-threading system.
Electronic tension
The machine automatically manages upper-thread tension, with manual adjustment available when required.
Adjustable knee lifter
Raise the presser foot or control Variable Zigzag while keeping both hands on your project.
Engineered for precision from every angle
Made for ambitious sewing and quilting
Quilt piecing
Free-motion quilting
Ruler work
Garment construction
Decorative stitching
Thread painting
Appliqué
Bag making
Home décor
Creative sewing studios
Important to know before purchasing
The Continental M8 Professional is a premium flat-bed household sewing and quilting machine. It does not have a removable free arm and it does not perform machine embroidery.
Although it provides excellent power, feeding and needle penetration for a domestic machine, it is not a compound-feed industrial walking-foot machine. Speak with our team if your work involves consistently sewing extremely heavy or dense materials.
Janome Continental M8 Professional demonstration
Explore the machine’s spacious work area, touchscreen controls, quilting capabilities and included features in this Janome demonstration.
26 specialist sewing and quilting feet included
The New Zealand and Australian package includes a comprehensive selection of standard, quilting, AcuFeed, professional HP and A.S.R. feet.
View all supplied sewing and quilting feet
- Zigzag Foot A
- Rolled Hem Foot D, 3mm
- Zipper Foot E
- Satin Stitch Foot F
- Open-Toe Satin Stitch Foot F2
- Blind Hemming Foot G
- Professional Grade Foot HP
- Quilting Bar L
- Overedge Foot M
- 1/4-inch Seam Foot O with guide
- 1/4-inch Seam Foot O without guide
- Darning Foot PD-H
- Open-Toe Darning Foot PD-H
- Free-Motion Closed-Toe Foot QC
- Free-Motion Open-Toe Foot QO
- Free-Motion Zigzag Foot QV
- Variable Zigzag Foot QZ
- Ruler Work Foot QR
- ASR-QC Closed-Toe Foot
- ASR-QO Open-Toe Foot
- ASR-QV Clear-View Foot
- ASR-QR Ruler Work Foot
- Automatic Buttonhole Foot R
- Button Sewing Foot T
- AcuFeed Foot AD with twin holder
- AcuFeed Flex Professional Grade Foot HP2
Everything supplied with your Continental M8 Professional
Needle plates, controls and major accessories
- 9mm zigzag needle plate, fitted to machine
- Straight stitch needle plate
- Professional grade HP needle plate
- A.S.R. USB cable
- A.S.R. Janome accessory case
- Janome resin accessory box
- Extra-wide extension table with storage drawer
- Large foot controller
- Remote thread cutter switch
- Adjustable knee lifter
- Metal cloth guide
- Buttonhole stabiliser plate
- Touchscreen stylus
- Semi-hard fabric machine cover
Bobbins, needles and general accessories
- Five Janome plastic bobbins, including one fitted in the machine
- Needle set
- Additional spool pin
- Large spool holders x 2
- Small spool holders x 2
- Special spool holders x 2
- Button shank plate
- Screwdriver
- Lint brush
- Seam ripper
- Threading guide sticker
- Power cable
- USB cable
- Instruction book
Included digital resources
- Instructional video download
- Stitch Composer software download for compatible Windows computers
- Quilt Block Advisor
- Screen Saver Tool
- AcuSpark2 app support for compatible phones and tablets
Janome Continental M8 Professional specifications
| Machine type | Premium computerised flat-bed sewing and quilting machine |
|---|---|
| Maximum sewing speed | Up to 1,300 stitches per minute |
| Workspace | 343mm wide x 140mm high to the right of the needle |
| Built-in stitches | 450 |
| Built-in alphabets | 5 |
| Buttonholes | 13 |
| Maximum stitch width | 9mm |
| Maximum stitch length | 5mm |
| Needle positions | 91 |
| Machine screen | 7-inch colour LCD touchscreen |
| Stitch regulator | A.S.R. Accurate Stitch Regulator and four A.S.R. feet included |
| Upper-feed system | AcuFeed Flex electronic layered fabric feeding system, twin and HP2 included |
| Feed dogs | Seven-piece feed dog system with on-screen drop feed |
| Hook type | Top-loading full rotary hook bobbin |
| Bobbin monitoring | Optical constant bobbin thread monitoring |
| Bobbin winding | Independent bobbin winding motor |
| Thread tension | Electronic automatic tension with on-screen adjustment |
| Presser-foot pressure | Electronic automatic control |
| Presser-foot lift | Automatic lift with pivot function |
| Needle threader | Superior Needle Threader 2 |
| Needle up or down | Memorised needle stop position plus machine-head thumbwheel |
| Needle plates | Zigzag, straight stitch and professional HP plates included |
| Needle plate changing | Automatic on-screen one-touch release and installation system |
| Lighting | Nine bright white LED lights across four locations |
| USB | One USB port |
| Built-in memory | Up to approximately 3MB |
| Standard feet | 26 |
| Extension table | Extra-wide table with accessory drawer included |
| Free arm | No, this is a dedicated flat-bed model |
| Machine dimensions | 650mm wide x 371mm high x 259mm deep |
| Machine weight | 17.4kg |
| Machine cover | Semi-hard fabric cover included |
Popular optional accessories
A wide selection of specialist Janome feet, magnifiers, guides and quilting accessories is available for the Continental M8 Professional.
Popular quilting and AcuFeed accessories
| Part number | Accessory |
|---|---|
| 202125004 | AcuFeed 1/4-Inch Quilt Piecing Foot OD, twin |
| 202103006 | AcuFeed Ditch Quilting Foot SD, twin |
| 202149004 | AcuFeed Open-Toe Foot UD, twin |
| 202102005 | AcuFeed Straight Stitch Foot STD, twin |
| 859835101 | AcuFeed Foot VD, single |
| 859833006 | AcuFeed Holder, single |
| 859838001 | AcuFeed Zipper Foot ED, single |
| 202110006 | Free-Motion Couching Foot Set FMC |
| 202089005 | Clear View Quilting Foot and Guide Set OV |
| 202211008 | Quilt Binder Set W1 |
Popular garment and creative sewing accessories
| Part number | Accessory |
|---|---|
| 202086002 | Appliqué Foot AP |
| 202097006 | Beading Foot L1, narrow groove |
| 202098007 | Beading Foot L2, wide groove |
| 202099008 | Binder Foot W |
| 202135007 | Circular Sewing Attachment |
| 202506003 | Nine-Hole Cording Foot H2 |
| 202418007 | Heavy-Duty Roller Foot |
| 202095004 | Ruffler RF |
| 202091000 | Ultra Glide Foot U |
| 202431006 | Ultra Glide Needle Plate and Foot Set |
Learn more about the Continental M8 Professional
Instruction Manual
Read the complete 160-page operating guide covering setup, sewing, quilting, A.S.R., maintenance and troubleshooting.
NZ and AU Brochure
View the official regional brochure with specifications, included accessories and key feature explanations.
Feature Sheet
Review a concise overview of the M8’s quilting, sewing, touchscreen and engineering features.
Official Product Information
View Janome Australia and New Zealand’s official machine information, accessories and specifications.
Janome Continental M8 Professional FAQ
What is A.S.R. Accurate Stitch Regulation?
A.S.R. senses the movement of your fabric during free-motion quilting and regulates the sewing speed to help maintain a more consistent stitch length. The M8 includes the A.S.R. unit, connecting cable, four feet and a dedicated accessory case.
Is the A.S.R. system included with the M8?
Yes. The Continental M8 Professional includes the A.S.R. unit, closed-toe, open-toe, clear-view and ruler-work feet, connecting cable and Janome storage case.
Is the Continental M8 suitable for large quilts?
Yes. It provides 343mm of workspace to the right of the needle, 140mm of height, a seamless flat-bed design and an included extra-wide extension table.
Does the M8 include AcuFeed Flex?
Yes. The twin AcuFeed foot and holder are included, together with the professional HP2 AcuFeed foot for accurate narrow-gauge sewing and piecing.
Can the M8 sew garments as well as quilts?
Yes. The M8 includes construction, stretch, overcasting, hemming, zipper, buttonhole and decorative stitches, together with garment-sewing feet and on-screen Sewing Applications.
Does the M8 have a free arm?
No. The Continental M8 Professional is a dedicated flat-bed machine. Its design prioritises a large, stable and uninterrupted work surface.
Does the Continental M8 perform embroidery?
No. The M8 is a premium sewing and quilting machine. It does not connect to an embroidery unit or sew imported embroidery designs.
How fast does the M8 sew?
The M8 can sew at up to 1,300 stitches per minute. The speed control slider can be used to reduce the maximum speed for detailed or intricate work.
How are the needle plates changed?
Select the needle-plate function on the touchscreen and the machine electronically releases the plate. Position the replacement plate and the M8 automatically secures it into place.
What software is included?
Machine owners receive access to Stitch Composer for creating original stitches on a compatible Windows computer, together with Quilt Block Advisor, Screen Saver Tool and instructional resources.
Buy from New Zealand sewing specialists
Premium technology deserves knowledgeable support
Direct Sewing has supplied sewing, quilting and embroidery equipment throughout New Zealand since 2001. Our experienced team can demonstrate the Continental M8 Professional, explain its advanced quilting systems and help you select the right accessories for the work you want to create.
When you are investing in a machine of this level, expert product knowledge, training and ongoing support make a real difference.