If you have a Pfaff or know about them...please comment.

I am looking to buy a Pfaff machine. I am looking at the Ambition, Expression and Passport lines. I like all things about them, but when it comes to reviews...users are the best place to get the facts!

If you have one of these machines or know anything about them...please comment. I'd also like to know price if you can...so I have some range to work with. I currently have a Singer Quantum and although I dont' hate it, it just has to many little irritating things it does or doesn't do and the main problem being it doesn't pull through when quilting...looks like short feed dogs or something like that. I have a 1985 Singer 2010 that is a gem for sewing...but doesn't FMQ very good. So I can have that for back up or for piece work and will trade in the Quantum if I can.

Anything you can share about your experience and knowledge of Pfaff machines in the $700-$900 price range..(and I don't need embroidery function/ability) I would greatly appreciate. I have a dealer near me but I want to hear from the users that aren't trying to sell me anything so I get FACTS! LOL! You know what I mean if you've ever bought! I am hoping to decide to maybe get a sale before christmas!

Thanks so much!

I bought the Pfaff 5.0 , in the Expressions series I think, last Christmas. I had a very good deal on it, had the clear extension table included, and a box of Gutterman threads also. I also had some classes included for free. I love my machine and the price was a little pricey, but I spoiled myself. Life is too short to worry about the small stuff.

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Originally Posted by Meghan Plamondon

I bought the Pfaff 5.0 , in the Expressions series I think, last Christmas. I had a very good deal on it, had the clear extension table included, and a box of Gutterman threads also. I also had some classes included for free. I love my machine and the price was a little pricey, but I spoiled myself. Life is too short to worry about the small stuff.

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Thanks Meghan. Yes, I am kind of like that now...this will be my last machine and I deserve something to last me 20 years! The Singer I bought 3 years ago...was only $400 and I think I got a lemon to boot, but it just frustrates me to no end!

I have the Sensation and the Passport. I love the Passport. It has IDT and takes most of the feet I have for the bigger machine. I used it to make a back pack and it went through four layers of Soft and Stable without a problem. Beautiful straight stitch and a few decorative. It has the needle down function but does not cut or show low bobbin. I bought it for my travel machine because it is light (12 lbs I think). It does have a small throat and I have not tried fmq on it. I did get the extension table which helps. I can recommend the Pfaff machines but would test them out and buy from a dealer who will support you.

I'm looking at Pfaff. At the store where I live the Expression 3.5 is $1500 and comes with a quilters toolkit (promotion for the month) which has an extension table, some extra feet, etc. As I've looked around the 4.2 is about $1800. At the dealer, the ambition (can't recall the number) was less, around $700, and was impressive to me. Didn't have as many stitches, but had many of the same features.

I have owned two of the older Pfaffs, my current model is the 2140 with the Embroidery unit. I love the IDT it goes thru most anything and has most the bells and whistles. Most of the newer Models that are used in my area run about 1500 to 2400 depending on the model. They are now made in China so it seems the review of the newer models had some issues but what I read and having talked with the dealers its a small percentage compared to what they sell. Lots of people trade in this time of year so its a good idea to go in and test drive several to get the feel of them.

I am a new sewer and have the Passport -and I really like it. The IDT is wonderful. Made a rag quilt earlier this year and it was no problem sewing through all the layers of flannel. This is my first machine so I don't have anything to compare it to. I think mine was around $699 if I remember right. It's great for taking to classes at my local quilt shop because it only weighs about 15 pounds.
I haven't tried to do any FMQ on it-but there is a special foot you can purchase that will allow you to do that.
Hope this info helps with your decision.

I have two Pfaffs - the Ambition 1.0 which is now my class and travel machine, and the Performance 5.0 which is permanently set up in my sewing area. I highly recommend Pfaff for those who enjoy quilting. The IDT (built in walking foot) is wonderful and makes sewing through quilt sandwiches a breeze. PLUS you can still use a 1/4" Quilting Foot at the same time as the IDT.

I paid $650 for the Ambition 1.0 during my dealers Super Bowl Sale (which I have since learned is their best sale of the year). I think the reg price is $799. I've seen it priced as low as $599 for used/reconditioned/classroom units. I would purchase from a dealer who should provide free machine usage classes and servicing.

The Ambition line is a great for beginner/intermediate sewer's - it offers a lot of bang for your buck. It has beautiful straight stitch, great lighting, intuitive layout, lots of stitches to choose from, needle up down, decent throat space, start/stop button (no pedal required), etc. Plus that IDT that I can't live without! I refused to trade it in when I upgraded to the Performane 5.0, which although I love, is more machine than I really need (still haven't used even half of what the P5.0 offers, plus 75% of what I do is straight stitch piecing!).

Like others have said, you can't go wrong with any Pfaff with IDT. Take in some quilt sandwiches, leather, sheer organza, vinyl, and other material you may be using and test drive the machines your dealer offers and see for yourself how well the IDT in the Pfaff machines work. You may be able to snag an awesome deal on trade - my dealer had so many trades, the machines were lined up in the hallway!

I have the quilt expression 4.0. I love my Pfaffs wouldn't own anything else. Idt is wonderful! The scissor function, the pivot all such great functions. It FMQ's great is user friendly. The low bobbin warning is so nice.
I f I went to classes I would definetly get a passport but I only sew home alone. Love my machine.

I have a Pfaff Ambition 1.0. It is a wonderful machine with the IDT. Also needle up/down. I have been using it for a couple of years and it does excellent piecing. It was about 600.00 or so. I have an old Pfaff 2056, but am thinking about selling it. It does not have a speed control and ability to sew without the foot pedal, though it is an excellent machine. I really want to get the Pfaff 5.0, which would hopefully be the last machine, as I am thinking at some time that I may need to retire. The 5.0 is pricey, compared to the Ambition. Really for what I do, which is mostly quilt piecing, the Ambition is a fantastic machine for the price. There are 2 other machines in Ambition line, one with less stuff, and I think the 2.0 has a few more things. But the 1.0 is a really great machine. In theory, I really don't need another machine.... Katie Z

I have the Ambition Essential and love it. It has some decorative stitches and needle down. It is great for what I do. Haven't tried much fmq with it yet - just some practice pieces and it seems to do fine. I paid around $700 for it a couple years ago.

I have test drove both the ambition and the expression. I really liked the idt. Unfortunately, I found that my big hands had trouble with the buttons on the machine. I also found that finding the buttons quickly was more difficult with the purple on purple machine. But, that is totally a user preference that you will only know by sitting at a machine.

I would recommend adding the babylock Aria to your test driving.

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Originally Posted by Altairss

I have owned two of the older Pfaffs, my current model is the 2140 with the Embroidery unit. I love the IDT it goes thru most anything and has most the bells and whistles. Most of the newer Models that are used in my area run about 1500 to 2400 depending on the model. They are now made in China so it seems the review of the newer models had some issues but what I read and having talked with the dealers its a small percentage compared to what they sell. Lots of people trade in this time of year so its a good idea to go in and test drive several to get the feel of them.

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As I talked about machines with my SIL she made a comment about Pfaff (and other brands) being made in China and wondered if the quality was there. I reminded her that her iPhone, computer, and most other appliances in her home were made in China. A company's quality control determines the quality, not necessarily its "made in..." label. My dealer said he still thinks Pfaff is a high quality product -- very few issues.

My MIL bought me a PFAFF 2036 way back in 2002, great machine, worked great for what I wanted it to do. When I got bigger into making quilts and wanted to start FMQing I upgraded to the Expression 3.2 last Jan it was on sale for $1200 (CDN) I love the hug throat space and I have made about 10 quilts this year, all pieced and quilted with this baby, some straight line and some FM, which I am loving doing by the way!!

I am not liking that they are all under the Huskvarna company now, had I known that I might have gone with something else, like I said my first machine was PFAFF so that is what I stuck with

What disappointed me with the 2140 series is the way setup for FMQ is handled. Previously, I had a 1471 and a 1475. If you wanted to FMQ, there was a third position on the foot lifter. You lifted the foot and moved the lever over. Simple.

2100 series, it's done electronically. You have to choose the settings.

New Pfaffs - drop in bobbin. I'd rather have vertical. A lot easier to deal with a mess or a snarl underneath when embroidering.
You can see to cut threads and then move the hoop. The IDT has been constant, though. I think I miss the 1475 the most.

I had a 2140, mine said Made in Sweden. So does the 2144 which I still own. The 2170s came in with Made in the Czech Republic.
The 1400 machines were German.

Since I have the 2144 and I like the way it sews, I bought the Brother PQ1500S straight stitch high speed machine. Larger harp and cheaper than another combo machine.

Babylocks are known for being very user friendly. Babylock also has a huge site with free projects and patterns for their products.
I don't have a BL Sewing Machine, but I do have their embroidery and quilting software.
Free Sewing and Embroidery Projects from Baby Lock

There are Pfaff Groups on Yahoo both for the machine and software. If you use Embird, there is a Yahoo forum for that, too.