Replies

1. 
   NansiM | Apr 14, 2002 04:47pm | #1

   Hi,

   I have the Pfaff 4872 and I love it.  Had a Pfaff 796 for ten years prior to upgrading.  I wanted the various coverhems and 5-thread safety stitch before parting with my old faithful.  this one has all that as well machine set tensions for each stitch program.  You can change these as you wish to accomodate different thread and fabric variables and keep the new settings in one of three memories available for each of the 20 different stitches.  Threading is easy, especially the lower looper and chain looper.  I have a small business and so far my 4872 hasn't let me down!

1. 
   snivsl | Apr 18, 2002 07:49am | #2

   Thanks your reply.  Just saw today Evolve by Baby Lock.  This dealer sells Pfaff, and Huskylock too!  She says at the price of 4872 the Evolve is much easier to use.  No tension adjustments and it threads by air ==there is virtually no threading.  Have you heard of this machine.  Anyone out there???

1. 
   NansiM | Apr 18, 2002 05:26pm | #3

   Hi,  The Evolve seems to be really appealing to a lot of serger owners due to that threading system.  I understand why!  I have taught generic "how to use your serger " classes for seven years and threading is everyone's hangup.  I suppose I've been comfortably threading my own for 12 years that I really don't think about it.  Also, my feeling is:  if I can see it , I can find it if something goes wrong.  Once that thread gets pulled in on the Evolve, does it ever have problems?  Can you learn to fix it yourself or do you have to go back to the dealer?  Just some Questions I'd think about.  Mostly, does it do what YOU want it to do and what kind of dealer support will you have after purchase.  Happy Shopping!

   Nansi

1. 
   snivsl | Apr 19, 2002 06:50am | #4

   This dealer is only in business several years.  She seems very pleasant and sells many different makes so there is no reason to push this model.  She says she has carried baby lock other models with same system and no one has ever had problem with the thread getting stuck.  I also noticed this as a potential problem right away.  Also, I was concerned that with other models I can control the tension.  On this machine there is no tension knobs.  But upon demonstrating on many different fabrics, I do not see a great difference, so this also makes it seem easier.  She says these machines are made by Juki, which makes industrial machines and as I live in Montreal, there is Juki who can fix the machines directly.  I was almost going to purchase the Huskylock 936 but when I went back today to clarify some things on the baby lock ( The bed is not to deep , it is built more like industrial machines) I found out that there are many more industrial type feet not available on home machines, for example it can take bias cut strips and make single and double fold bindings as it sews them on all in one step.

   As my dealer says I can buy machine and keep for 3 months and exchange for another if I'm not happy,  I'm leaning towards this machine.

   Now I just have to decide on sewing machine, either Designer I or Pfaff 2140 , I think I'm leaning towards Designer I.  She says Pfaff 2140 is new and always when companies bring out new machines  they often have problems. She will research this for me as she also sells Pfaff.  She will ask a colleague who has been selling them longer.

   Thanks.  Hope to hear from you.

1. 
   NansiM | Apr 19, 2002 02:52pm | #5

   You're my kind of shopper!  I like to know Everything before I make up my mind-drives some people crazy!  Your dealer sounds like a good one-willing to work with you, especially the checking on other info and support.  That can be really important down the line.  I used to work for a Pfaff/Viking dealership part-time and that was a BIG part of our focus-lessons and support.  No sense owning these top-of-the-line machines if they're not going to be used to their potential.                                            I do have most of the extra feet available for my Pfaff 4872 and when I do need to use them, they really help the job.  I did need to be shown how to use some of them.  You know your sewing needs best to make that decision.

   As to the sewing machines, I don't think you can go wrong with either one.  they both do so much.  The upgrade-ability of  the Designer one is certainly attractive and they have So many designs available.  Having been a Pfaff owner for so many years, though, I don't know if I could live without my IDF-dual feed.  I am a dressmaker working from home and do mostly Special Occasion, so the slippery fabric factor is important to me.  I have a 1475 oldie but goodie that I plan on keeping forever.  What a Workhorse with lots of fun stitches and feet!  Eventually I will add and Embroidery model but working on them at work has been enough so far.

   P.S.  That 3 month offer is also a good one.  We never had that.  Just be sure it's in the writing!  Happy Hunting!

2. 
   snivsl | Apr 22, 2002 07:29pm | #6

   Nice chatting with you.  It feels good having someone to discuss things with.

   Do you know anyone that has the new Pfaff 2140?? Or the baby-lock evolve. 

   It would sure help if they would review these new machines listing the pluses and minuses of all of them with repair records before we make our decisions.

3. 
   snivsl | Apr 22, 2002 07:33pm | #7

   Sorry, wanted to add something to my last message.

   The Dual-Feed on the Pfaff is the sewing dramatically different from the Designer I?  Would I miss it.  Does the Pfaff 2140 have all features of Designer I plus Dual Feed.

   Right now on slippery fabrics I sew with tissue paper underneath (the kind stores wrap your clothing with in gift boxes) But at 6,000 I want the PERFECT Machine.

   Still confused.

4. 
   NansiM | Apr 24, 2002 07:06am | #8

   I never have to use tissue except when sewing vinyl.  It has a tendency to STICK to the throat plate and not want to move along very well, but I think it would do that on any machine unless they come up with a teflon coated plate and bed area--Hmm--idea for the techies???

   The Viking uses an automatic pressure adjusting system to move things along-adjusts to different weights and thicknesses of the fabric.  I had done some sample sewing ion the one at work and did OK on those.

   I've just had my Pfaff for so long and the IDF has always been up to whatever I give it with only one exception:  Slippery lining to rayon velvets--still need to baste those two!  Velvet to velvet is fine as are any others.  Another place I really appreciate the IDF is when sewing sheers and chiffons--even feed and NO puckers.  As I mentioned before, I'm a dressmaker from home and performance is of utmost importance to me.

   Evaluate your sewing needs, put a baggie of fabric samples together of stuff YOU work on and TEST those at your dealer's.  They have demo cloth but it may not be anything like what you'll be sewing on every day.  I always encouraged perspective buyers to do that if they were undecided.

   Keep me posted-I'm pulling for you!

5. 
   snivsl | Apr 24, 2002 04:07pm | #9

   Just looked at brother ULT 2002D -  Do you know anything about it .  How would it compare to Pfaff and DI. 

6. 
   carolfresia | Apr 24, 2002 09:44pm | #10

   Hi, SNIVSL,

   I'm going to start a new discussion on this and other embroidery machines, so that your question won't be lost in here among the sergers. How about reposting so that readers can help you decide!

   Carol

7. 
   NansiM | Apr 25, 2002 03:15pm | #11

   I haven't seen that one.  Perhaps other readers can help with this?  Compare features, warranties, etc.  do they have a website?  I know Pfaff and Viking both do, and have good info.  Again, test, test, test.  You will feel comfortable with one over the others by doing that.  Know what you sew!  If the machine does well on that and meets your needs, that's the way to go.  Also, I really was intrigued by that "try it for three months"  offer you mentioned from your dealer.

8. 
   snivsl | Apr 26, 2002 09:22am | #12

   The try it for three months was for the Evolve serger.  I can see why.  Both on this site and onSewing  About.com everyone seems to rave about this serger.  As for the sewing machine, I don't know about that.  It's ok to sew on all machines, but to sit there and do the embroidery, that takes a lot of time. 

   When I saw the Brother they said D1 you have to move the hoop as it embroiders in steps, all flowers , all leaves etc.  with theirs it can do in one step without moving hoop , you only move hoop as pattern repeats.  And it stitches full area of the hoop, they said D1 doesn't do that.  Is this true?

   Edited 4/26/2002 2:26:39 AM ET by SNIVSL