HI,

just wanna join in the fun and present you my answers to the Sewing Machine Meme over at Sew, Mama, Sew! So here we go:

pfaff2027

What brand and model do you have?

A Pfaff ClassicStyle Quilt 2027.

How long have you had it?

About 11 months, I think.

How much does that machine cost (approximately)?

I believe it was originally priced between 1200 and 1300 € (that’s approximately 1734 $).

What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)?

Mostly clothing, also some bags, toys, home dec. I hope to try out some simple quilting projects, too, but clothes always have a priority.

How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get?

Not nearly as much as I’d like. It varies, though. Sometimes I don’t even get to look at my sewing machine for 2 or 3 weeks. Then, I suddenly have time on my hands and sew several days straight from morning to late evening.

Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name?

Hmm, ambivalent might be it. I grew up with those nice mechanical machines and suddenly got this hightech one. Took quite some time to bond with it. I am enthusiastic about the possibilities. At the same time, I feared all those bells and whistles would somehow take the magic out of sewing. Not true, as I found out. So I am beginning to love it, but will never name it =)

What features does your machine have that work well for you?

I LOVE the Integral Dual Feed (fabric feed from top and bottom). It makes sewing with both, sheers and several thick layers so easy! Also, having 13 different needle positions is quite helpful and, of course, the needle up/down function.

Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine?

Not really nuts, that’s too extreme. I do not quite like the position of the permanent reverse button. I keep missing it. That’s probably just me, though. I’d like to have more options for automatic buttonholes, but can do well enough with what I got.

Do you have a great story to share about your machine (i.e., Found it under the Christmas tree? Dropped it on the kitchen floor? Sewed your fingernail to your zipper?, Got it from your Great Grandma?, etc.!)? We want to hear it!

I had been looking for a good and affordable machine for months. Of course, I went to our local store on a regular basis. At some point, they were selling the machines they had on display. That made a perfectly good machine so much cheaper, but not cheap enough. I was extra lucky, though. A woman had bought the Pfaff ClassicStyle 2027 and brought it back unopened a few weeks later, because she didn’t have the time and nerve to learn all it’s features. So this machine was offered for good 500 € (almost 700 $) less than the usual retail price. Still a lot of money, but sewing machines are meant to last for a long time and I knew I wouldn’t get anything better or even just equal for less.

Would you recommend the machine to others? Why?

As the name says, this machine was developed for quilters. Yet, I do not think the harp is long enough for big projects. Therefore, even though it has nice stitches and functions, I am not sure I’d truly recommend it to the intendet target group. But I would recommend it to people like me, who mainly sew clothes, but also love to experiment, too. It’s rather easy to use, has enough power, nice functions, a good assortment of stitches, loads of accessories/ tools included or available for purchase… And that Integral Dual Feed I already mentioned above cannot be beaten. It probably was what made me buy a Pfaff in the first place.

What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine?

Like most other people said, think about what you truly want to do with it: what features you need, what functions you’d like to have in addition, but could live without and what you truly do not need or want. Also, consider your budget, of course. I paid a bit more than originally planned, but only considering that a good sewing machine can last you a lifetime if you choose wisely.

I’d start looking for the perfect machine by getting brochures or browsing the web to see what’s even possible. Maybe you do not know you totally need the bobbin thread sensor until you read that it exists!

Do you have a dream machine?

Originally, I was obsessing about the Pfaff Expression 2028. More buttonholes, more stitches (including an alphabet), more buttonholes. It was just too expensive. If I didn’t believe in keeping a machine for at least half a lifetime (and if I had the money to spend), I’d now get the Pfaff Expression 4.0, for the longer harp and the bobbin thread sensor.

@Anette: Thank you for the lovely comment! The pattern you asked for is from the Burda issue mentioned in the title of the post. I don’t know where else to get it.