We also have 3 Pfaff machines: 2038, 1475, and 1200 (Grand Quilter). When we bought the first one, the IDT was the selling point for us, but after using it for a while, we knew we made a good choice. We are amateurs, but it does make a lot of the things we do easier. When I decided to start "helping" sew, we bought the 1475 used. It had been sold originally at the shop where we bought it, and the owner had traded it in for an upgrade. It works perfectly and I doubt I'll ever wear it out. I think these machines are like cars: if you buy a name brand from a reputable dealer, you will get a good product. Everything else just boils down to personal preference and experience. I hope you enjoy your new machine.

Darren

I have a Pfaff 7550, and a 2144. My serger is also Pfaff. I love them and won't have anything but a Pfaff.

It sounds like like no matter what you choose--you'll love it!

I bought a Babylock Espire this year, and I love, love, love this machine. It's just so much smarter than I am! It does tricks I didn't know sewing machines could do. I especially like the feature where you can stop sewing with the needle down, but when you stop the foot raises up--great for pivoting. and I love the thread cutter, which is a button on the face of the machine. It has a bunch of decorative stitches, some of which I actually use. I'm learning FMQ on it--slow progress there, but it's not the machine's fault. I can't imagine ever outgrowing this machine, and I bless it every single time I use it! (By the way, I got a show special on it--$1200!)

Argggghhhhh, I am gnashing my teeth over the show special prices that people have gotten. An Espire for $1200 is half of what my LQS is quoting to me, and ditto for the Quest Plus. I talked to my friend - she is a home ec teacher and really likes her Quest Plus. Today, at this minute, I think I have decided on the Quest Plus and a serger which would together be the price of an Espire. By this evening, who knows?? The pivot function on the Espire sounds great but the walking foot on the QPlus is a plus. And for some reason I am obsessed with the thread cutting function on the Espire - from watching too much Fons and Porter I guess. For Pete's sake, I have been sewing for 35+ years and have managed to cut my own thread without going over the deep end. The decision saga will continue...

Oh! I don't like the thread cutter--if that helps. My maching was a floor model--so maybe that's why, but it rips the thread more than cuts it. I never use it. Scissors still work here. :wink:

I started out with a Babylock Espire about ten years ago. This past June I got the Quest Plus (also got it at the promotional price, yay me!) and I love it to death. I also have a Babylock serger and it works great.

I would say to give each machine a test run if you can. I'm sure the shop owners would have no problem with you trying them out.

Well, I made my decision: The BL Quest Plus and the used Pfaff serger. Whew! I am excited and relieved at the same time. This is the best Christmas present ever. I appreciate all the feedback I got to my initial post. You are the pros and it's wonderful to have your expertise to draw on. Thanks to everyone!

I have a Pfaff and Bernina sewing machine and love them both. I really like the IDT on the Pfaff and would probably purchases a Pfaff. If you can find a good used one I would try to get a 1471, 1473 or 1475. These are good machines and will last forever.
On the serger, I like the jet threading on the Babylock and own 3 BL serger. I also have a older Bernina serger and it does a good job, just hate to thread it.

I have the 830 Bernina, not the new one but the old one. Mine is over 36 years old and still runs like new and it's sewn millions of miles of thread. I got the mid range Pfaff 4 years ago and it is sewing like a dream. At a yard sale I bought an old old Pfaff for 30 dollars. The guy who does sewing machine service says this old one was probably made in the late 1940's. It is a heavy portable but still runs great. For real heavy material hubby got a Thompson. Have fun picking out your machine.