TexasGurl

Just wanted to clarify, the newer Pfaff Expression Line (2.0, 3.0 & 4.0) are completely different machines than the earlier Pfaff Expression models that some are comparing to here -

I have an older one and it has been a quilting workhorse, along with my Viking.

I hope that Pfaff HAS RESOLVED the problems with the 2, 3 & 4.0 models ? - I have 2 good friends in our guild who returned theirs after endless problems. They were in for repairs & adjustments constantly, one even got a second machine and still problems. She bought a Janome 6600 & the other went to Bernina.

These new Expression machines seem to have suffered a lot in quality when they stopped manuf. them in Sweden and went to China.
Sad to think the days of the quality Pfaff are no more - no more German-made Pfaffs - or Sweden either. Now they're being made in eastern Europe or in China. Hang on to the old Pfaffs if you've got one, I am!! :(

grammypatty7

For the past 5 years I've owned, used and love my Pfaff 2034. Last fall it had to go in for it's annual cleaning and service - the 2034 has a glitch in it(which has been fixed in the 4.0) but I love it. Anyway, the day we took it in, the store owner told me about the new Pfaff Quilt Expression 4.0 and I told him I wasn't interested that my 2034 was only 5 years old and I needed to use it for another 5 years however, the reality is that I'd been wanting a machine with the longer arm so badly. The day we went back to pick mine up, I asked how much. When he told me the price and about the features offered, that got me to thinking but still resisting. My husband told me I did have enough money in my account if I wanted to buy the new quilter so o o o... Brought my machine home and went to work on my quilt and thinking. Phoned in to request an appointment for a demo as it wasn't in the local shop but one of the other's he owns. It came home with me and I LOVE it BUT

Make sure you take time the day you pick it up to learn how to use it and feel comfortable with it as it's a highly electronic computerized sewing machine, the smartest I've ever owned.

Then take it home and use it but schedule your free class in 3 or 4 weeks. Put the machine through it's paces and make a list of questions you need to see demoed and make notes on how to do them. The lady who demonstrated my machine made it sit up and take notice and it sewed like a dream. The problems in the reviews are user error. You do need to put the time in to learn how to use the machine and then you'll be fine. I'm still learning but love it. It is a dream to sew on - I'm a hand quilter who is learning to machine quilt so I don't yet do free motion. I did try once and my machine ran into a problem but it was major user error on my part because there were settings I needed to make and didn't know as I've never had to do those settings before.

If your instincts felt good the day you tried, you should be fine but make sure you and someone there has the time for you to set it up in the store and before going in, make a list of things you need to know how to do. That's what I did but it was the free motion that got me in for my free lesson. DO NOT put that free lesson off for longer than a month. By the way, I was told that I can have as many free lessons on it as I need. I doubt that but suspect it was a safe comment to make as they know I'm an independent soul.
Good luck.
Patty

dlf0122quilting

I bought a new Pfaff QE 4.0 at Road to California in January and I am very happy with it. I have had some problems but I usually find that it is not the machine, it is the user not understanding the differences. I have had a Babylock Embroidery machine which I ended up selling because I always had it in the shop with one problem or another and I have an Elna 6005 which I will not part with. I love it for taking to classes. The only thing is that with the Elna you need the quilting foot attachment and there is no thread cutter but it purrs like a kitten. Ask lots of questions and keep with it, I think you will love the machine once you get used to it.

fraserblack

I have a Quilt Expression 4.0 and I absolutely love it. I traded up from my 26yo Janome MC6000 and although I loved this machine, the QE 4.0 is so much better. I love the fact that the presser foot lifts when it's in the needle down position (great for applique). I love the IDT. I love the fact that the machine is so user friendly. If I had one thing to complain about it is the fact that the bobbin casing catches my seam allowance but even that it not a real issue. This machine is an absolute treat to use....and I sew every single day. Can't keep away from it. I am sure you will not be disappointed!

JoanneS

I have 3 Pfaffs (1 in AZ and a 'regular' machine + an embroidery machine in CT) - have loved them since I bought the first one 11 years ago. It is nice to have interchangeable feet, but that is NOT the only reason I keep buying Pfaffs. I LOVE the built-in even-feed feature - ideal for quilters - also called a walking foot. The only mechanical problem I ever had was my own fault - I broke the stitch finger by yanking on it, and it had to be replaced. I clean the lint out often, and I have my dealer give them a check-up once a year.

I really like my Pfaff dealers in both CT and AZ. They both give free classes when you buy machines from them. Your dealer probably does the same. And they answer questions whenever I have them - their attitude is 'There are no stupid questions! Pfaff dealers are great!

My dealers will give me full credit on my machine if I return it to upgrade within a year. I don't know if that's just their policy or if it's a Pfaff policy.

I will probably upgrade my embroidery machine in the near future to the newest Pfaff, although I'm tempted by the Brother Quatro! It almost reads your mind and sews without you even guiding the fabric.

Quilting Di

I have a QE4 - since Oct 2008 and love it. The only problems I have encountered have been operator error. Having been used to my Pfaff 1471 (from 1987), didn't realize that when raising the feed dogs had to start sewing to re-engage them. I have since added the CV 5.0 to my Pfaff collection. One amazing machine!

grammypatty7

Don't you feel absolutely spoiled with this Pfaff Quilt Expression 4.0? I sure do. As for the seam allowance issue, I read in a tip somewhere to put a piece of masking tape over that area which evens it out and you won't have the problem - haven't tried it as I just remembered it when reading it just now but it's an inexpensive worth the try fix. I can't fathom why that happened but they did just switch to the drop in bobbin case when Huskvarna/Viking took over and after the bobbin issues I had with my 2034, I'm so glad they did. I can cope with this easier better than the annoyance and expense of having to take my 2034 in annually to get that bobbin shuttle area cleaned out and reset. I asked them to teach me how and they said it would void my 20 year warranty if I went in to take care of it - well, 15 more years to go and then I'm learning how. LOL. I did keep my 2034 even though he wanted it as trade in on my 4.0. It's a wonderful 2nd machine plus when we did our quilted sweatshirts in class, I wanted a Pfaff for that handy dandy IDT feature. I love that almost every foot we own will work as a walking foot which makes this machine a true quilter, in my opinion.

grammypatty7

LOL. I didn't realize that either and actually took into the shop. I wrote the repairman a nice note telling him I obviously needed my free lesson and bless his heart, he phoned me at home and very gently and tactfully suggested I schedule my free lesson as soon as possible as there was nothing wrong with my machine. The interesting part is that the day I took it in for repair, he was off so the two ladies working, set it up and they couldn't get it to work either so it wasn't just me but they only have the one lady in the shop who is a Pfaff qualified teacher - they are a Baby Lock Store who happens to also sell Pfaff. The day of my free lesson, I walked in with a list of "must know" things and had Terrie demo all for me. I did sit in and do a few things to make sure I would remember how when I got home but she made this machine sit up and purr. It was such a thrill to see her use the machine but luckily, I did have enough sense to take my owners book in with me (and it's too sketchy with instructions) but she needed it to quickly review the differences in mine and the Creative Vision.

grammypatty7

Was just piecing on my QE4 and one of my favorite features is that I can be sewing happily along, run out of bobbin thread, the machine tells me AND I can change bobbins with the quilt or piece I'm working on still in place and then resume sewing. Simpley change the bobbin and resume sewing. If you haven't discovered this, give it a try the next time it happens. I've even done it while quilting on a quilted throw. I did purchase a package of 7 more bobbins from my dealer and I always wind 5 bobbins at a time as I hate winding bobbins. Also I tend to use Coats and Clark cotton machine quilting thread that I buy at JoAnn Fabrics. I was cautioned that it might not work on my machine and my instructor at the dealer was amazed that it was doing everything I needed her to show me beautifully including applique, embroidery and FMQ.

fraserblack

Excellent!! Thanks for that tip.