I am looking into investing in a new machine and it's come down to either a Bernina or a Pfaff.

I LOVE the Bernina Aurora 440QE, but I'd probably start with the Activa 240.
And I've looked at the Pfaff 2048, but there is a 2056 for sale on Craig's List.

I'd love to hear from people that have used both, and from those that have good things to say about their own machine.

Thanks!

My friend is selling a Pfaff see under classified.
I have had a Bernina for over 15 years and works like a charm. I have had no problem with it. Love love my Bernina. I have friends that have Pfaff's and Bernina's and both are in love with their machines!!!
Depends what features you want and how much you are willing to spend!!!
Good luck and let us know what you decided to buy!!!

Bebe

I have had a Bernina for three years which has many fancy stitches, a stitch regulator and does embroidery-- All features which I really haven't used as much as I thought I would.
I also have a new (1 year old) Pfaff 2036 which I use all the time for piecing and stitch in the ditch type sewing. I had made the mistake of trading in a not very old Pfaff which I really liked. In addition to the IDT, it had upper and lower case alphabets that were great for making quilt labels, and I miss that.
They are both quality machines so it depends on what uses you need it for.
My main advice would be to sew on each BEFORE you buy. Good Luck, and enjoy whatever machine you get!!

I own a Brother for ME which I bought for machine emb...now it is my only machine
I also had a Husq/Viking for quilting which I sold. Which was a really good machine...
If I had my druthers I would go with a Bernina or a Husk/Viking (if I had the money) that would allow me to do ME and quilting and plain sewing...
I like my Brother, don't like the built in Disney designs...
Just my 02 stitches...
Kirsten

I bought a used Bernina Bernette 2 years ago, and I love it. That little tiny bernette is all I have to quilt with, and I am proud of that little thing. It is a honey. I machine qulted that huge king sized black and white trip around the world with it. If and when I graduate to a larger machine, you better believe I will get another Bernina.

I have an older Bernina with lots of bells and whistles and I love it. I don't use all that it offers, but maybe I will some day. I have never had one bit of trouble with it. But.... I have never tried a Pfaff.

When I was looking for an embroidery machine, I checked out this site http://sewing.patternreview.com/SewingMachine/Reviews and read about what people thought about a machine. It really helped by ruling out several models that had bad reviews.

Mary

Hi there, Well if I could have afforded it I would have gone for a Bernina, as it was I got a Brother Innovis 1200, which has an embroidery feature and loads of stitches including quilting ones. Have to say I am very pleased with it and I went for an A-Grade machine which is a total reconditioned practically new machine and saved 400 GBP (thats UK Pounds).
Good luck with the purchase. :D Elle

I am the proud owner of a pfaff tiptronic and a bernina QE.

I find that I prefer the pfaff for piecing quilt tops. You can not beat the dual feed feature on the pfaff. When I use any other machine I find my blocks never got together as nicely as they do on the pfaff!

I love the bernina for quilting! You can't beat that stitch regulator when your doing free motion quilting. It is amazing!

Both machines will do you proud which ever one you decide upon. Try them both before you buy, if you can.

Thanks for the link, Mary. The Pfaff 2058 that I was considering had more than a few negative reviews.

I am going to take this process slow, even though I am very excited to get a new machine. It's quite a bit of money to drop on a hobby all at once (not to mention the fabric :P ), so I want to be sure that I've made the best choice for me.

Thanks to everyone else as well for your input.

i have the Pfaff 2056 and
i love it

hi kinkajou, i have a pfaff 2056. have had it for 4 yrs and i love it. it has more features than i probably need, but maybe someday i will learn all the things it can do. it is smarter than me, so sometimes i am somewhat intimidated. but it has made many many quilts for me and i am pleased.

Here's my 2 cents......I bought a 440QEE in October 07, well I tried it, loved the emrboidery part but absolutely HATE the BSR and determined that I am no good with free motion quilting.

So that being said, I went back to my local dealer where i purchased my 440 and they allowed me to trade it in with full purchase value and I purchased a 630E. I am much happier and even though I send my quilts out for quilting I still love my Bernina.

You really do need to test it out and make sure you really are going to use the features it comes with and get the best machine for your needs.

I know I'm happy now with my new machine.

Debbie

Thanks again for all the replies. I ended up buying the Pfaff 2048 and so far I am happy. I can go back to the dealer for lessons if I need to. Apparently there is a stitch regulator for free-motion for my Pfaff machine, so I may try that down the road.

The only thing I do not really like is the needle threader, I find that it gets in the way and makes creaky sounds when I am using some stitches.

I also bought the stitch-in-the-ditch foot and I love it!

Kinkajou: Congratulations on your new machine, I think you will like it. Maybe you can have your dealer check your needle threader- my Pfaff needle threader works better than my Bernina needle threader- no problems. I would suggest the 1/4 inch foot for piecing for your Pfaff--I have found it makes a real difference - my blocks are much more accurate since purchasing this foot. (I took Patrice's advice on this--she was RIGHT, as usual!! :D (I also like the stitch in the ditch foot!!)

ENJOY!!

I did get the quilting foot but I am still having trouble with my 1/4" seams.
I am thinking that if they do not improve (I am thinking that I need to get used to the new foot) I will get the 1/4" foot with the guide.

I've been enjoying finishing a quilt that I had started before getting the machine. I am going to be sad when I have to go back to work tomorrow and have to leave it at home.

I purchased a Bernina 530-2 50 years ago. This is the only machine I have ever bought, although I have used others over the years. I have it cleaned and serviced every couple of years and have never had a problem with it. Love the Bernina.

I have a tipmatic Pfaff that must be around 25-30 years old. I love it. My sister also has an older Pfaff with a built in walking foot. When we went to get the quilting machine, we chose a Pfaff. I would agree though that it depends on what you want out of the machine.

I currently have a Janome which is a real workhorse. I had a Bernina for 35 years, never ever had a problem with it and when I took it in to be serviced after a bout 18 years, the guy said it was the first he had seen in years and years. It finally died, and couldn't replace the parts so since I wasn't sewing much, I bought the Janome, (400.00) which was a good Canadian Price at the time.
If I upgrade, and with christmas coming, I may ask Santa for a Bernina.
I just know it is warrantied for life, has great performance and is worth every penny that one would spend.
I just wish that the arms were longer on the machines. It would certainly make life easier. Are there any out there? I haven't seen one in the few shops I have visited.

[b] Hi:

I have owned a Pfaff for 4 years now and just love it I also bought the stitch in the ditch foot and I use that quite a bit.

Personally I would not have any of them but the PFAFF.

:lol: