Hello everyone :-) Any Pfaff Quilter Expression Owners?? I have been for the most part a 'lurker' and have enjoyed reading everyday all you have to post...and now I could sure use your help and advice.. I am afraid of a decision I made and now am a little worried for the following reasons... I just recently put a down-payment on a new Pfaff Quilt Expression 4. I am a
quilter...definately not "Show" quality guilter, but hope to be someday. I was
looking at and comparing the Pfaff QE4 and the Bernina 440. I really liked the
Bernina 440 and I have an old (25+ yrs) Bernina 910. I have always valued the
quality of Bernina. I am however on a limited budget (poor nurse) :-) so I
decided not to purchase the MUCH more expensive Bernina. With all that said...I
am feeling kind of sick now, because I have been looking on the internet at "the
reviews" of the QE4 and so far, most all of them have been horrible!! Many of the
posts were about the tension and the 'breaking of thread' frequently while
quilting? The #1 complaint mentioned was "Thread Jam" indicator showing on the
machine when no 'jam' had occurred. I really am scarred at this moment...feeling
like I got caught up in the salesman's pitch and jumped into something before I
did my research. Most of the comments I read on the internet are from 2009...so
does anyone knows if the machine I am buying soon is any different from the 2009
or not? This is a big purchase for me and now I am having second thoughts and
thinking about going back tomarrow and asking for my check back. Of note, the
dealer has been in business for many, many years, is local and is family owned.
Thank you all for any advice or comments...hope I can sleep tonight! The little
bit I sewed on the machine before making the 'down-payment' I Loved it!! Thank you for any response...good or bad r/t this machine.

I cannot help you, but just wanted to say that I feel for you being in this situation. Hopefully they have corrected whatever caused such neg. comments from 2009. You however need to do whatever you feel is best for you. I do wish you the very best.

I have a phaff quilt expression 2044 I purchased 6 yrs ago and never had a problem. I just bought an Janome em machine so sits my lovely phaff but will use it to take to class.
I don`t think you`ll e disappointed, especialy if you have a good dealer.
Gale

I was in the same situation. Looked at the Bernina 440 and was ready to write the check, then they showed me the 830! $10,000!!! I want that one but could not part with the $$$. What I did was go to Sears, bought a Kenmore---walking foot and 1/4" foot and will sew on it until I can make up my mind. My old machine is a 40 yr old Bernina. When I do finally choose one I think it will be the Bernina and I have bought some time without too much investment.
Kay

I have a Pfaff and love it, but it is not the same model as the one you are buying. I think in general Pfaff can be a little tempermental but once you have the right combination of thread, needle and fabric just stick with it. I have ordered the Hobby 1200 and have read the same reviews about threads breaking on it as well, but I intend to have my dealer give my the lowdown on what threads it likes and what needles to use and hopefully that will solve the problems that some people have experienced. I stuck with Pfaff since I wanted the feet etc to be inchangeable with my current machine.

I agree.

Since your machine will not be the floor model, ask the dealer if they will be testing the machine BEFORE you bring it home. Also, ask the dealer if you can test sew on YOUR machine for a while before you leave the store. Plan on playing with it for at least an hour. ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS! Keep asking questions until you are comfortable with your purchase.

The "tempermental" part of a machine just gets me. If I pay X amount of dollars for a machine, short of using postal twine, I should be able to run just about any thread to my liking!

But the old saying goes "Follow your gut feeling". If you really are not comfortable with the thought of your purchase then it really may not be a good fit for you.

Good luck!

Does this dealer also sell Bernina? If your heart lies there, maybe it's best to transfer that down payment to the machine you really want. Even if it takes longer to pay for it-installments etc. you won't be full of second thoughts...

I heard alot of negatives when I was considering my CV 5.0 but the price was sooo good and I loved the machine that I bought it anyway!
I use any thread, Schmitz needles and have never had any problems!I LOVE THIS MACHINE!!!!
Kirsten

I recently bought a Pfaff (not the same model) that sewed beautifully in the store, but now that I got mine at home, it is a temperamental thing and there are some features that are driving me nuts.

Do you get classes with your machine? If so, take it through the paces. What would happen to the down payment if you don't get the machine? As for the reviews: 2 kinds of people post reviews - the lovers and the haters. There is usually a large batch of users that don't feel compelled to review an item. They are happily sewing along on their machine and you deal with whatever glitches happen as they happen.

I have the Pfaff Expression2 and I love it. I have only had it since xmas, and it's done a lot of hard work for the time I've had it, (not just quilting).

Like yourself I wanted a Bernina at the time, simply because that's what I had for the past 30 years, but the $$ was out of my reach, so I settled for the Pfaff.

It did take some getting used too, and I had problems with cotton breaking, and fabric getting caught up, though once I had the lessons, that was part of the deal it was smooth sailing and I haven't looked back.

I think all machines are quite different, and it's a matter of getting to know your machine, and how to use it. I really don't think you have made a bad decission at all. Actually I would have got the Expression4 if I had of had the $$.

Good luck with your choice. :-D

I have two Pfaff sewing machines and I won't have anything but a Pfaff. I love them and have never had the problems I have heard about. I have had regular maintenance by my dealer and they have been the best machines I have ever had.

Just registered and am new to the board but I wanted to reply about the Pfaff QE4. Purchased mine last Aug and am in love w/it. No problems at all. Have had 2 other Pfaff machs. over the years and have nothing but great success with all. Even started free motion quilting. Read alot of negitives about the QE4 on another site after my purchase and got kinda scared. But I completed fmq 2 quilts and have pieced 3 lg quilts and 2 baby ones. Have been sewing since high school (clothes then) but only quilting now (best therapy in the world). Really enjoy this site

Thank You, Thank You ALL! I ran home today from work to check my posts from all of you...then I gathered my list of questions and went to the dealer. He/She informed me that there was several very small adjustments that had to be made to the machine when it first came out...2009, and Pfaff has made those corrections, ie) sole plate, dull cutting blade and something with the tension. They assured me that I will not have these problems with this machine and if I do, it is only a few minutes in the shop to correct, but they do not see this even happening. They have sold over 50 in the last month and have had no complaints or returns for adjustments or repairs. And they assurred me of a couple of things; First I was real happy to have them tell me that I can go in for classes (on my own new machine) every week for free and work on anything with my own (when payed off) machine! That way if anything does occur with the machine, they will be right there to see it and correct it...and I will also be able to learn to use the machine correctly. They knew about many of the complaints I spoke about (from 2008/9) and told me that many of the problems were "operator errors". So I am excited now, because even tho it isn't completely payed for, I can "play with/ test it" :-) If I am not happy with my decision, they will put my full deposit on any other machine. Since I will be using the machine for a few months, they really couldn't refund my deposit in full. Or they will replace it with another QE4 if any problems were discovered and not easily fixable. The dealer is only a fifteen minute drive from my home...so I can go there anytime they are open and play. I am glad I asked about the "test-drive" thing, I didn't even think of that earlier! :-) All your comments were really helpful and thanks to you all, I was able to ask the dealer all the questions I needed to. Like I said earlier, they are family owned and have been in this small community for many years, so I have a feeling they will work hard to keep the customer happy. I think I can relax now and just be excited to get it paid for and get her home. I will keep you all informed about how everything goes...Can't wait for my first class this weekend! :-) Thanks again, Julie

Not sure on the machine youar looking at. I have a Phaff expression 2034 that is about five years old. I love love piecing on it. I have had no problem, and sews very well. I also have a Bernina 730 that I do embroidery on...but love piecing on the Phaff. Not sure this will help but I do not see you making the wrong decision if you go with the Phaff.
Beth

Sede_Mae I am so happy for you that you are relieved now! It sounds great and like you can now just be excited and happy to start stitching away on your new machine. One thing that was mentioned earlier that we all might think about regarding making lg purchases; some of the reviews are usually written by a very dissatisfied Customer. However not all happy & satisfied Customers will take the time to write a review. So for ever 1 bad review, there may be 50 or more happy folks that did not write a thing.

I got a Pfaff Expression 2 for Christmas, and I love it. I have made 3 quilts so far, two pillow shams, and two sports shirts. The instruction book is wonderful, so easy to follow. I bet you end up loving your machine as much as I love mine, but I am sooo glad you went back to the dealer and got your questions answered. Smart girl!

Good for you Sede_Mae I'm pleased you have resolved your doubt! :-D

What size town do you live in 50 of one machine sold in one month seam a little un real....to me... I sold machine for 20 years. Never did that, or all of us in the store combined.
Happy sewing/quilting.

And any machine is a quilting machine. Since Quilting has become so big it is just a sales pitch to sell to a quilter. They
call it a quilter???? I refused to say that. Just like some machines do embroidery but they are not embroidery machines.
They also quilt / sew / piece and can also do embroidery.

Sorry I just don't do well with sales pitches. and also bashing other brands. Not al of us drive a Ford or Chevy etc

You will find people like my dh who loved him Yugo LOL

But you are better off to test drive first, and if they will not let you do that go somewhere else. Hpe you feel good about your dessision.

Connie F

I have had a Pfaff Quilt expression 2046 for 5 years now and i use it daily and i wouldn't trade it for any other. I love it. I seww all my kids cloths and quilt and do all kinds of things with it and never had any trouble with it. I want to encourage you to buy nothing else but PFAFFF.

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!! :(

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

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Excellent!! Thanks for that tip.

Love my 2 Pfaffs 7570 and 2140.

Qe4 and the little lip in front of the bobbin that turns are seam edges. Placing a 3/4 inch wide piece of masking tape over that lip allows the seams to glide right over without turning. I'd been battling that and read the tip somewhere about a month ago but never tried until reading about the problem in this thread today - it does work. I wouldn't use any kind of tape that is really sticky. Mine is the paper masking tape you use for painting and it comes off very easily. I'm stopping for the night and removed it just in case as I don't want any residue build up if I can avoid it. Just thought I'd share.

Thank you for starting this thread. I've bookmarked and have enjoyed reading it and learning which is a good thing.

I have a QE4 and absolutely love it. I use it all the time for quilting and sewing. I have had absolutely no problems with it. It takes a bit of getting used to not needing to lower the presser foot, but that only takes a few times of using it. I highly recommend it.
Lil from Spokane Washington :)

My first machine was a pfaff 6122 and i loved it. Great to learn on. I just made a mistake 2 yrs ago and bought a janome 8900 horizon and have not like it. We now have a pfaff dealer in our area and am looking at a pfaff qe 4.2. The thing that scares me is they don't have a presser foot lift handle in back of presser foot. The presser foot on this machine is automatic lift and that is good in some applications but in piecing i use hands and foot to get material exactly placed for the 1/4" seem. With the automatic you can't get presser foot low enough to make sure it is where you want it on the material. I've never used the electronic knee lift and maybe that works in place of the physical handle. Has anyone had any experience on this machine??? Thank you.