new PfAff, new Bernina 710 or used Pfaff
 

I have an embroidery-only machine (Babylock) and an older Bernina (with a large collection of feet). I would like a sewing machine with integrated dual feed. I was thinking of buying one of the new Bernina 710s (b/c of its integrated dual feed and ability to use a lot of my Bernina feet) but am reading of lots of problems with the 7 series. 'Started getting interested in Pfaffs and their IDT, except that the closest dealer is 100 miles away. Have seen quite a few Pfaffs on Ebay... the Select line and Ambition line. I've communicated with someone who would sell me an older 7530 for around $700 but I fear it might need servicing.... read about mother boards burning out, etc.

I'd like to begin quilting (learner) but mainly just am interested in a good machine to sew all types of fabric evenly. 'Would love to hear your advice.

I would go to your local dealer and test drive. They may have used Pfaffs with dual feed that they could sell you with at least a store warranty. I've not heard any negatives about the new 7 series Berninas. I've had tons of issues with my 8 series, but that's a completely different machine.

One of my most favorite Pfaffs with dual feed is a 1471, which can be bought for less than you've been offered for the 7530. I also really love my 1222 which is a wonderful machine. Any new Pfaff is currently under the SVP umbrella and is no longer made in Germany. Keep that in mind.

If you like the way it sews, why don't you just get a walking foot for your older Bernina?

I agree dual feed is not necessary if you have a good walking foot. If you already have a nice machine with feet already why waste money on a new one with dual feed where you will have to get all new feet. A machine with dual feed and one without will take comepletely different feet even if they are the same brand because the feet will have to work when the dual feed is down so they have to have those openings.

There is a difference in the Dual Feed/IDT than a Walking Foot. The walking foot is mainly when you are quilting - the dual feed/IDT can be used at all times. Personally I have found a huge difference in my piecing with the this feature - although it is true you do not have to have it to piece. You may want to take some fabric and spend some time on both the Pfaffs and the Bernina new 7 series. If the Pfaff dealer is not close enough do you have a quilt show coming up in your area? A lot of times the machine dealers are there and you could combine that with your quilt show experience. In addition to the dual feed the new Berninas also have an expanded throat area and the bobbin holds probably about 70% more than other machines (with the exception of the Bernina 820/830 although it does hold more than even those). I am not a Bernina dealer but have been looking at the 710/750 seriously. I have a 730 and am considering selling it and upgrading.

I really feel that with buying any machine how comfortable you feel with it is what closes the deal. I do have an older pfaff which I purchased before Bernina came out with the new 7's however, I have found that if something goes wrong (which of course it did) parts for the older machines are really hard to get. It seems that most of the manufacturers have quit making parts for the older machines getting us to buy newer ones.

I have an 830 with the dual feed feet and love it!!!!

I have an older Pfaff with IDT and a new Baby Lock without IDT and I will use the Baby hands down any time. Before I bought the Baby Lock, I actually bought a new Pfaff and that machine drove me to drink. I found the quality to be less compared to my older machine. I know that customer service and support has gone down since the company was bought out by VSP, so I would not buy a new Pfaff now.

I really expected to miss the IDT but I can honestly say that I don't. The Baby Lock has a wider feed dog with more contact points and it causes very little distortion (if any).

Can't answer about the Bernina because Nina and I do not get along well.

Good luck on your decision.

I have an 2007 PFAFF 2056 with IDT - it literally has been 'on' since I have bought it. Pre-PFAFF I had a walking foot attachment - but it made my eyes buggy with the up/down action of the metal.

The IDT is so none noticeable - love, love, love it. But I think machine preferences are like coke vs. pepsi, cat vs. dog. :)

Babylock has the Quest (maybe renamed by now) Pfaff let the patent on IDT expire. Whoever made the Quest got it right. They pulled the feed apart and adapted for that machine. I tried sewing some rather iffy samples (heavy glove type leather) on every machine I could try. Walking foot, teflon foot, none would sew right. A very basic Pfaff, and the Quest were the only two machines to handle the leather. Both had IDT

Unless my 2170 is using a foot with no cutout, the IDT is on.

I really like my Pfaff machines. I have an older 7550 and a 2144. Both have duel feed. I have used a walking foot on the Viking machine at work and I really prefer duel feed. I can use duel feed with almost any foot I choose adn i love it for piecing. The walking foot seems bulky to me after having the duel feed.

I agree with several others on here about the IDT on the Pfaffs. I would rather sew on the Pfaff (an older one bought in 1986 and I sew on it every day I sew). It does not compare with sewing with the separate walking foot I have to put on my Brother. I am looking at the new Pfaff Ambition (I think that is the name of it). I use the IDT engaged on nearly everything I sew. It will sew through thick or thin, never failed me. Our local dealer is fantastic.

I can't speak to the Pfaff or Bernina, but do want to emphasize the danger in buying any machine via internet if it 's not from the manufacturer...not only could it not work, but with some companies, if you didn't purchase it from them or their authorized dealer, they won't fix it if it needs it.

I had an older Pfaff 1229 my sister talked me out of, still miss it, have 3, 7570's and one 2056 all have IDT and really love it, would not have any thing else.

Go to your dealers, both Pfaff and Bernina - if you can and try out both machines, find out what the warranty is and if your presser feet will fit the new Bernina. See if there are any gently used machines with a warranty that you could buy. Do your homework. Don't take suggestions from someone else - you may have a totally different need - budget - and method of doing things.

I had a old (1977) Pfaff and when it broke and couldn't be repaired I purchased the Baby Lock Serenade. Love it as much as I did my Pfaff. What ever you purchase try them out to see which one fits your needs.

I'm a huge fan of Pfaff's IDT... I leave it attached all the time and it's a joy for accurate piecing with very little pinning. Mine is a Quiltstyle that I bought in 2002. After reading so much about the newer Pfaff's that some do not like as well I just bought Juki machines but will be keeping my Pfaff too.

I'm not a very experienced sewer (or quilter). I bought a Pfaff Quilt Expression 4 a couple of months ago and must confess to noticing a big difference even in very day sewing with the IDT. I didn't have the IDT down a for Ten-Minute table runner at Christmas - left up for a special fancy stitch -and could clearly see the difference when I remembered to put it down for the next one.

(The main reason I bought this machine was for the auto presser-foot lift, for pivoting appliqué. I love the way you can set so the foot comes up a smidge automatically, with the needle down. A huge time-saver!)

Thank you for all of the feedback on this. It gives me lot to think about. Since I'm not in a hurry, I'll really do some research.

ITD is wonderful I have it on my 2048 Pfaff, only complaint is my machine was less than two years old and I lost the mother board, this year I was sewing a denim rag quilt and had to refill a bobbin went back sewing and now the Pfaff won't forward the fabric it needs to go to the shOp again, I haven used this machine very much seems to be a bit finicky.

I have one of these as well. It's good to see there are still some kicking around.

Karynne

All of the older Pfaffs - from the 2170 down are vertical bobbin. So is the Babylock Quest. Berninas are also vertical.

I find verticals far easier to adjust and undo snarls. If embroidering, I don't have to take the hoop off the machine to get at the bobbin. That applies to some quilting.

gneebee, How old is your older Bernina?
I bought a new 750 QE and the feet from my 1031 are not interchangeable and visa versa.
I do how ever love the dual feed on the 750. It is much quieter than the walking foot I use on the 1031. My piecing has been spot on.
All I wanted was a larger throat space for FMQ, the BSR and double blanket stitch. All of which I love along with the lights, large bobbin, needle threader and so far I have had no problems.
The more I use Bernadine the better she gets.
However I doubt I will ever use all of her of fancy stitches.

If you have a Bernina, you already have a machine that sews all types of fabric evenly. I agree with the earlier post, get a walking foot for your Bernina, and then when you get farther down the road with your quilting, you will know more of what you want from a machine, that your machine is not doing. I used my walking foot on my Bernina for garment sewing long before I started quilting. What is your older Bernina? Many quilters on this site have said their older Berninas were the best for quilting.

I would say to find a dealer and test drive any machine that you are thinking about to see which you like better. Personally, I have the new Bernina 780 and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!! The dual feed is GREAT!! But 100 miles is a distance to go if you need servicing and such. Plus, most Bernina dealers I know offer free classes to learn your machine and that is always a good idea.

Please also keep in mind,it can be a real nightmare to find parts for Pfaff's. It's the reason a Pfaff dealer I know finally had to stop being a Pfaff dealer. His wait times for parts were typically 6 months at least. I can attest to that. I bought a used Pfaff at a auction, it needed a foot control and electric outlet plug to make it work. It took 5 months and they sent me the wrong one first. My Pfaff dealer was the worst I have ever seen. She wouldn't contact me with the status of my order for 5 months. I finally had to send her a e-mail that if I didn't hear from her, I would contact my state Attorney General's office and file a complaint.Strangely enough, she who had been avoiding speaking or e-mailing me, when I said that I was going to contact the state, right away she e-mailed me. My point is, make sure that you have a good dealer, it really makes a difference. By the way, my previous dealer told me that he sure wished that Pfaff could become a stand alone company again,rather that being a part of SVP.

If you are just starting out on the dark side to quilting. Why not just buy a walking foot for the bernina and purchase good quality accessories or quilting ie, cutting board, rotary cutter with new blades rulers. To begin with and see if it really is the hobby for you before spending so much. Then listen nd go to trial run machines you think you would like. The machines are very different and need plentY of looking at may be you will want a bigger throat to push quilt though which means looking at a different set of machines. Good luck and welcome to the best hobb hand site in the world.

the Pfaff 7530 WAS a great machine, but you can no longer get parts for it. The newer Pfaffs, as in the last 15 years, since they began making them in Asia rather than Germany, are of very poor quality. I had two TOL Pfaffs and got rid of them both, the latest being the Creative Sensation. Really a BIG disappointment. One thing too, the Integrated Foot on the Pfaffs is so convenient, but it does not work as well as a real walking foot. I agree with whomever suggested you get an older Bernina you can use on your feet with, and a good, BERNINA walking foot. I think you would be happier and I KNOW your wallet will be happier. Michelle