Oh boo hoo!
 

I have a Pfaff 1222 freearm machine that I bought when my boys were babies -- probably in 1974. It has followed me through the years of stretch-n-sew, a lifetime if hemming things for my 5'2" self, and many years of clothes and table linen creations and on to the last about 14 years when I have also quilted.

After I retired in 2010 I discovered that the lever that tacks and reverses the buttonhole function seemed to be jammed, and also that it didn't revert to completely straight stitching after doing zig-jag. My local sewing machine repair shop finally said it (buttonholer) cannot be fixed as it's buried under the mechanisms. (Of course I just had to buttonhole then, and I make them "freehand".)

This Christmas Eve we arrived at our out-of-town destination a bit early, and saw a sewing machine shop that was open. The two gentlemen in there had worked on Pfaff for years, and told me what was really going on (I now think my local shop hadn't a clue). It amounts to a rod in a shaft sort of thing that is central to the whole whatzit, and which are working their way apart, and it cannot, indeed, be saved. They said the parts were coming apart even if I didn't realize it yet.

So after reading this very wordy post I thank you for participating in what feels almost like the loss of a friend. I do think I will buy another [plastic??!] Pfaff, a simple one that runs about $500. At least I will still have my integrated walking foot, even tho all the other specialty feet cost about $33 each. I meant this to be my last Pfaff (in 1974), but am not quitting sewing just yet... Thanks for listening.

It's sad to lose an old friend like your Pfaff ... she was certainly an oldy and a goodie. But the next good news is that it doesn't take long to fall in love with a new machine! I wish you well with your new "baby".

I have a Pfaff 7570 that I have had for years and will be lost if something happens to it. The guy that has a repair shop told me that the 7570 is a workhorse. I hope you find a machine you like as well as your 1222. Good luck.

I feel for you. You had a long friendship, and, I hope, a lot of good memories. I hope you find a machine you like soon. I love my Pfaff and sure would miss her.

Dina

I understand your feeling of loss. Hope you enjoy it's replacement as much as the one you have.

I feel your pain too....good luck...

That's awful. Good luck with your new machine.

I have a Pfaff 1471 bought new in 1986 and it is still running great. I dread the day it gives up, it has been a workhorse.

most of your feet will fit the new machine...and don't overlook ebay or just replacing it...i bought mine the same time you did and i loved it and used it to death...it was completely worn out when i replaced it with a pfaff 1475, which is still going strong and should outlast me.... check ebay also for other specialty feet...people lose track and then sell them later, sometimes...

You may even be able to find another machine exactly like yours only in way better condition on ebay...give it a try! I would also try Goodwill or Craigslist in your area. (If you decide you want to try finding another like you have).

You were very fortunate to have so much use out of your 'last Pfaff'. My 'last Pfaff' has only lasted 6 years (just enough to be out of warranty) and I'm afraid that means there really won't be another one. Hope you find a nice replacement.

I just bought a Pfaff Expression 3.0 in March and am already deeply attached. I hope it lasts as long as yours has.

I so understand! I lost my old lady Pfaff last spring ... I replaced it with a Viking Sapphire and am happy but I did love that machine and am still wondering if she could have been saved..the shop where I took her told me the parts needed to fix her were no longer made.

Oh I can so relate! When I traded in (okay I got $50 for it and it didn't work that well) my last machine, my LQS had to give me a tissue. DH thought I'd finally lost it but I sat there and remembered the baby clothes, the little dresses, the teddy bears and the moves all over the world with that machine. I felt like I was losing my best friend.

The good news is your new machine will hopefully become a good friend too!!!

My hubby bought me a 1222 about that same time and I used it until I had a similar problem. The repairman said that the comtrol mechanism which goes from straight stitch to zig zag etc. was froze up. He said it would cost me $300 to fix it and he didn't think it was worth it. That day the shop had a used 1222 that was in good running order so I bought it for $150. I do have a couple of others (both Pfaff) but I still have the original one even if it won't sew good. Its like loosing an old friend.

I am so sorry to read that your good and loyal friend has passed over to the great sewing machine heaven...I hope that you have a wonderful relationship with your new friend.

See if the old feet fit the new machine...if not, perhaps they will allow a trade-in allowance for the replacements.

I have a pfaff 7570- one of the last WORKHORSES that was made in Germany still.. I love mine so much that I whined the week it was gone that I was without my baby (getting cleaned and serviced) that hubby got me another 7570 just in case for Christmas.... Check Ebay... Last I looked they had quite a few on auction.. Good Luck....

I have a Singer 2020 that I bought in1977 that has the same problem, it will switch from straight stich to ziz zig while I sewing. they tell me it can't be fix anymore. so it's stored and my Brothers 350 has taken it's place in the cabinet.

That's so sad - and at Christmas!!! Hope you find a proper replacement. The hard part is that they don't make things like they used to.

Oh so sorry for your loss, but hope you will find a new and trusted friend soon.

0.

This is a good suggestion.

I have an old mechanical Viking I bought in 1987 or so. I have the feet, the even feed foot, and the knowledge that allows me to be 'comfortable' using it.
Over the last couple of years I have purchased, mostly from ebay, the exact same machine. They no longer make 'parts' for this model, so I got one for parts, and that just expanded.
I got them for under $100 each, including shipping. They all work, and I told my daughter when her cheap Singer dies, which past experience tells me it will, there's a Viking here for her.
I went a little overboard - I have 7. My original cost $800, so I have less than $1500 in what I consider an investment in a good solid machine

Sorry about your Pfaff...good luck with the new one!

I think I have the exact same machine. Still working great! I don't want a "plastic" machine like they are making now.
They sure don't make them like they use to.

I emphasize with your loss. That lasted you a very long time. I hope you enjoy whatever newer machine you choose. Try to test some and see what feels right. Some might feel like your old one did, and others just might not jive with you.

Try to recycle your old one for the metals. I'd hate to see someone all excited about getting a good price on your old machine for it to only last a bit for them.

I also have spent many, many hours shortening and rebuilding clothing (along with making from scratch), and after all these years, I am kind of tired of it and would just like to quilt.

May your sewing be smooth with whatever machine you decide to get!!!

Before you give up on a 1222 check out kijiji, craigslist, ebay, etc. I've bought two int he past 6 months to replace my 1975 1222. BTW 1222E is the same machine and the parts and feet are interchangeable. I've kept my old friend for parts - I replaced the main gear a few years before it developed problems similar to yours. I have a Janome 4800 that is wonderful ... but I can't pull my old Pfaffs out of the steady stiching like I can it.
I feel your pain ... and I was very near tears when my first machine gave up the ghost. I sewed my wedding dress on it as well as other clothing, diapers, baby clothes, western shirts (17!), my first quilts, ...

I know exactly how you feel. I had a Brother machine that I bought off of Ebay when it was in it's early days. I loved that machine but it passed on about 4 years ago. Can't get it out of my mind even now, just seemed like me and that machine were meant to be and we had been through a lot together. I still look on the internet and Ebay today to try to find another one. Some machines are like good friends and their loss hurts. I hope that me and the 301 I bought earlier this year have the same relationship!

Honey, I feel your pain. I had a Pfaff that I sewed all my girls clothes on. I made so many Halloween costumes on it. It was like my right arm. I was sewing the binding on my nephew's wedding quilt and smoke started coming out of the machine. I had burned up the motor. I guess when that happens there is NO fixing it. My wonderful husband told me to go out and find the machine of my dreams. I looked at the Berninas, but they are not Pfaffs. I ended up buying the Pfaff Creative 4.0 without the embroidery unit. I will get the embroidery unit when I retire. I couldn't be happier. I absolutely love this machine. The only bad thing is that it is so heavy. It is hard to take to classes and retreats. I know that this machine is expensive but I am worth it. Good luck on finding the Pfaff of your dreams.

Bless your heart. That is so sad!

It's hard to give up on a trusted friend, when you've gotten to know how it handles different fabircs in different situations. :-(

That's the way I felt when my old Singer went away. I had it for 22 years and only had it in the shop once. It was wonderful and sewed for my whole family. I gave it to my DD rather than trade it in, and was rewarded with it being returned a couple of years ago, completely ruined from being out in the shed. Oh well, some people just don't take care of things at all. I must say, I really love my Babylock Ellegante.
Judy

I echo the posts telling you to check on Ebay, craigslist, etc for a "new" older machine. I had a pfaff that belonged to my mom. The ol' thing weighed fifty pounds! When it needed some parts, I looked on ebay. I bought an identical machine that was in good condition and used it as a parts machine. It's been wonderful to still be able to use my Mom's machine. It's the one I learned to sew on.

So sorry. It is like losing a friend. Hope you find a nother one you like.

My local Pfaff dealer has older machines for sale. I have purchased 5 Pfaffs and returned the Creative 4.0 and Expression 4.0 because I could not FMQ with satisfaction. Still have two of the three that were not returned, sold the other one to my SIL. Personally, I would ask your dealer if they have some older ones for sale that are not made in China. Either that or find an older one on EBay or Craigslist, just would not buy one of the newer ones since they are made in China and the quality just is NOT the same!

So sorry you lost your machine, but maybe you could get another one just like it used? If not, it'll be an adjustment to a new machine but I bet you'll just be happy to be able to sew again. Good luck on your search!

Sad indeed!... Faithful old friends are hard to let go of sometimes, weither they be 2 or 4 legged, belt or gear driven, they still hold that special place in your heart. Understand and thinking of you! Penny

Just be sure it's a Pfaff and not a Hobby made for Pfaff that you buy. I've owned a 1475, 7550 and now my 7570 which I use mostly for quilting and my Designer 1 Husqvarna that I use mostly for piecing and other general sewing. The 7570 stays in her travel case in between trips to our church ladies group each month.

Ditto on the comments about replacing it with the exact same machine. I'm always amazed at how many sewing machines show up on Craigslist from that time period (mostly referred to as "antique" -- LOL). You might pick up a fully functional one for a song if you don't have a real short timeline for a replacement.

I had a Pfaff 1222E and made the mistake of trading her in when I bought a new machine. Big mistake. I loved that machine. Sorry for your loss.

I'm so sorry, I can understand that it feels like an old friend. Hugs, and may you find a wonderful replacement machine and make new memories with her!