I was having major problems with my Pfaff expression 4 so my LQS exchanged it for a Pfaff Smarter C1100. My problem is that it is really noisy and sometimes the back stitches aren't as good as I think they should be. Does anyone else have this machine and do you have anything you're not happy with it

I don't have this machine, but a QB member named Gary does. I don't think what you've mentioned is typical. Maybe also post this question in the sewing machine section of patternreview.com. At least a few owners are there. If you find it under machine reviews, then PM the reviewer, you might get help. Good luck! I have a Babylock Quest Plus, which is similar, minus the auto cutter, low bobbin alert, and electronic tension (I have a dial). I think the Smarter and Quest Plus are made in the same factory, Zeng Hseng (spelling?) in Taiwan. Mine is so quiet I used to keep checking to see that the bobbin thread wasn't out. Only noise at high speed, and that's from the cabinet and all its contents. HTH.

There is a lot of difference in the Pfaff's made in Germany than when they sold out...those older Pfaff's were and still are fabulous. I have only the german made ones and although many people are happy with the newer ones there have been numerous problems that had to be sorted out with each model. That said, I think and could be wrong but there are a lot of machines (various makers) that are just plain loud when sewing. I have heard that some people put some type of matt under their machine to help with the noise and vibration. I would definately call the dealer you exchanged your Pfaff with and ask if this is normal for this particular machine or if you can take it in and let them hear for themselves what you are talking about you will know for sure if it is normal or if there is a problem.

I just recently received a Pfaff c1100 pro as a gift from my grandmother, as I was have serious issues with my 4.0. I have really enjoyed the new machine! However, today it alerted me that my bobbin was running out of thread and although I have changed bobbins and needles and re-thread everything the machine is still convinced the bobbin is running out of thread. Has anyone experienced this issue?

You might have a bit of lint in front of the sensor. I don't know where it is on your machine, but mine is on the bobbin cover. Also, sometimes you have to stitch a ways before it will change. Try turning it off and back on. That works for a lot of problems!

Well, You I believe your right. I did check the sensor, and after calling Pfaff, and talking to grammy compressed air did get it. It seems to be running great now! Thank you!

I bought the Pfaff Smarter C1100 last December, 2010 as a friend had one. I had lots of problems with the machine at first but discovered the LQS where I purchased the machine didn't take it out of the box to test or adjust it. After 4 trips back to the shop, this machine is wonderful and it's a workhorse! The differential feed works well and you don't need a walking foot.

I love the different stitches that are built into the machine. Again, if you want a good, basic quilting machine, this one is it.

I have owned the Smarter C1100 for about a month and I had the low bobbin sensor go off, but it wouldn't do it for the tech. What I found, and read this by someone on some forum too, is that, I sit by my sliding door and if a really direct sunlight comes in, the sensor goes off and won't let me sew. I tested it a few times by partially lowering the blinds, and poof, the sensor didn't come on. It was that simple. I have the quilter's toolbox with the plexiglass clear table, so for some reason too much light must hit the sensor. I still can sew with plenty of good light, so I am happy.

If your having trouble with your thread cutter leaving thread springing up too much, like within a half inch of the needle hole or up into the take lever area, try feeding your thread from a separate spool holder for smoother feeding off of the spool. I was having trouble with cotton thread. I have lot of Superior Masterpiece cotton thread on 3000 yd spools with a wide (1 inch) center and they are about 4 inches tall. I realized the thread was kind of whipping awkwardly off of them.

With those two things combined, it made the tension too tight intermittently, so when I would auto cut, I believe that little bit of spring caused the thread to fly up. The cutter works works fine with regular small spools and poly type embroidery thread on the regular spool holder. So, I'm just using my side spool holder for all of that Masterpiece I own.

Now, I think my Smarter is great machine, the pfaff feet are so nice, with dual feed, and it just glides over thick quilting seams. [ATTACH=CONFIG]327822[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]327823[/ATTACH] Just wanted to post this in case it helps anyone.

My thread cutter isn't solved like I thought. Does anyone else have the problem where the cutter cuts the thread too short or the thread flys up in the take up lever.

I also jammed the machine, because after I turned the machine on, I cut the thread with the cutter to remove the fabric that was under the presser foot and to change presser feet. My needle bent, but the machine sewed fine after that.

I'm not so hot on the machine today, cuz it seems touchy and what good is an auto cutter that springs the thread up too short. My dealer is back next week from convention, and I will be taking it in.

kerriy--So sorry to hear that your thread problem is not fixed. I hope your dealer can fix it fast for you! (I am still considering buying this machine, so I'll be watching to see what happens.) Good luck!

I got my machine back today, and the cutter mechanism needed an adjustment. It was a little too close to the needle. It now cuts fine now with just the right amount of tail!..... It was not my big spool that I blamed. I tested all my threads and they worked great.
He said, sometimes things just slip through inspection.
I am so relieved, the machine really takes quilting seams great.
The machine works just as it should and I am happy.

Hope to here how your search ends up justabitcrazy!:o

Wow, that was an easy fix. Sweet!
I have started saving my nickels for this machine.....will be awhile, lol!
So happy all is well for you! :D

Very Dissappointed
 

I bought my C1100 April 2011 and just paid it off! It's ok, but last night I was attempting to attach piping to a quilt and realized that I cannot move the needle right to left, to snug up to piping or whatever. Even my $600 Viking could do that. Honestly, I think they saw me comin'.:rolleyes:

Kerriy, was your dealer able to resolve the thread cutter problem? I'm curious because my machines does this too. Sometimes it cuts just fine, but very occasionally. I avoid using the auto thread cutter because I know it will mean having to re-thread the needle. I've had the Smarter for a year and it is time to take it in for servicing, but my local Pfaff dealer does not sell the Smarter, and never has, so I'm reluctant to take it to them for servicing. (I purchased the machine 2 hours North of my home.) Other than the thread cutter problem, and the fact that the low bobbin indicator only works sometimes, I absolutely love this workhorse of a machine.

Update.....Oh, I now see that you were able to get the issue resolved. This is good news and I will be glad to have the adjustment made to my machine.....

Hi, I'm new here but wanted to post about the Pfaff smarter pro. I just paid off my layaway for this machine on Friday, took it back to the sewing shop two days later for my lesson on the machine, and it didn't work very well at all. Turns out it's being sent back and a new machine is being shipped for me. Hopefully it's just a fluke, but I'm worried. Worked fine for me at home for about an hour, then having major thread issues. At the class, it wouldn't stitch a zig zag or other stitches that required the needle to move horizontally.

Will post update when I receive the new one...hopefully it will be a machine with no issues. I really enjoy the features but am disappointed.

Anyone else ever had to get a replacement machine?

Thanks for this thread and all your input. I haven't been using my Smarter C 1100 but will spend this afternoon sewing with it, after I get off QB this morning :) THANK YOU ALL

Can any of you that own the Smarter by Pfaff C 1100, tell me if it has a drop in bobbin or the vertical bobbin that loads underneath with a separate bobbin case? I looked on the website and it doesn't mention it.
Thank you,
Sharon

I traded my Pfaff Smarter for the Quilt Expression 4.2. The Smarter totally broke inside and could not be fixed..........not just the salesperson and service person's opinion they showed me inside and it made TERRIBLE noises.
I did not like the thread cutter on the Smarter. The 4.2 cuts from a different direction and both threads go to the bottom.
LOVE my 4.2

LadyElisabeth,
Thank you for telling me about your experience with the Pfaff Smarter, now I don't want one. I'll just keep on quilting with my Viking Sapphire 875, until it breaks again(sigh).:mad:
Sharon

Vertical bobbin. Pfaff has always had trouble with thread cutters and vertical bobbins. I have a 2140 and a 2144 and they both mess up. The saving grace is that you can get at the bobbin without moving whatever you have under the foot.
If you are embroidering, the hoop moves out of the way.

Thank you weezy rider, I don't like the thread cutter that's my Sapphire has, it doesn't leave a long enough tail and the top thread sometimes unthreads the needle. It gets hung up sometimes too.
For free motion quilting, I prefer the vertical bobbin, it just seems to make a prettier stitch. It took me a few quilts to get used to the way the Viking Sapphire does FMQ.
Sharon

Kerriy, I have to know where you got that cute side spool holder? I need one and that is just about the cutest thing I've seen.

Connie H,
I have one just like Kerriy has. I bought it at , http://www.paulsmetalpetals.com/coneflowers.html
Sharon

Wow, I've never seen this machine before, but it is EXACTLY the same as my Singer Quantum L-500! The only difference is the blue color; otherwise, every single button and indicator is the same!

And most of us who have the Singer have had problems with the low bobbin indicator going off when there is a lot of thread left on the bobbin. I solve the problem by leaving the bobbin door open. Then it's not "connected" and the indicator doesn't go off all the time, and you can sew all the way to the end of the thread.

Don't know why I popped on to say that, but it really surprised me. But then again, Pfaff and Singer are the same company now, right? So I guess it makes sense to redesign a machine and brand it for both.

DonnaC - I also have the Singer Quantum L-500 machine. I've been having problems with it the past week and it needs to get serviced. I called Singer and told them I feel like I have a ghost machine as there is nothing on their web site relating to this machine and the customer service rep agreed. She said that when Singer Viking Pfaff all became one the Quantum L500 too closely resembled the Pfaff Smarter C1100 machine and that Singer had to pull the machine. Now I'm looking for a Pfaff technician that might be able to fix my machine. FINGERS CROSSED.

The Babylock BLSN was the first in the series. I'll bet the machine was made in China to each brand's specs.
Babylock grabbed the IDT the minute that Pfaff abandoned it. Did a good job, too. I use a Pfaff and had no trouble with the original Babylock.

HI, I have had my Pfaff Smarter for over a year. Really no issues with it until recently. Sent it in for a cleaning and get the timing adjusted. I too have problems with the cutter, sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't. This machine is very, very noisy. After I got it service I figured it would be less noisy, I was wrong. I have major issues with the top thread breaking, to the point I wanted to throw it out the window. I tried everything, new needle, rethreading it a million times, cleaning the lint out, everything, That is when it went in to get serviced. It was gone for two weeks, because the dealer I deal with sends the machines out of town to be repaired. This is something that annoys me. I will not be taking it back their for repairs. Well I got the machine back sewed for maybe 20 minutes and it is right back to breaking thread, very very noisy and when I tried to use the cutters it was extremely loud and scared the hell out of me. So the machine is back at the shop, outta town probably another 2 weeks. If it comes back working good, I will be trading it in for something better. Any suggestions? Does anyone know about Pfaff Creative Performance? I am looking for embroidery machine.

do any of you that have had this machine and no longer use it have the extension table that came with the machine and if so would you be willing to sell it? I've been looking for quite some time - please pm if you have one you're willing to part with.