I went downtown to run an errand for my husband this morning and made the mistake of going into our local sewing store. I came out with my head spinning and stars in my eyes. I was looking at the Pfaff Quilt Expression 4.0 ($2299), and the Babylock Espire ($2499) and Quest ($1899). They also had a used Pfaff 4872 serger for $595. This would be a big step up for me but I just retired and have lots of time to indulge my sewing fantasies. Any opinions on the pros and cons of any of these machines? Thanks!

Wow!! I never see questions about Quest! I bought one a year ago and after an initial adjustment period when I wanted to throw it out the window...I now LOVE it. When I researched new machines, my top priorities were a larger throat area and a clear 1/4" marking. I only wanted/needed a few stitches. The Quest came with so much more than I wanted, but I love it. The trouble in the beginning was finding the thread it likes. If you happen to decide on the Quest--start with Gutermann polyester thread and it should be happy.

PS I bought the machine from a Pfaff dealer, but didn't try Pfaffs because they were more expensive. I paid $1000 for the Quest--special promotion last year for the older models as new ones came out.

I actually own both, Pfaff 7550 (older) and a Babylock Ellure. I must say I love my Babylock, my Pfaff is a back up. Both are exceptional and I checked out the one you mentioned, the 4.0 and fell in love but not in my budget at all. I'd go Pfaff since their engineering and IDT foot are great!

Select the one you like and don't second guess your choice. Congratulations on having a choice! Post and let us know which one you decide on.

I have 3 Pfaffs, an older Quilt and Craft for backup and classes, a 2056 that I got an awesome deal on, and a GrandQuilter.

When I got the 2056, I also looked at the Expressions, and did not like what I read in some of the reviews. It's one of those try it and buy it decisions.

If I were in the market again, I would give Janomes a closer look.

Have fun with your purchase.

Janome is what I suggest to folks, too. I tried one when I was shopping and loved it!! It's quieter than the Babylock, but the one with the same "stuff" as the Quest was $500 more, and the throat wasn't any bigger than the machine I had... so that's why I went with the Quest. I did love the feel of that Janome... it was a tough decision.

Go to www.patternreview.com and look over the reviews on the machines you are interested in. I know the Pfaff hasn't gotten very good reviews and the Quest Plus and the Espire do. I am saving my pennies for the Espire!

I did go to patternreview and was surprised that the Pfaff didn't have particularly glowing reviews. Unfortunately, the nearest Janome dealer is about 50 miles away and I want to deal with someone closer. I have a call in to a friend of mine who has a Quest so I'll be interested to hear what she has to say. BellaBoo you are right; in the end you just have to choose and not second guess. I'm lucky to be in a position to buy any of these machines.

Okay, since you're still researching, here's more I like about the Quest: the even feed foot is automatic. You can lift it up, but other wise it's always there. The 1/4" seam line is marked so clearly in many ways and on both sides. All other seams allowances are marked as well. I just finished two ragged with 1/2" and what a piece of cake! My quilts have never matched up as well! My first machine didn't have one at all, so I relied on a magnet to hold it, but it had to be taken off every time I changed the bobbin! So, you can see why I get so danged excited about this feature. The bobbin is easy to change and you don't have to unthread your machine to do it--it's separate. I love that there are two needle plates--one for quilting and one for everything else.

I'd suggest you go try all the machines you want before you decide. ON the day I had to choose, I drove all over the place. I tried Berninas--loved that machine, but the throat was shorter than my machine! I tried Janomes--loved them too. But, overall, I'm 100% happy (now) with my Babylock.

It's a hard decision... good luck!

I have 2 Pfaffs and really like them both. I use the older one that is 30 years old the most. I think the model is 1471 and it has the IDT. I couldn't live without that. I have a Pfaff Embroidery 2140 and I liked that too. I had a bit of a problem with the presser foot not wanting to stay up when I lift the leaver. My dealer fixed it but it's going the same way. I've had it for about 8 years now.

I agree with one of the replys about buying a used machine. My next machine will probably be a used Pfaff with IDT.

I think babylocks come with IDT - the integrated walking foot now.

We also have 3 Pfaff machines: 2038, 1475, and 1200 (Grand Quilter). When we bought the first one, the IDT was the selling point for us, but after using it for a while, we knew we made a good choice. We are amateurs, but it does make a lot of the things we do easier. When I decided to start "helping" sew, we bought the 1475 used. It had been sold originally at the shop where we bought it, and the owner had traded it in for an upgrade. It works perfectly and I doubt I'll ever wear it out. I think these machines are like cars: if you buy a name brand from a reputable dealer, you will get a good product. Everything else just boils down to personal preference and experience. I hope you enjoy your new machine.

Darren

I have a Pfaff 7550, and a 2144. My serger is also Pfaff. I love them and won't have anything but a Pfaff.

It sounds like like no matter what you choose--you'll love it!

I bought a Babylock Espire this year, and I love, love, love this machine. It's just so much smarter than I am! It does tricks I didn't know sewing machines could do. I especially like the feature where you can stop sewing with the needle down, but when you stop the foot raises up--great for pivoting. and I love the thread cutter, which is a button on the face of the machine. It has a bunch of decorative stitches, some of which I actually use. I'm learning FMQ on it--slow progress there, but it's not the machine's fault. I can't imagine ever outgrowing this machine, and I bless it every single time I use it! (By the way, I got a show special on it--$1200!)

Argggghhhhh, I am gnashing my teeth over the show special prices that people have gotten. An Espire for $1200 is half of what my LQS is quoting to me, and ditto for the Quest Plus. I talked to my friend - she is a home ec teacher and really likes her Quest Plus. Today, at this minute, I think I have decided on the Quest Plus and a serger which would together be the price of an Espire. By this evening, who knows?? The pivot function on the Espire sounds great but the walking foot on the QPlus is a plus. And for some reason I am obsessed with the thread cutting function on the Espire - from watching too much Fons and Porter I guess. For Pete's sake, I have been sewing for 35+ years and have managed to cut my own thread without going over the deep end. The decision saga will continue...

Oh! I don't like the thread cutter--if that helps. My maching was a floor model--so maybe that's why, but it rips the thread more than cuts it. I never use it. Scissors still work here. :wink:

I started out with a Babylock Espire about ten years ago. This past June I got the Quest Plus (also got it at the promotional price, yay me!) and I love it to death. I also have a Babylock serger and it works great.

I would say to give each machine a test run if you can. I'm sure the shop owners would have no problem with you trying them out.

Well, I made my decision: The BL Quest Plus and the used Pfaff serger. Whew! I am excited and relieved at the same time. This is the best Christmas present ever. I appreciate all the feedback I got to my initial post. You are the pros and it's wonderful to have your expertise to draw on. Thanks to everyone!

I have a Pfaff and Bernina sewing machine and love them both. I really like the IDT on the Pfaff and would probably purchases a Pfaff. If you can find a good used one I would try to get a 1471, 1473 or 1475. These are good machines and will last forever.
On the serger, I like the jet threading on the Babylock and own 3 BL serger. I also have a older Bernina serger and it does a good job, just hate to thread it.

I have the 830 Bernina, not the new one but the old one. Mine is over 36 years old and still runs like new and it's sewn millions of miles of thread. I got the mid range Pfaff 4 years ago and it is sewing like a dream. At a yard sale I bought an old old Pfaff for 30 dollars. The guy who does sewing machine service says this old one was probably made in the late 1940's. It is a heavy portable but still runs great. For real heavy material hubby got a Thompson. Have fun picking out your machine.

I just bought a used Pfaff 1469 and it only had the embroidery design book not the operating instructions book. I have most things figured out ( I think). Does anyone have a copy or ideas where I can find one? The dealer tried her sorses and came up empty. You'all are great helpers so thought I'd ask for ideas. Thanks ahead of time.

My fist machine was a Pfaff Hobbymatic and I still have it and my second machine was the 7550 and I trade it in for a 2170 and I am ever so happy with them all. Pfaff is not well known in South Africa, but the German craftmanship is excellent! I must say I have a Babylock overlocker and it works very well. I spoke to a person who works in one of the biggest repairshops locally and he said that those 2 are the best, because their body is still steel, where the others are strong plastics. So, I agree, it is mostly personal taste, but I will stick to my Pfaff machines, come what may.

I have the Babylock Elure Plus embroidery sewing machine and I love it.

I love my Pfaff. I was lucky enough to find one that was clearanced
because it was last years model.

Have you tried going direct to babylock on the internet?

Well, it gets trickier, ladies. I just bought a Babylock Quest Plus for $1300 with ONE extra foot and the $80 (ha!) workbook included. Felt great about it, since the Janome 6600 which is VERY similar was the same price but lacks a free arm. If I'm not quilting, I'm making couture pajamas for my boys, so I need a free arm to put deco stitches on the cuffs. Considered the Pfaff QE 4, but read several bad reviews, apparent lemons.

Sorry, hit send too soon on my iPhone. Anyway, the dealer had the Pfaff Smarter when I bought my BL Quest Plus, but the sales gal told me it was a straight stitch only machine or some such thing. I hadn't seen or read anything about it, just saw it on a table in the back. NOW there's a website for this new machine and it's just like the BL Quest Plus but with a low bobbin alert and auto cut and a few other extra features. Same body, it seems. Elna has a model like it too. But feature-wise, the Pfaff is the best.

Argh! Phone again. Did the dealer fail to mention this near twin to the BL Quest Plus they sold me to get rid of a BLQP and make way for these? Could she have seriously not realized or thought of it? Prices very close. And price not my big issue. What should I do now, try it out and see if I can get the dealer to let me trade laterally? Go to another, far away, Pfaff dealer if I want it and sell the BLQP on my own? Forget about those features I didn't get and just enjoy what I've got? And has anyone bought/used the new Pfaff Smarter? Any complaints? I avoided the Janome Horizon and Pfaff QE 4 due to lemon-phobia. Btw, I don't just obsess about stuff. I bought my house the day I saw it, warts and all, and married my man 12 days after we met, so I'm not a waffler or if-only type. Advice from the saavy is sincerely appreciated.

I have had my Pfaff 1475CD for a very long time before the 7550 came out,not one bit of trouble with it.I did buy a Babylock Estante,it just sits.I do all my free motion quilting with my Pfaff.I don't think you would be sorry with a Pfaff.

Since I last posted, I decided that the Pfaff 2058 was NOT the machine for me and when hubby begged me to put it away and get a different machine (he was afraid of having to replace a window - when I was tempted to toss that Pfaff...) I went on the hunt. I test drove Vikings, Janomes, and assorted others but fell in love with the Babylock Espire (now being marketed as the Symphonie). I figuered if Eleanor Burns and Nancy Zieman like the Babylocks, I should give them a try.

Can honestly say that I LOVE my Quilla. She is the bomb! Nothing I don't like about her except that she doesn't have a built-in walking foot. But the add-on foot works just fine. LOVELOVELOVE her!

You probably already bought your machine but I wanted to tell you I have a Pfaff 2036 and loved it. So when they came out with the Expressions 4.0 I bought it because I quilt my own quilts. It had the longer throat and thread cutter which I really wanted. Terrible machine. Nothing but problems with it when free motion quilting. The thread breaks about 8 times when quilting one block. I am so disappointed. I hate it and spent quite a bit on it. Piecing your quilt or using the decorative stitches is great. But DO NOT buy it for free motion quilting. I just don't know what to do now since I spend so much I can't afford to buy another one.

I have a BabyLock Ellure and a Pfaff 2.0, like both of them for different reasons. They were purchased about five years apart at two different sewing machine stores. It has been my experience that you can buy a machine anywhere, but when you finally purchase, you're getting more than a machine, you're also buying support, customer service, trade-in/up options as well. There were many visits to 'test-drive' machines before I bought the Pfaff, I probably sewed on 8 -9 machines at a local shop, and was never made to feel like I should hurry up and decide, they really wanted me to feel comfortable with my choice.

I like others have the the Babylock espire and I'm in love. However,buying a machine is like buying a car you must test drive first. With that being said I love how quite the espire runs and all the many features it has,especially the automatic pivoting.I found mine for 1100 and in my area they're running a special on the quest plus for under 1000.
Best of luck on whatever you choose.

I have both a Pfaff 7570 and a Babylock Espire. While I like my Pfaff a lot, I LOVE my Espire, LOVE it. I have more machines then I need, having a vintage Singer and a vintage 1917 Franklin (both work well)and also a BabyLock Elure serger. But if I had to chose just one machine it would be my Espire, no doubt. I love BabyLock so I'm sure the Quest would also be a good choice.