and the machine only sews the left side up but does not come down on the right side. what am I doing wrong????

and the machine only sews the left side up but does not come down on the right side. what am I doing wrong????

I’m a beginner, but I have successfully finished a few projects on cheap modern machines.
Now I have a vintage Pfaff and I can’t get it adjusted right.
I’ve spent days fine tuning the upper and lower/bottom (I know you’re not supposed to, but you would have too if you’d seen this!) tensions.
Now I’ve eliminated the common looping thread problem that loose tension produces, and I have the top and bottom tension set as very low, but on a mere 2 layers of t-shirt material the stitches still look like the bottom tension is too tight and the top tension too loose. The top thread is visible on the underside of the fabric and the fabric bunches up when I sew. The top tension is at “1″ but if i tighten it, thread breaks and fabric bunches worse. If i loosen the bobbin tension the tiniest bit, the machine becomes very stubborn, doesn’t want to turn, and/or thread gets loose and bunches up.

I have cleaned and oiled everything to the best of my knowledge.
I have no idea what kind of life this machine had before i found it at a resale shop.
Is it really true that cheap needles and thread can screw up the performance of a machine like this? Do I need to take it to a repair shop? Is there something else I can check or adjust that I just don’t know about?
Please help. I’m so excited to have a machine again, especially this beautiful workhorse, and I have projects all pinned together and ready to go. It’s driving me crazy and a repairman would have to wait til payday!
If you have ever owned or used a Pfaff 260, tell me everything you know! It’s hard to find info about them. I have the regular and mechanic’s manuals, though.
Possibly Related: The bobbin will not move if the machine is not running. After I pull up the the dangling tail of the bobbin thread (with the needle, by turning the wheel), i cannot by hand pull the bobbin thread up any more.
Is that normal?

the thread has tangled inside the machine pfaff 1475cd and cannot be reached..the machine locks up when the needle goes about half way to presser plate..i see no screws to remove any part of the machine to be able to remove the thread..i live a long way from any repair person..this happens once in awhile among other problems with the tension.. lately it seems to be noisy and clacking when i am sewing..i have the attachment for designing on the computer that i have never used…this should be a great machine but some of the problems i am having are more than just annoying..i do alterations every day..and need to have this machine working..without having to spen$65 or more everytime something is out of whack..thanks for any help/advice you can give me….shirley

i have a singer simple sewing machine and have had it for two years but i am going into high school this year and really want a good serger and sewing machine, that I could also use in college, should i get them now so ill be use to them? i was looking at the project runaway limited addition brother sewing machines and pfaff sergers but I have no idea what to look for, help!

My new 4.0 expression will not let me sew….the screen says to untangle the bobbin jam of which there was none. I took the bobbin casing out multiple times, brushed it, changed the bobbin, thread, needle and turned the machine off several times. As soon as I put the needle and presser foot down I get the bobbin thread jam message.

Which modern sewing machine are fabricated in sturdy metal ?
I”m replacing my old Singer machine I had since forever, so I simply trust metal body more than plastic ones and prefer to buy a modern one ,possibly new machine. Any suggestions?
I prefer Bernina, Pfaff or Viking !

I have a Pfaff sewing machine and I am using the 3D creative suite software. I have the basics of digitizing and editing but would like to improve my skills and learn to set up my designs so they have fewer jumps and look more professional. I like to make quilts and want to put my designs on my quilts. Is there a group that has tutorials and information on the 3D Suite?

Thank you for your help.

Eileen G

As stated, I picked up one of those heavy sewing machines that say Pfaff 650 but is prob a knockoff of a Morse because it looks almost just like it. It is a Zig Zag with a push button backwards and has a auto/manual lever which i haven’t figured out what that does.

I am sewing a costume made of knit backed vinyl which is folded in some places mkaing it almost too thick to go under the sewing machine foot without snagging on the feed dogs and not moving well. I can get some of it to move but i guess its too tight because it snags all on the bottom.

Is there a way to raise the foot more, or even remove it and sew it without it? Or take off the feed dogs and turn the wheel by hand to sew it? I tried hand sewing it but its tough and looks really bad because I cant get the stitching small enough to hide it like the sewing machine can.

I have a PFAFF hobbylock 756
I was stitching a basic 3 thread overlocking stitch when the needle for unknown reasons became dislodged from it’s placement. The needle was not broken, but I replaced it anyway just in case. It has not been able to “catch” the bottom looper thread with a chain stitch what so ever since then. I have re-thread the entire machine, troubleshot all the guides I can find, tightened all the screws, oiled all the key components, it WILL NOT catch the bottom thread.

I can feed fabric through the machine and the needle will pull the top thread through the fabric, and the top looper will loop thread around the top of the stitch. However, these can all be pulled right out since the bottom looper thread is not used by the machine in the stitch at all.

I can not explain how or why this has happened the way it has, and I have not changed any setting on it at all. It worked just fine for years before this. Why would this have happened? Why can I not get it to work again?

If anyone has any advice, please please help me!
Altering the tension dial does not make any differance on the bottom looper thread being used in the stitch.

I can’t figure out how to open to top part to thread the sewing machine.
There is no manual for this. It was my mother-in-laws, I got it after she passed away.

I need a machine ASAP (have a business and if I don’t sew I lose money in sales) and have access to both the Pfaff 1171 and the Pfaff 1035 Tipmatic sewing machines.

I am not sure what these machines should sell for at a used price, additionally choosing between them is rather difficult at the moment. These are all older machines. The newest one was made sometime around 1985.

There is a seller close to me where I could have a Pfaff 1035 with ALL accessories for $350, and I could pick it up this weekend.

OR I could get a 1035 for about $250 in about a week or two with only a few of the accessories available, however the machine is in mint condition and some of the accessories are still available for purchase.

The Pfaff 1171 I would have to wait about a week or two to receive, and would end up paying about $400 including shipping and one of the sewing feet I need. It does not come with a case or several other accessories that I would need to purchase.

I am getting a machine with tons of options in June, so I mostly need a machine that can get me through from now till June and act as a back up.

Thank you!

I’m interested in getting a new sewing machine.

One is a Pfaff 130 – which is in excellent condition. I have the instruction book, accessories, and even the receipt from when it was purchased in December of 1952. The other machine is called a 60 Deluxe Precision. It is also in good condition, but this is all I know about this machine. I would appreciate any help you could give me.

i want one that will last me forever without breaking allot and that would allow me to sew things i could sell online. I have a simple singer now and hate it, i want an automatic threader so bad!!!! I was looking at brother but i hear janome is good also. I might quilt but i will use thick fabrics anyhow, want a machine that could embroider somewhat and how about sergers! i have no idea about those should i buy one? I will also be buying camera that will last me forever also so I don’t want a crazy pfaff or anything..any ideas for me?

I’m interested in a sewing machine that has a larger throat than my 25-year-old basic Singer to make machine quilting easier, but a long-arm machine is totally out of my price range. The only web site I’ve found with machine prices and features is out of date (2002). Is there a good machine with a large throat, and what does it cost?
Would a Bernina, Janome or Pfaff have a larger throat than my old work-horse Singer, and what is the price? Is there another brand I should consider?

I was going to spend about 300-350$ to buy a sewing machine. I did some research and came out with nice candidate as Juki HZL-E series (models 61/71/80). Today I could make a close look at it. And the only minus i’ve found is- it is small. Yest it is, while it should be perfect for girls, and it’s just small , not dramatically small So I was looking for an alternative in this price – and yet there is none.
- Janome (for my sum) . Sellers say quality dropped significantly. I checked some of them. seems true.
they have it re-branded as “Family” and quality is better but prices for analogs a 50-100% higher.
-PFAFF / Husquarna – a small fortune for the same functionality.

Nobody recommends other brands before 300$ at all. Because of troublesome service in our country and all-plastic machines in lower price range. I listened only to sellers who have multi brand store.

Everybody says to avoid new Singer. I’v just seen an ads with 7470 it sews like a hell on a video and it is not small.

Is anybody knows about this machine? We have 7467\69 in the store. Looks the same. Is it worth buying or I should stick to a “small” choice?

Thanks for helping me.!!

p.s. i’m going to sew not often but my projects will be tough mostly. Jeans, jackets, coats. a couple of backpacks so I want to have a robust one.

My grandmother has always used Singer, but recently I took a sewing class and the teacher (a college student) recommended a Pfaff and says it’s the only brand she will use.

I am a beginner sewer who is starting a fashion line. My grandmother taught me off and on how to sew while growing up and I’m very good at sewing by hand. But I’ve decided to bring my designs to life and sew the first several pieces on my own until I can afford to hire someone. I need a good sewing machine – that is somewhat easier to run. I don’t need the very best – nor can I afford it.

Any advice you have is greatly appreciated! PLEASE ONLY ANSWER IF YOU ARE AN EXPERIENCED SEWER. Thank you!

Hi,
I’m looking buying a mid-range solid sewing machine. I’ve found the following to match my criteria nicely:
Pfaff Select 3.0 / 1538
Janome Model 625E / Sewist 625E
Brother XL-6600

If you’ve ever used any of the above, what’s your experience? Any problems? Any annoying design/usage problems (like the location of the controls)?

If you haven’t used the above models, but have experience with the brands, I’d appreciate your feedback. Are the machines reliable? Any problems they’re prone to? How is the warranty on them?

I’d really appreciate any feedback on the brands and on the models mentioned, in particular.

Thanks for your help!

Hi,
I’m looking at buying a mid-range solid sewing machine. I’ve found the following to match my criteria nicely:
Pfaff Select 3.0 / 1538
Janome Model 625E / Sewist 625E
Brother XL-6600

If you’ve ever used any of the above, what’s your experience? Any problems? Any annoying design/usage problems (like the location of the controls)?

If you haven’t used the above models, but have experience with the brands, I’d appreciate your feedback. Are the machines reliable? Any problems they’re prone to? How is the warranty on them?

I’d really appreciate any feedback on the brands and on the models mentioned, in particular.

Thanks for your help!

what are the most high end sewing machines, sergers, and embroidary machine, an embroidary machine that lets you design the design on the screen. i am in 8th grade and want to be a fashion designer. i looked at babylock, brother and pfaff. no singer for me, ewe. it seems that since brother is sold in like ever store its kinda cheap, so i dont know about that but i found this demo.

is it better to have a sewing machine, seger and embroidary machine or a sewing/embroidary machine and serger? for fashion school? is baby lock the best or is pfaff or is brother. i want a fancy looking machine, all 3 brands are fancy looking to me i love all 3 looks. my b day is coming..

I am hoping to buy a sewing machine, but I am confused whether I buy Husqvarna Topaz 30 or
Pfaff Creative 2.0. I would like you guys to give me your opinions on the machines and which is the best. Thanks and 10 points for best answer!!!
Unfortunatly there are no dealers which allow me to try the machines, dut to thier policy. Could anyone out of experience suggest which is best?

i got accepted to FIDM, but i dont know what sewingmachine to get! i had a singer, but thats too junky for fashion school, i was looking at babylock and pfaff, but i cant find anywhere where the prices are listed, i need help, please help me! i dont want a cheap machinbe, but i would like a embroidary/sewing machine

I need a machine or a foot for pfaff industrials sewing machine 9020 to make pleat son satin ribbons
or maybe i have to buy a machine if you know one
need to make a big production of this

I casually mentioned that I wanted to learn to sew and- my family came to the rescue!

in 1 week I received:

A Pfaff sewing machine 1211 ( says made in western germany it was my great grandmas.)

A baby lock B15 ( only used once.)

and a Brother LS20.

I don’t even know how to sew ( but I have some library books that may help!)

What machine would be best to learn on and to keep for a long period of time?

thanks in advance
I should have posted a link for the brother :

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/418Y8JM185L._SL500_AA280_.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.amazon.com/Brother-LS1520-21-Stitch-Automatic-Buttonholer/dp/B0006SDB8O&usg=__3Ev8zVgDauEB3TSSXkJBkI7btUk=&h=280&w=280&sz=11&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=Kn5HtMzEjTctOM:&tbnh=114&tbnw=114&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbrother%2Bls%2B1520%2Bsewing%2Bmachine%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den-us%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1

This is the model.

I’ve just purchased the Smart 200c sewing machine model by Pfaff. I´m a beginner in the sewing field and I would like to hear some feedback from people that own Pfaff machines, specially that particular model. Thanks guys!

Okay, so I inherited my grandmother’s ancient sewing machine from the late 40’s- early 50’s, and I have NO idea how to use it! I’m trying to make a cosplay for an anime convention, and I’m very time restricted, so I need to figure this thing out asap! I managed to get it threaded, but when I try to sew anything, the needle will go a few times then stop. What am I doing wrong?

The machine has to sew through denim as I also make denim quilts – do not quilt them but tie them.
I have looked at the Huskavarna, and Janome. I am curious about the White but the Huske store only carries one very basic model (I assume because it is less money?) also curious about the Bernina and Pfaff.
Do you have experience with current models of these brands? Are you unhappy with their performance? Please share good and bad. Thanks,

Hello! I currently have a very old (25+ years) Pfaff machine (given to me as a hand me down by my SIL when she got a new machine). I don’t sew a lot – mostly mending and yearly masquerade costumes for my daughter – sometimes house stuff like pillows and simple decorative things. It is for the most part reliable, but it does seem to get out of tune regularly, and of course, in the middle of a time deadline project right now, it chooses to start skipping stitches big time. The estimates to repair it were coming in at over $100, and the time to do it at over a week, so I started thinking it might be worth it to just get a new machine.

I went online, and read comments, and it seems like a lot of the new machines are cheap plastic, and not sturdy, and not capable of handling heavy fabrics, which I sometimes deal with.

Lucky me, my friend hooked me up with a fellow who visits Hancock fabric stores and fixes machines on the spot, so I am hopeful this immediate issue will be resolved in time to get this current project done, but I am thinking long term.

I am wondering:
1) Are Pfaff machines tempermental?
2) Are there any good new machines that don’t cost big bucks?
3) Am I better off sticking with what I have and just doing regular tuneups?

Thank you for any advice!
Added 7/22/09 – Wow – thanks so much for all the great info and advice. FWIW, please understand I am not a professional seamstress, nor even an avid sewing enthusiast, but then neither am I a totally inexperienced hack. I do understand tension adjustments, correct needle insertion, and different needle types. Also FWIW, my grandmother and great aunt both worked in the NYC garment district in the early 1900’s, my mom sewed all my and her clothes on a treadle machine, and I learned to sew from her and home ec class in the 1970’s.

I will admit to not keeping the machine as clean as I should, it is in a cabinet, but I usually keep it upright and not down in the cabinet and it does get dusty, so a good cleaning is good advice.

And, I am old enough that I appreciate the fact that more fancy features means more things to break down, so I prefer simple non-electronic machines, which is what I have. Plastic is not a bad thing, but it seems more prone to breakage – especially small parts.

I have a old Pfaff (Creative 1471) and I need a piping/welting foot to do piping and welt cord. How do I make sure I get the right one for my specific machine?

I would like to buy a new sewing machine, and I’m not sure what to buy. I need it to be heavy duty; my daughter is in art school and has crazy projects. I’m not sure whether I should buy one with a mechanical or electric motor either. I need to buy this in Montreal, some major brands are Brother, Singer, Pfaff. Thanks a lot, I know this is a tough question.

I am in the market for a new sewing machine. I do basic sewing, mostly clothing for my young children. I do want a high quality machine that will last. I have been looking at several brands and can’t decide. Pfaff, Elna, Janome, Juki, Brother?? If you have had a bad or good experience with any of these please let me know. Thanks!