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From: labanai
Date: 01-17-2006, 11:56 AM (1 of 11)
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I am looking at two specific machines, and need some help in knowing how to weigh advantages and disadvantages. You never know if dealers have agendas or if they are really objective. The two machines are the Viking 730 and the Pfaff 2027. One important thing for me is the ease of use because I have carpal tunnel in my right wrist and have some difficulty in flexing it a lot. Of course the IDT feature is nice, but how important is it? More questions may come to mind, but I will go ahead and post this in the meantime. Labanai, in Oregon |
User: labanai
Member since: 01-08-2006 Total posts: 2 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 01-17-2006, 04:45 PM (2 of 11)
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I couldn't do without that little extra foot (IDT). It makes slippery fabric a breeze and is really handy when you are putting in a little ease. Matching stripes and plaids is a lot easier too. Also my Pfaff is a work horse. I love it. I don't know anything about the Viking. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 01-17-2006, 10:02 PM (3 of 11)
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If a dealer sells more than one brand of machine there ARE NO agendas other than selling machines to keep their business. The heavier the machine the more metal used, the longer it will last. The dealer shouldn't HASSLE you into one machine over another..Dealers who want your business will be nice and give you lessons, perks (thread etc.) let you in on sales etc. Look for recalls and bad reports on your machine picks online, before going to the store to test drive. (www.google.com) Advantages come down to what YOU want and NEED. Are you going to be happy with your choice now and for a few yrs, or are you going to want to trade UP. Trading down is easier than trading up. Your dealer should be flexible in trades too. (p.s. if you have carpal tunnel and your wrist no longer flexes correctly you might have a hard time with ANY machine you buy. I had carpal tunnel 23 yrs ago, before it became 'popular'...I recommend the surgery. Not everyone does. But I was a cake decorator and it was the only way to save my hand and my way of life. (trust me...all the therapy in the world is NOT going to help, because once you get it, it may ease up a bit, but you start doing something that agravates it and you're back a square one. My hand curled up in a ball and I could not move it. After a yr of therapy, shots, electrical stimulation etc.) Now my hand is great and I haven't had trouble in all these yrs with it. Yes I did go back to decorating...not a problem. (till arthritis stopped me). Kath's 11 cents (postage went up ya know  )
Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: Pudge99
Date: 01-18-2006, 11:04 AM (4 of 11)
IDT.... VERY important. My Pfaff has it and I LOVE  it. The way I see it is if you buy the other machine eventually you will want to buy the walking foot. That foot will have to be taken off when you don't need it and then put back on when you do, often several times in one garment. With the Pfaff it is just lift the lever and put it back down. Another plus on the Pfaff is they have the best automatic needle threader (my opinion of course). Mine never misses. The Singer embroidery machine I just got on the other hand I have to try three and four times before I get it threaded. Since you have probelms with your wrists I would try threading the needle several times on both machines before deciding.I don't really know anything about the Viking but I do know that my on my Pfaff I have a lot of room to for my hands to move around and hold the fabric I hardly ever bust a knuckle. 
Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 01-18-2006, 12:10 PM (5 of 11)
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Gina -- My needle threader broke almost immediately after I got my machine! I could have had it fixed, of course but I never bothered. I love my Pfaff without it. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: labanai
Date: 01-18-2006, 08:39 PM (6 of 11)
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Sounds like Pfaff is a winner. I do wish someone with a Viking would say what they like or don't like. But maybe someone will..... I thank all of you who did share your thoughts and experience. As far as the carpal tunnel is concerned, Chrys, I was glad to know that someone has had a good experience with the surgery. My brother-in-law had surgery, but did not notice a great deal of improvement. LaVeta, a.k.a. Labanai |
User: labanai
Member since: 01-08-2006 Total posts: 2 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 01-20-2006, 02:33 AM (7 of 11)
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One more vote for the Pfaff, I have an older Pfaff that has never needed anything except a cleaning on occasion and its been through some tough times with me. My next sewing machine will definitely be a Pfaff even though my closest dealer is hours away!
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: MariLynntex
Date: 01-20-2006, 08:53 AM (8 of 11)
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I'm for Pfaff, too. I have a Pfaff 1475Creative Designer that was one of the first electronic machine Pfaff made. So I have had it 11 or 12 years and I have never had a problem with it. I was doing custom sewing when I bought it and it has had almost constant use. I do a lot of freemotion embroidery with it and it does a beautiful job. I also have a serger an old 774 Hobbylock and a Deco 600 embroidery machine which I shouldn't have bought because I never use it! I prefer freemotion and wrote a book about it. MariLynntex |
User: MariLynntex
Member since: 01-05-2006 Total posts: 107 |
From: debsews
Date: 01-20-2006, 09:40 AM (9 of 11)
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I only have Vikings, although not the one you're talking about. I love the dealers i have bought my machines from and I love the Viking line. I think you just have to get on them and see what you prefer. We all have our favorites. I got good deals on my machines and with all the dealer help and lessons it was just a good deal for me. They are sturdy machines, don't need oiling and with a good cleaning and adjustment once a year I've had no problems with any of them. Sewing machines are very personal choices and what works for one person might not work for another. Good luck and you'll love whatever you end up with!! |
User: debsews
Member since: 09-16-2005 Total posts: 254 |
From: sewingrandma
Date: 01-20-2006, 10:43 AM (10 of 11)
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I'll vote for the Viking. I've only owned Vikings, have test driven other brands but it was the Vikings I always went back to. Stitch quality and ease of use is what sold me. I had one for almost 30 yrs before DH convinced me I needed a newer machine. It still runs beautifully and only went to the shop once. During one of our numerous moves, the movers broke the button hole dial. I now own a Lily and wouldn't trade it for anything.
Brockie
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User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003 Total posts: 432 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 01-20-2006, 05:25 PM (11 of 11)
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Pfaff with the IDT is the greatest thing since sliced bread.. It is worth ten times its weight in gold.. I don't own one , but my sister does and I have used it to make her "Mother of the Bride" outfit out of that expensive fabric she purchased and it made it so easy...(Embroidered Organza was the fabric for the jacket, and then she coordinated it with a solid lightweight satin or charmeuse.. It made a gorgeous outfit..I love that Pfaff, but my Janome works so well, that I don't need a machine.. Cannot justify any reason to buy one.. I'm retired and on a fixed income, you know.. I am machine poor now..ROFLMAO...
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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