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| Pfaff:Quilt Expression 4.0 (Sewing Machine) | | Viewed 1499 time(s) |
8 more reviews for this machine | Review rated Helpful by 3 people Very Helpful by 12 people | | Reviewed by: | williamsgram | 
 | | About williamsgram | | WA USA | | Member since: 3/1/09 | | Reviews written: 1 | | Sewing skills:Advanced | | sewing machines reviewed: 1 | | Bio: more... |
| | Posted on: | 6/30/09 10:41 PM | | Approx price paid: | $2499 | | Had this machine for: | 3 Months | | Recommended? | No |  | Features
- Computerized
- Needle Threader
- Needle Up/Down Setting
- Embroidery Stitches
- One step buttonhole
- Drop-In bobbin
- Free Arm
- Adjustable Stitch Length and Width
- Adjustable Presser Foot Pressure
- Adjustable Needle Position
- Embroidery Machine
- Auto Threading
| | What williamsgram likes about this machine
After having my Elna machine for 25 years, I decided to make a big leap and get into the computerized sewing age. After reading reviews, it seemed the Pfaff machines had the features that I wanted so I went to my local store and checked them out. I ended up with the Quilt Expression because of it's open arm space and large deck for sewing quilts. I also bought the quilting add on kit with the nice table and free arm foot. It sews beautifully (when it sews) and I LOVED the automatic start and stop with the needle down feature. Also the automatic thread cutter was really fun. The stitches are easy to program and change size with the computerized window. It is a very easy machine to learn to use. What williamsgram does not like about this machine
The computer brain in this machine is extremely flaky and unreliable. After sewing for a day or so, the machine stopped, beeped, then moving the presser foot up about 2 inches and gave me the message "Fabric too thick". I was sewing two pieces of cotton fabric together! I tried pressing buttons, cleaning the bobbin, rethreading. The only thing that worked was to turn it off and let it sit a few minutes and then turn it back on. It would sew for about 30 minutes and then do it again. I took the machine to the dealer the next night and couldn't get it to do then. So I took it home, where it proceeded to screw up again. I took it back and they sent it to the service center who also failed to replicate the problem. I then took it to the owner class on a Saturday and after sewing a little while it started acting up. They immediately traded out another of the same machine and put that one on the floor. They ended up sending it back to the service center where it is still waiting for a new motherboard from Germany. Meanwhile....back at the ranch.... the machine they gave me started acting up. This one gets the tension all out of whack every time there is the smallest piece of thread in the scissor cutting area. I spent a whole Saturday trying to sew with it and was in tears by the end of the day. After I calmed down, I packed it all back in the box and put it in my trunk where I wouldn't have to look at it. I took it back today and they are going to trade me straight across for the 2170 plus accessories. Hopefully that one will work out better although the reviews here have been 50/50. I also agree with the reviewers who said the Pfaff website is less than helpful and their customer service needs to learn the meaning of the word "service." | *LOGIN to add a comment to this review
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| Reader Comments | | karen149 | 6/30/09 | Sorry to hear about your bad experience. It's too bad Pfaff has gone this direction under the new ownership. | | * * * | | poorpigling | 6/30/09 | I am afraid that the new pfaffs are not the same machines as the older pfaffs..as a pfaff owner I regret what is happening with pfaff..who knows what their future is.. | | * * * | | sarads | 6/30/09 | Thank you for your honest review, I was thinking of this one myself.
I will look elsewhere! Thanks, Donna | | * * * | | Mufffet | 7/1/09 | It sounds like your dealer is really trying to get you a machine you can enjoy and that works for you! Compared to some of the other experiences people have written about with several brands in the past year or so I would say you are getting pretty good attention to this problem, but I can surely relate to your pain and your unhappiness with a machine that seems to be a dream machine and that you have had such frustration using. I hope the 2170 is really nice and you enjoy sewing on it. | | * * * | | SilviaS | 7/1/09 | Sorry to hear about your experience. I also purchased this machine - same model - about 2 months ago. I havenīt had much time yet to sew lately but mine seems to work pretty well so far. Once I had more time to discover this machine , I will write a review. I also have a Pfaff 7570 and 2020 - both are very reliable machines, purring along for years without any problems ( both were still made in Germany). I bought this new one actually without the need for a new machine but wanted the bigger sewing area and x-tra light. So far it has been doing well and sews beautifully. The stitches are very nice also the button holes - but I noticed the top loading is much more sensitive than my other 2 machines which have the regular bobbin case I prefer......there is the need with the new line to clean it out almost after each use..... I truly hope that the 2170 will work out for you. Will check back after a few months of sewing with the new Expression for a review........ | | * * * | | mech | 7/1/09 | I also think the new style Pfaff w/drop in bobbin are not as good as the old style - I'm sure you will be much happier with the 2170! | | * * * | | williamsgram | 7/1/09 | Thank you everyone. I really appreciate the supportive comments. I will write a review of the 2170 after I have used it for awhile. Cross your fingers it will be much more positive! :-) | | * * * | | Sewwolf | 7/1/09 | I hope they resolve this for you. When you pay this kind of money you expect everything to be perfect as it should be. | | * * * | | my_seamstress | 7/1/09 | This is why I hope I never am forced to buy a computerized machine. I would tear out all my hair. Good luck, & thanks for the "heads up." I looked at a non-computerized Pfaff Select 4.0. The sales ppl all try to move me to computerized. I am sticking with my good ole Kenmore mechanical for now. | | * * * | | SLJones | 7/2/09 | I'm sorry to hear about your bad experience with the machine. I strongly recommend that you buy an uninterruptable power supply (battery back-up, in computer terms). Computerized sewing machines are VERY susceptible to 'dips' in electricity. Many people think that a serge suppressor is all that they need--wrong! The UPS will keep voltage constant and, most of the time, will eliminate the 'gremlins' that sometimes occur when the power drops. I teach sewing machine owner's classes at our local Pfaff dealer, so I have 'seen it all'. I used to see all kinds of strange things happening to machines when I would teach my 2140-70 classes. The store couldn't explain it. After some research, the store found out that the city power fluctuated (called dirty electricity). When the store bought the UPSs for the store, 90% of the problems went away. You can buy one of these at your local office supply store, or at BestBuy. Just remember to tell them that you want a battery backup for your computer. If you say sewing machine, they will give you a blank look and tell you they don't have one. They cost about $45, but have 8 outlets on them, so you can plug your other machine(s) into it. Make sure your iron is not on the same circuit as your sewing machine. You may have to run an extension cord from another room in order to do this. I hope all of you who own computerized machines will heed this advice. As far as Pfaff quality is concerned, all mid-level Pfaff and Viking machines are now made in China! Only the top of the line are made in Sweden. The earlier Expressions were made in Europe. The dealers are not too happy about this--the quality control is not what we have come to expect from the Pfaff line. I hope you will give your machine another try with the UPS. Oh, regarding the bobbin case, make sure you hear the little 'click' when you pull the bobbin thread through the guide in the bobbin case. There is a little check spring that the thread has to pass through in order for the bobbin tension to be correct. I hold the bobbin so that it can't move, slide the thread into the slot at the front of the bobbin case and pull it to the left until I hear the click. Then, I pull the thread up to the guide in the light gray piece, then down to the cutter. I slide the bobbin case cover (clear) into place, then pull on the thread tail to cut the bobbin thread. | | * * * | | MaddyGranMa | 7/2/09 | My heart goes out to you for the loss of heart during what should have been a wonderful, exciting new experience. I regularly read through machine reviews and wish that we could create a daily "digest" of all our experiences to send to dealers across the US & Canada. Maybe if they realize that every good experience and every bad experience is being broadcast to a database of what might be their best clients, they would give themselves an overhaul before they claim that the machine needs one! Great job sticking to it, good luck going forward! | | * * * | | lady a | 7/2/09 | thanks for the information. have been thinking about about getting this machine but from your problems with it will pass it up. dealer is too far away and i want sew, not go. | | * * * | | SilviaS | 7/3/09 | SLJones good point!! I almost forgot about the power supply problems with high tech equipment ...we live in Vanuatu and have problems with power irregularities. First, I tried to sew with my 7570 without protection and the electronics went crazy. My husband bought a UPS and it solved the problem without permanent damage to my favourite machine. We now run all of our high techs through a UPS. Still, during a t-storm, it is very important to unplug everything to protect the machinery......the new machines do soo much and come with heaps of options to make sewing life comfortable but they are very sensitive to power dips. So far we lost a DVD player, tuner, 2 computers - and my washing machine is running with the third motherboard !!
Good luck to you all......... | | * * * | | Deb74 | 7/3/09 | Thank you!!! You just saved me a lot of trouble...I will look elsewhere for a new SM. | | * * * | | bettepage | 7/24/09 | note: all computerized machines need to be plugged into a UPS (uninterruptible power supply). The fact that you had two machines exhibit this error is a sign that your juice from the wall is unstable and a sensitive machine like this will be affected and act up. More than ever these sophisticated TOL machines ARE computers that sew, not the other way around. My friends with Bernina, Viking and Pfaff TOLs have all solved 'flakiness' problems by using a UPS. | | * * * |
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