Bert62
 
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Date: 2/1/11 1:54 AM I've really been wanting a Bernina, probably a 930/1030/1130 Record (nothing new). However, I've always wanted to see how Pfaff's IDT works. Would IDT be so great that it would steer me away from a Bernina? And yes, I still love my Kenmores and am trying to figure out my Viking 6460; I just want a couple more to round out my collections. I already dismantled one last night for spare parts. Thanks for your help. Bert |
diane s
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Date: 2/1/11 3:14 AM I bought a 6460 brand new (which I adored), and now have a Designer 1 and at least 6 vintage machines. my favorite go machine is my mechancal Pfaff 1530. The IDT is such a joy to sew with. It's way better than a walking foot, because you can sew fast, and it isn't in the way. You can still use a zigzag stitch with it. I love the IDT with the zipper foot, when I make yards of cording.
I never use the buttonholes, I use my D1 for that. Also the presser foot pressure is fixed, but I've never felt it was too heavy except for the sheerest of knits. ------
My grandmother taught me to sew when I was 10, and I've been sewing ever since. |
sewfrequent
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In reply to Bert62
Date: 2/1/11 6:09 AM The IDT is a nice feature and compensates well for bernina's heavy pressure especially if you buy a model without that adjustment. Pfaff IDT is great and the main reason to buy one but a great vintage bernina has the elegant and immaculate satin stitch, fabulous buttonholes, amazing feet and good re-sale value. IDT is worth experiencing though so keep an eye out for both. |
Maia B
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Date: 2/1/11 8:07 AM IDT is like an angel's finger guiding your tricky fabric through. Yes, it's worth it! I have a Bernina 930, also fabulous, but I love IDT for piecing and for sewing flannel, plaids/stripes, cordorouy, and anything else that likes to grow or go wonky. ------
🌸 Plenty of machines, mostly Berninas 🌸 |
SouthernStitch
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Date: 2/1/11 1:25 PM Now Bert. What a great question which will generate LOTS of owner loyal responses, lol. I've never had a Pfaff with IDT, but my best sewing buddy would NEVER EVER part with her old Pfaff with IDT. Then, Bernina is known for it's precision in stitching and with the feet - including the walking foot.
I can testify to my modern Bernina's walking foot being sublime, and a far cry from any of the low shank walking feet I've had before. It isn't clunky or noisy, and yes, I can sew fast with it. Not sure if as fast as IDT, but much faster than before. It's truly a piece of art, but very expensive. The vintage Bernina's would take the old style walking foot, and I'm not sure how the older one compares to the new, or what the price would be for a genuine old style Bernina walking foot.
That's the thing to watch with a vintage Bernina. If you find one, it's sooo much better if it comes with a nice set of feet!! Otherwise, you are looking at more $$.
------
Bernina 730E, 530, and 350PE
Singer 221 FW, 403a
When life gives you green velvet curtains, make a green velvet dress. |
M.S.
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Date: 2/1/11 2:13 PM You know the answer...you need both so you can test it out for yourself.
I am glad you asked the question, because I've been considering the same thing. ------
Pfaff 138-6
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aslinnd
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Date: 2/1/11 2:17 PM My first machine was a 2056 which I still have as a backup. I never appreciated the IDT till I sewed with other machines. I think it depends on what sort of sewing you do. For me its a very nice feature but not enough to make me choose a pfaff again when upgrading my combo. Its not a dealbreaker. I think though adjustable foot pressure and presser foot level adjustment features are more important without IDT. |
Bert62
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IN USA
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Date: 2/1/11 2:53 PM Hi.
Thanks for all the great responses.
For now, I'm just piecing pieces together for patchwork pillows, table runners. That's kind of the scope of my sewing. Oh, and mending, mending, mending. I do want to do more, but I want to be good at something before I move on. Sadly, I'll never be on a televised sewing contest where I could act up and be overly obnoxious and full of myself (ask my wife if I'm not already !).
Someone mentioned trying both. That definitely occured to me, but we no longer have a Pfaff dealer, and I would hope to compare a B and a P from the 80's. That's a lot of conditions. Janome's TOL's are supposed to have an identical IDT thing. I don't know if it's really just as good. Bert |
Soolip
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CA USA
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Date: 2/1/11 3:18 PM Vintage Berninas lack adjustable presser foot pressure adjustment, which, for me, caused a whole host of problems. For sewing woven cotten, linen and wool, the 930 was a dream. However, it also marked up taffeta and tore through acetate lining, not to mention stretched some knits out of shape. I like the Pfaff IDT, and think a reliable model with this feature, plus adjustable presser foot pressure, would probably be more versatile than a vintage Bernina. |
ilesliemy
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TX USA
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Date: 2/1/11 5:16 PM I have an older Bernina 1020 without adjustable foot pressure and it is perfect without. It has the knee lift and the heel down foot pedal to raise the needle also. I do most of my sewing on this machine. I also have a 440 and use it mostly for free motion quilting because it has the larger harp (by at least an inch) than the 1020. There is something wonderful about a well running mechanical. I get no extra stitch forward (which only happens sometimes) when using the reverse so it makes it terrific for set in seams or Y seams and gussets. It is quieter also than any of my computerized machines. I had my dealer lighten up my foot pressure on an Activa and it is perfect now also. I don't sew on hard to sew fabrics now as I am mostly a quilter but I have sewed my share of lining fabric in coats and skirts etc. which looks like taffeta with out problems. I have used quite a bit of raw silk with out problems. I had a Pfaff with IDT and did not like the pressure foot lifter on the inside of the harp and while I liked the IDT a great deal on straight seams I did not like it on curves. There is no substitute for going and trying a machine with the things you sew the most. Next if other things seem equal, then love your dealer! ------
Bernina Gal |
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