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Sister Help We need your opinion
anne123184 Advanced Beginner USA Member since 9/29/10 Posts: 110	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/16/13 11:56 AM First of all this website has been very helpful for me. The users are just friendly and very knowledgeable! Well here I go again for another SM comparison - BUT this time it is not for me but for my 37 year old sister in law. After showing her my finished projects and small quilts she was hooked! I think sewing as a hobby might make us closer.. Now I don't mind her borrowing my SMs however it would be great if she can have her own. Her budget is below $2000 only. We limit our choices to the Pfaff QE 4, the Viking Sapphire 875 Q or the topaz 20. Now I know I can read reviews and such but if someone can give me an opinion on to which one would be best for the price please let us know. We are open to all suggestions. However she is not into vintage/used machine.. sister in law is different. This will be her first sewing machine experience and she is very eager to get one this weekend. ------ Live what you preach
kkkkaty   Intermediate UT USA Member since 12/7/05 Posts: 2226	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/16/13 12:04 PM The Topaz was just awarded a Consumer Digest "Best Buy" News release ------ Viking Lily 545 Viking Ruby Bernina Activa 210 Brother 1034d
anne123184 Advanced Beginner USA Member since 9/29/10 Posts: 110	Login to reply to this post In reply to kkkkaty << Like this post Date: 1/16/13 12:11 PM Wow that is good to know. Also if she gets the topaz or sapphire, we can share accessories.. Hmm.. however the pfaff has the IDT and will help her handle fabric.. By the way she did try these machines (and other ones which she didn't like). She couldn't make up her mind so she wanted me to decide. Oh joy. A ------ Live what you preach
PattiAnnJ   Advanced OH USA Member since 12/3/06 Posts: 4982	Login to reply to this post 4 members like this. Date: 1/16/13 12:43 PM A sewing machine experience for a beginner will only be as good as the dealer support. Go with her and expand your search to as many dealers and brands you can find. Tell them what type of sewing is desired but keep the budget out if the conversation. Take notes. Have lunch. Go back to the dealer who was the most helpful. That`s the one to buy from. The dealer should offer lessons and classes, which you could join with her for encouragement as well as meeting others who love to sew. -- Edited on 1/16/13 12:46 PM --
quiltingwolf Advanced MD USA Member since 12/15/02 Posts: 4994	Login to reply to this post In reply to anne123184 << 2 members like this. Date: 1/16/13 1:18 PM I've been really looking at sewing machines lately and I would go with the Pfaff. Right now Pfaff has some of the best values out there for the money. ------ quiltingwolf.blogspot.com
Julkane   Intermediate PA USA Member since 9/14/07 Posts: 442	Login to reply to this post 3 members like this. Date: 1/16/13 2:41 PM I think the IDT on the Pfaff really helps a beginner sewer keep their pieces lined up when sewing. ------ Elna Excellence 740, Pfaff Quilt expression 4.0, Janome 300E, Brother 8500D, Janome 900CPX CoverPro, Brother 5234 Project Runway Serger, Singer Treadle http://juliannasjourney.blogspot.com/
anne123184 Advanced Beginner USA Member since 9/29/10 Posts: 110	Login to reply to this post In reply to Julkane << Like this post Date: 1/16/13 5:58 PM She really liked that feature I should say. However, the viking dealer stated that the topaz is a much better deal since it can do embroidery --- which sister in law is not currently interested with.. Well my SIL thought about it. But this dealer does not have the topaz 20 and mentioned viking is discontinuing it and only have the topaz 30 in stock for right now and in the future.. The topaz is now out of budget.. On Friday I will take her out and we will be dealer hopping/Machine testing.. A ------ Live what you preach
CM_Sews Intermediate CA USA Member since 9/18/04 Posts: 1476	Login to reply to this post In reply to anne123184 << 2 members like this. Date: 1/16/13 6:53 PM I purchased 2 Pfaffs (7570 and 2140) when each model was the TOL for Pfaff. Both have IDT -- which I LOVE -- and both have embroidery capabilities. I have done some embroidery, but I have to admit that I have found that I'm not all that interested. There's a steep learning curve, and that takes away from my limited sewing/quilting time. It's fun and all, but that's not where my main sewing interests are. IF I could do it all over again, I'd consider a machine with NO embroidery functions, but with the other features I want, and then purchase a separate embroidery machine, if I found that I was interested later in doing more embroidery. I love the 2140, I love the IDT and the adjustability of all the settings, I love, love, love sewing on it, but the only time I've used the embroidery function was in my "intro to 2140" class. My point (and I do have one, amazingly enough) is to consider a machine with no embroidery functions. It's not "worth more" if you don't use it. I was dazzled with the idea that an embroidery machine could do anything and everything - the "one machine does it all" concept. Of course I didn't know that embroidery would not become my new passion until I tried it. It IS fun, but I'm much more focused on sewing and quilting. CMC -- Edited on 1/16/13 10:21 PM --
karen149   Intermediate CA USA Member since 3/4/05 Posts: 2516	Login to reply to this post In reply to anne123184 << 1 member likes this. Date: 1/16/13 7:03 PM If you can find a Pfaff Expression 150 Anniversary model, that might be a good choice, too. It has the IDT, of course, and 200 stitches that cover a good range of applications. It does not have gingerbread functions like a knee lever or automatic presser foot lift but is an all around great first machine...and it's closer to $1000.
anne123184 Advanced Beginner USA Member since 9/29/10 Posts: 110	Login to reply to this post In reply to karen149 << 1 member likes this. Date: 1/16/13 7:07 PM She did try that.. She fell inlove with the hover feature.. She actually fell in love with that feature using my viking. So anything with the hover feature she will get in a heartbeat. BUT I WONT give her my machine.. not yet A ------ Live what you preach

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