| Pfaff:Creative Performance (Sewing Machine) | | Viewed 1825 time(s) |
2 more reviews for this machine | Review rated Helpful by 1 people Very Helpful by 16 people | | Reviewed by: | Dawnabbey | 
 | About Dawnabbey | | IN USA | | Member since: 12/18/10 | | Reviews written: 11 | | Sewing skills:Expert/Couture | | Favored by: 2 people | | sewing machines reviewed: 5 | | Bio: more... |
| | Posted on: | 12/17/12 3:01 PM | | Approx price paid: | $4500 | | Had this machine for: | 3 months | | Recommended? | Yes | | Online Merchants: | Amazon.com | 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
- Differential Feed
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Discuss Sewing Machines with PR members Sewing Machine Forum | | What Dawnabbey likes about this machine
I am writing this review a bit early in the hope that those who are looking to buy for Christmas will at least have an idea of what they are getting. There is a thread called The Purple Haze that goes through just about everything for this machine but I wanted to simplify the reading a bit. I have named this purple beauty Pfyodor as he is German and a gift from God (the literal meaning of his name). I bought him in November with the 60 months of no interest financing from Pfaff.
For the sake of clarity I use this machine for garments, home dec, quilting and crafts. I did buy a bundled deal that added some extra hoops etc. so I could get full use of my machine and will break this review down by topic. I use Pfyodor everyday without a problem and he is a genuine workhorse.
Garments
When it comes to garment sewing Pfyodor cannot be beat. My Bernina 932 Record is a great everyday machine but was built before stretchy fabrics became as popular as they are now. Pfyodor understands different stitches and is able to cope very well with every fabric I have tried thus far. I use the embroidery unit to embellish garments for Christmas presents and it works perfectly. The large embroidery unit comes with the ability to use hoops up to 360 mm x 350 mm and also can be used with the Pfaff endless hoops for borders on skirts and dresses as well as home decor.
Home decor
I have only used Pfyodor for drapes so far but the huge space to the right of the needle was really a treat. I plan to make cushions and window coverings for the whole house this winter and will update as I go. The drapes were fine and fittingly, purple.
Quilting
This is the main reason I bought Pfyodor. I have been using the machine everyday for quilting and I have a few things to say. IDT is louder than regular stitching so my bernina is a LOT quieter. The super wide feed dogs are fine but I prefer to piece on the Bernina, partly because it is set into a table and the flat surface makes it easier for me. Once the blocks are made though, it is time to move over to Pfyodor since the space to the right of the needle is almost double that of my Bernina. It is perfectly possible, I should note to make beautiful quilts on these old machines by dividing up the quilt into sections, I just don't care to do it that way. I should also say that I hate free motion quilting so Pfyodors ability to quilt in the hoop was an essential part of my decision to purchase. I made a crib sized quilt to learn on before attempting a full sized one. I used single run patterns from Embroidery Library to quilt and a busy print on the back with dark bobbin thread so any thread nubbins can't be seen. I used the handlook stitch with invisible thread for some parts and regular stitches for the rest. The machine can use ANY stitch at all, even button holes, in embroidery mode. The results were stunning. Hands down this is the best, absolutely the best, quilting I have ever not done (since the machine did all the work). The back of the quilt looks fine and Pfyodor moved through the quilt sandwich like a hot knife through butter. No bungled threads, no choking just pure perfection time after time.
Crafting
As part of my bundle I got the couching kit and the cut work kit. WOW. Pictures say a thousand words so maybe the videos tell this best but the couching is so pretty. I have not used the cutwork yet but plan to make some articles for my church with it and will update thereafter.
In conclusion, the machine offers everything I needed for a price I could afford. I did a side by side comparison with the Brother V series Dreamweaver and the pfaff came out ahead for me each time, but that is just personal taste. The Dreamweaver looks like a great machine, it just wasn't what I needed and the $1500 price difference sealed the deal. I do recommend that you make sure to purchase from a reputable dealer. I bought mine 5 hours away in Paducah AKA the quilt capital of the universe since I go there 1-2 times per year.
UPDATE 2/22/2013: since I wrote this a bit early I wanted to add some additional feedback. As reported on the Purple Haze, Pfyodor and I had a bit of a tiff as he staunchly refused to do what I wanted. Then I discovered that no machine on the market could pull off my desired technique so I felt better, bought presents for the Purple Prince and have been cheerfully using him daily. A note about embroidery. The machine can handle huge fields, much bigger than most machines and this means that needle changes need to be done by stitch count not by design. On my little Brother PE770 I used to change my needle every so often but Pfyodor likes a fresh needle more often. Also, since he does not automatically cut the jump threads on the designs from outside vendors I trim these carefully to prevent choking hazards or use the included software to add a jump cut. Finally, I believe in being kind to my machine and when stitching up a complex, multi-layered design from Anita Goodesign etc I lower the tension, top and bobbin, to accommodate the layers of thread. I also use thread tension setting 2.4 when using metallic thread. This is really important to prevent breakage. All in all he has created some real wonders for me, I just had to learn how to help him along with tension, and experiment with stabilizer. I prefer Vilene water soluble now. Other brands are fine but this one gave the best results.
What Dawnabbey does not like about this machine
The only thing I don't like is the needle threader. As I get older these fiddley things are harder for me to use. It has the same needle threader as my Brother CS6000i which cost a LOT less. I am not sure how much extra a fully automatic needle threader would cost but I wish they had included it. I don't mind the noise since the machine is much more powerful than my 932 Record but some people might find it annoying. The price for Pfaff embroidery designs is a bit steep, I buy elsewhere most of the time except when there is a really good sale. | *LOGIN to add a comment to this review
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Thanks for a really nice review. :) Many happy years of sewing on your new lovely Pfaff.
12/17/12 3:35 PM
Thanks for your very informative review. I am considering this machine and would want to sew stretch jersey fabric on it. Have you made anything in this fabric yet and if so how did you find it?
12/17/12 4:47 PM
Great review. And I agree with it all! My Purple Beauty is noisy as well, I have gotten used to it. Everything she does is worth putting up with a little noise!
12/17/12 7:46 PM
Terrific review! I'm so glad your Pfyodor is doing his job so well! :)
12/17/12 8:19 PM
Julsmalham, I own this machine as well, and mostly sew knits. The PCP is superb, no problems whatsoever. I have a couple of knit tops posted that my PCP (Panzy) made. The IDT is simply a must-have tool when it comes to sewing knits.
12/17/12 8:21 PM
Super review! The CP is clearly a winner!
12/17/12 8:33 PM
Julsmalham, I use a serger for most knits however to answer your question, I went to Pfyodor with some ITY, the great beast of the deep when it comes to sewing. Even in the fashion industry in Toronto this stuff was a nightmare for production. I sewed it without IDT, then with. All I can say is when sewing ITY USE IDT!! Lol. It does a love.y job. Just a word of advice though, my knitwear instructor at design college always insisted that using a tiny zigzag stitch on knits was the best way to sew them outside the factory. Twenty plus years later, I still agree. The tiny zigzag done with IDT is as close to perfect you will get on this side of the pacific with a domestic machine. I recommend this machine to anyone in the market for one, just make sure you have a good dealer! When I mentioned sewing stretchy fabrics I meant fleece and other non-ravelling types, sorry for the confusion. :)
12/18/12 10:18 AM
Thanks Mufffet
12/18/12 10:19 AM
Thanks for this review! I am very interested in your use of the embroidery unit for quilting in the hoop. I am thinking of purchasing a new machine, and would love to know what features you considered important for quilting in the hoop, and if you looked at any other machines. Thanks! Beth
12/18/12 3:27 PM
Dawnabby and LynnRowe, thankyou for your replies. I have been searching for a new machine for nearly a year, but none of the machines I've tried have been satisfactory when it comes to knits. I am going to find a dealer who has this machine to test drive. It sounds like a really good machine from what I have read. Not sure that I need embroidery function but at least I would be able to add that at a later stage if I decided too. When I have the time I will read "all" the pages of the PCP Love Thread and have a look at what you've all been making on this machine!
12/18/12 4:27 PM
Hi Beth, Thanks for your query. I looked at the Janome 12K, 11K SE, Brother Dreamweaver and the Pfaff Creative Sensation. I tried all these machines except the Brother which I just did a side by side comparison of the features since I already own 2 Brother machines. The key feature with the Creative line is the ability to use endless hoops. With all the other machines I would have had to make a significant investment into hoop-it-all hoops or magna hoops to achieve the same results. The Pfaff Creative Endless Hoop and the Endless Hoop (two different sizes) are ideal for quilters who want to do the look of free-motion or long arm quilting without the work. By using the endless hoop and a design from Pfaff or a design that has been adjusted in a software such as Embrilliance, I can whip down the sides of the quilt in no time. I can roll the quilt into the special "C" space on the hoop and do sashes. I can also quilt the blocks (but not all the way in on a queen or king). Furthermore, by learning (this took time and I am still working on it) how to use the Grand Dream Hoop, I will be able to get an entire king size quilt done in a very short period of time depending on the complexity of my designs. The more complex the design, the longer it takes. I also liked the quick release mechanism and the ease with which the hoops load into place.Also, the Pfaff was designed from the beginning with this technique in mind and actually one of the projects for learning how to use the machine is a quilt done in the hoop. Finally the Pfaff allows me to stack my stitches and use every single stitch in the hoop. So, although al the other machines have a hand look stitch, it cannot be used in the hoop which means either straight lines or free motion (which I hate). The Pfaff allows me to use the hand look stitch, which is essentially using clear thread on the top, contrast on the bobbin and a special stitch that makes it look like a running hand stitch. I can take the 9 mm stitches and make them larger in embroidery mode for the cutest, sweetest little borders ever :) I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have more questions. I recommend this machine to anyone - not just for the embroidery, price or IDT but because it was so thoughtfully made. God Bless and Merry Christmas!
12/18/12 11:26 PM
Thank you for a very nice, detailed review. I have the Creative Vision and a mechanical 1540 with IDT and love them. This is a great line. Enjoy your machine. May it bring you many happy hours of sewing. And Merry Christmas to you, too.
12/19/12 8:55 AM
Wow, thanks. I never thought of using the creative/endless hoop to do quilt borders. That's a great idea, and I have a small quilt top just sitting and waiting for inspiration to try it on. ;)
12/19/12 12:32 PM
Thank you Dawnabbey for your detailed reply about quilting in the hoop! I have been seriously considering a Viking Ruby, do they have anything similar to the Pfaff Creative Performance? I don't have a Pfaff dealer nearby...I mostly do garment sewing, but would do a little more quilting if there was a nice and fun way to do it with my main sewing machine. Thanks again!! Beth
12/19/12 2:37 PM
The Viking Ruby is essentially the same machine. You will have the same range of choices as far as hoops goes based upon what I read online but I could be wrong. I didn't go with them because I had a very bad experience with Husquavarna/Viking years again when I bought my first TOL and I promised myself I would never buy from them again. It all comes down to the dealer. That was just my personal experience and I know there are LOTS of happy Viking owners out there. Good Luck!
12/19/12 3:03 PM
Dawnabbey, Thanks for your reply! Are you able to quilt a large quilt, or do you have to quilt it block by block and then put it together with sashing? Or do you quilt long rows and then get the rows together? And do you need to spray baste your quilt first? I have been searching the web and sewing sites for this information, and even took a Craftsy.com class that included one lesson on this topic. The instructor said you had to use the embroidery machine to quilt in long rows, and the back would have a lot of cut threads on it. Thanks ever so much for answering my questions, I am really trying to understand what I will be able to do before buying a machine. Beth
12/19/12 10:11 PM
Hmmmm. "C" all of the above, Beth. If it is a whole cloth quilt, then I just stick the thing in and go. So far I have been hand basting - my OCD kicking in, my quilts prior to hooping but I am ASSURED by many that the spray basting works and will not gunk up my machine. The backs of my quilts do not have a lot of threads since I use single run designs for quilting but I do get the occasional nubbin. I use busy prints on the back and you can't see the nubbins at all. Good luck!
12/20/12 4:40 PM
Great review, thank you!
1/13/13 11:24 PM
I just bought the CP. Thanks for the info about thread and tension.
2/12/13 3:24 PM
Great review thank you!!! I was on this machine today and was pretty darn impressed. A couple of questions for you...when you quilt using the embroidery function do you hoop all three layers? or set it on top of the hoop and go? Also can you be in an embroidery pattern, embroidering and remove your fabric from the hoop, turn off the machine and be able to come back to where you were in the pattern on the fabric?? That always amazes me. Is marrying up a split design difficult with this machine? Thanks so much again for a great review!!
3/12/13 0:38 AM
I was on this machine today and was pretty darn impressed. A couple of questions for you...when you quilt using the embroidery function do you hoop all three layers? (A) Yes I hoop all three layers. I do not use stablilizer but I do starch the #*%$^ out of my tops as I go. or set it on top of the hoop and go? Also can you be in an embroidery pattern, embroidering and remove your fabric from the hoop, turn off the machine and be able to come back to where you were in the pattern on the fabric?? (A) YES. I have done this several times for very complex designs that were burning the midnight oil. Simply write down the stitch number and the machine will go back to that spot. HOWEVER! The design should be in the default position. Finding the exact spot the next day could be really trying on the nerves. That always amazes me. Is marrying up a split design difficult with this machine? YES. as is the case with all machines. It is relatively simple if one is working with a design from Pfaff designed for the Grand Dream Hoop but I used a design from Anita Goodesign and I struggled a lot. I used Embird Software to enlarge then split the design but I had a really hard time with it. I learned a lot though and I know the next one will be easier. Like anything it is a learning process.
3/19/13 8:13 PM
loved this review. I have been thinking of getting another machine. I have a 1222E, have had a 7570 then 2170. Heard that the 2170 is junk and have had some problems with machine sewing built in designs stretched out so they don't meet up with prev. stitches. One of the same problems with the 2170. So does PCP have this problem? Don't think I should have to adjust stitch on machine to try to get it right even then is doesn't always work.
4/3/13 9:07 PM
Does this machine, the creative performance, have precise positioning for embroidery? I have a 2170 and am thinking of an upgrade. Thanks.
4/28/13 5:16 PM