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Moderated by Sharon1952, EleanorSews
Posted on: 5/19/10 2:49 AM ET
Hi, I have a Pfaff 2046. I was wondering if I really need a walking feet with a sewing machine to make good quality straight stitch. I only make shirts, hem pants/jeans at times. I am looking at the Babylock Quest Plus, Janome 6600, and the Juki F600.
I made another thread about where it's made, but I also had another related question. The Juki F600 doesn't have an integrated walking feet...so do I really need it. I used it on my Pfaff 2046 all the time, but I wonder why other sewing machines like the Husqvarna Viking and other companies don't have walking feet on their machines? If I had my choice, I would buy the Janome 7700, but it's too much money... $1500 is the most I want to pay. I hope Janome makes a cheaper version of the 7700.
I made another thread about where it's made, but I also had another related question. The Juki F600 doesn't have an integrated walking feet...so do I really need it. I used it on my Pfaff 2046 all the time, but I wonder why other sewing machines like the Husqvarna Viking and other companies don't have walking feet on their machines? If I had my choice, I would buy the Janome 7700, but it's too much money... $1500 is the most I want to pay. I hope Janome makes a cheaper version of the 7700.
Posted on: 5/19/10 3:38 AM ET
In reply to fes
Some industrial or semi industrial machines have a built in walking foot. Pfaff used to have the patent for the IDT..(Integrated Dual Technology) or as said..a built in walking foot on their machines for home use but after having this patent for years, the patent expired. So now we see other brands of machines that have this built in feature like Janome, Elna and Bernina's big 8 serie's and there will probably be more machines to come that also have it.
I have 4 different brands of machines and I do think that all have good stitch quality but I think that I do have to say that my Pfaff with IDT has the best over all. My Pfaff is my only mechanical machine but it also has a straight stitch capability of 6mm in length where I think my other machines only have the max. length of 5mm.
I do like a long straight straight stitch on a machine for top stitching and other things and I would love to have a Brother Pro Quilter 1500S or the identical Babylock Quilter's Pro as both have a maximum 7mm long straight stitch.
-- Edited on 5/19/10 3:40 AM --
I have 4 different brands of machines and I do think that all have good stitch quality but I think that I do have to say that my Pfaff with IDT has the best over all. My Pfaff is my only mechanical machine but it also has a straight stitch capability of 6mm in length where I think my other machines only have the max. length of 5mm.
I do like a long straight straight stitch on a machine for top stitching and other things and I would love to have a Brother Pro Quilter 1500S or the identical Babylock Quilter's Pro as both have a maximum 7mm long straight stitch.
-- Edited on 5/19/10 3:40 AM --
Posted on: 5/19/10 5:26 AM ET
In reply to fes
Firstly, yes, I think IDF is a great tool to make a good quality straight stitch.
Are you looking to get rid of your Pfaff 2046? Why?
Are you looking to get rid of your Pfaff 2046? Why?
Posted on: 5/19/10 7:52 AM ET
I have the 2056 with IDT and a Janome & Brother without it, I do think IDT makes a difference how evenly it feeds without alot of adjustment but I can't say the quality of the adjusted stitches are that much better or worse overall, you just have to do a bit more with foot pressure and/or walking foot to get the same even feed. to me its more ease of use rather than stitch quality but I may not really be experienced enough to say.
Posted on: 5/19/10 8:20 AM ET
I have other brands that feed fabric extremely well without the IDT so I don't feel I'm missing anything by not having it. My Elna uses a similar "accufeed" foot based on the same principal but attaching that foot is no more or less trouble than attaching a walking foot. It IS more nimble with better visibility than a walking foot would be. My machine is Elna's version of the 6600. The foot is wider and futzier to use than pfaff's small pull-down device but i think it works better than Pfaff on heavier seams such as when applying binding to a quilt edge and better for straight-line quilting. I would prefer Pfaff's IDT if sewing light-weight/delicate items.
-- Edited on 5/19/10 8:21 AM --
-- Edited on 5/19/10 8:21 AM --
Posted on: 5/19/10 9:17 AM ET
A walking foot, integrated or otherwise, is helpful for even feeding — on any machine. It does not affect the quality of the stitches.
Posted on: 5/19/10 9:20 AM ET
In reply to Soolip
That's what I was just about to say. 
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"I base my fashion sense on what doesn't itch." — Gilda Radner
http://stitchesandseams.blogspot.com
"I base my fashion sense on what doesn't itch." — Gilda Radner
http://stitchesandseams.blogspot.com
Posted on: 5/19/10 11:04 AM ET
I have a Pfaff and several other machines. I use the Pfaff for projects that would require a walking foot. I really don't like using a walking foot because it's noisy, bulky and the one I have doesn't allow zigzag stitching. With my Pfaff I can make piping, put in zippers, use a zigzag while engaging the IDT
Is there a reason you don't like your Pfaff?
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Is there a reason you don't like your Pfaff?
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My grandmother taught me to sew when I was 10, and I've been sewing ever since.
Posted on: 5/19/10 12:09 PM ET
Agree that the IDT does not affect stitch quality. That's not its purpose, its intent was even feeding and I do think it helps there (conversely sometimes I deliberately disengaged it as sewing without would gather up a sheer as needed or gently ease a heavy wool jacket sleevecap). I recently switched from a Pfaff 2144 to a Bernina as my go to machine as I prefer the stitch of the latter. I do not use a walking foot, hate them. I'd say I am willing to use a couple other techniques to ensure perfect plaid/stripe matching if needed as I prefer the straight stitch on this machine. Luckily I have DD's mechanical Pfaff here with IDT if I really need it but haven't pulled it out yet... But, after having worked sometime for a Pfaff/Brother/BL dealer I'd say that if you have some questions about your stitch quality, see a good dealer, not an IDT issue.
To whoever said they'd like the Brother 1500S - I was so lucky my dealer/employer gave me a great price on one of these a customer traded in that was virtually brand new, I LOVE LOVE LOVE that machine! I never thought I'd see a modern machine with as perfect a straight stitch as my old Singer 99K but this is perfecter! And sloooooow single stitch precision or pedal to the metal perfect stitching. My first project on it was making flags for a h.s. colorguard team, hundreds of yards of flat fell seams, many of them joining poly silky fabric bias cut to bias cut lame, and narrow hemming points at 45 degree angles - perfect feed (pin feed) and stitches and even those tiny points could be stitched right to the end without pulling fabric into throat plate. Did I mention how much I like this machine?! And the 7mm stitches are a great basting feature.
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To whoever said they'd like the Brother 1500S - I was so lucky my dealer/employer gave me a great price on one of these a customer traded in that was virtually brand new, I LOVE LOVE LOVE that machine! I never thought I'd see a modern machine with as perfect a straight stitch as my old Singer 99K but this is perfecter! And sloooooow single stitch precision or pedal to the metal perfect stitching. My first project on it was making flags for a h.s. colorguard team, hundreds of yards of flat fell seams, many of them joining poly silky fabric bias cut to bias cut lame, and narrow hemming points at 45 degree angles - perfect feed (pin feed) and stitches and even those tiny points could be stitched right to the end without pulling fabric into throat plate. Did I mention how much I like this machine?! And the 7mm stitches are a great basting feature.
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Posted on: 5/19/10 2:13 PM ET
Karen, if you don't ever want that Brother 1500S just toss it down here LOL. I have wanted one for a long time now.
I posted that all 4 of my different brand machines have very nice stitch quality. They also all feed well but I did state that my Pfaff seems to have the best over all. The reason that I said this..I have made many pairs of flannel pj's for my dgk's using the same pattern, same weight flannel and there is such a difference when maid on my Pfaff.
This does not seem to be just a one time fluke. I have noticed this many times. Especially around top stitched cuffs etc. The stitching just appears stronger..even as compared to when using the same threads on my other machines with the same fabrics.
All machines stitched well, nice stright stitches etc... but the Pfaff gave a more professional look. So..go figure?? I have no clue as to why (maybe the IDT?) but it is a noticeable difference. My Pfaff is my only mechanical machine..it is also my only machine with a front load bobbin..but it has a rotary hook as do my other machines with the top loading bobbin.
-- Edited on 5/19/10 2:19 PM --
I posted that all 4 of my different brand machines have very nice stitch quality. They also all feed well but I did state that my Pfaff seems to have the best over all. The reason that I said this..I have made many pairs of flannel pj's for my dgk's using the same pattern, same weight flannel and there is such a difference when maid on my Pfaff.
This does not seem to be just a one time fluke. I have noticed this many times. Especially around top stitched cuffs etc. The stitching just appears stronger..even as compared to when using the same threads on my other machines with the same fabrics.
All machines stitched well, nice stright stitches etc... but the Pfaff gave a more professional look. So..go figure?? I have no clue as to why (maybe the IDT?) but it is a noticeable difference. My Pfaff is my only mechanical machine..it is also my only machine with a front load bobbin..but it has a rotary hook as do my other machines with the top loading bobbin.
-- Edited on 5/19/10 2:19 PM --
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