This is probably the closest I’ve ever come to buying myself a Christmas present. It’s mainly the timing of the purchase that makes it so, therefore I can absolve myself of the feelings of guilt that go with spending money on oneself in December.
Meet my Pfaff 2027. Purchased from Joan MacNeill in Springdale, who also kindly repaired by Bernina 130 (more on that in another entry). I’ve been running through what I typically do work-wise with a machine and have found that this little workhorse does it at least as well as Bernie. It handles metallic and sliver threads beautifully (once you remember the trick about loosening the bobbin screw a tad), quilts like a dream and the dual-feed system (like a built-in walking foot) is actually even more useful than I thought.
Strangely enough, the plastic bobbins are the hardest part to get used to, although I have heard it said that they’re better for a machine than a metal bobbin, as the bobbin will not wear at the machine in the same way if made of plastic. I like the push-in bobbin as I find it gives me better stitch tension than the drop in variety, especially given the fact that I work with a myriad of threads.
John’s reaction? “It’s…. pink.” Okay, I can’t help that part. My defense? Katherine claims “it’s actually magenta,” which somehow sounds less fluffy.
Here’s the machine and what came with it:
It also does some 41 stitches, most of which I admit freely that I’ll never use. There are a few that look promising, though. Might have to fiddle with them a bit and see.
What it does do extraordinarily well is sew evenly through many various layers of fabric, stabiliser, fusible and batting. It had not trouble puncturing thin plastic for me, either, and could sew at almost full-speed using metallic thread without snapping.
The electronic interface is fairly easy to use and was one of the deciding factors for me. I knew I wanted a Pfaff and that I liked how the brand handled as a whole, but I wasn’t keen on the dials and knobs of a mechanical machine, already being used to an electronic interface with the Bernina. Frankly, the dials were driving me nuts. I also like being able to precisely replicate settings for certain tasks and the buttons are easier on my poor little memory than dials.
The foot pedal is tinsy, but extremely sensitive. It’s lightweight, too. The size and weight mean that it definitely needs the non-skid mat or piece of carpet or something underneath, as it’s easy to send it skittering with an inadvertent swing of the foot.
It comes with a bunch of different feet, including a free-motion foot and a 1/4″ foot. I’ve never actually used a 1/4″ foot in 13 years of quilting, so it should be a novel experience.
All-in-all, I am even happier with the performance of this machine than I expected to be and am also extraordinarily happy with the Pfaff service people in this area (Joan MacNeill in Springdale and Marie MacDonald in St. John’s). They not only know their stuff, but are non-pushy and helpful to the Nth degree.
Which is definitively more than I can say for the one authorised Bernina service dealer in town, who not only did not fix my machine entirely, but sent it home with a problem it didn’t have when it went in. A second opinion revealed that the screws on the take-up lever had not been tightened properly, making it impossible to align the needle shank (or anything, for that matter). This repair person tried to convince me that I had been the one responsible for the needle being out of alignment, that I had abused the machine somehow by over-tightening the needle screw (something I never do) and that new parts and more service were necessary ($$$). Remind me to write a post on danger signs and dealer warnings to watch for when having your machine serviced. If you want to know who to avoid in machine servicing in St. John’s, let me know.
Good God, I’d damage myself with that thing, provided I could even find the power button! I’ll stick with computers.
Good for you! A gift that keeps on giving and will bring joy for years to come.
meery xmas to you!
Amazing! That looks like a good friend for years to come. Good for you!
~Meg
I can certainly relate to the pleasure of a new machine. My purchase a number of years ago was not as elaborate as yours but was just as needed and wanted. You’re right, business purchases are guiltfree and can be filled with pleasure. Enjoy!!
Mom
Hi, Thank you for the review on the 2027. I purchased one yesterday to replace my antique Singer and was a little nervous about it. You calmed my fears and can’t wait to start my projects. Would like to make dresses, simple upholstrey projects, and curtains. You have given me confidence that I have purchased the right machine. Also thanks for the tip on the foot pedal. Will anchor it down. Kindest Regards, Roslyn
Thank you for your reply. I mostly use my machine for construction purposes including some quilting. I am very limited with what I have. I have never bought my own machine. Here is the list; a gift (/junk) Brother, a hand-me-down Singer 1952 and a permanently borrowed Hobby Pfaff. I like my (sister’s) toy Pfaff.
The scary factor for me is the term “computerized”. I’ve never owned one and I have no idea about its life span and durability. The dealer mentioned about the cost of the replacement board, and I just…practically fainted! Off we go again for more research. I hope you don’t mind if I have a bit more questions.
Thanks again.
I am just looking at at 2027. How do you feel about it now that you have had it a year?
I am in the process of hunting for a machine to do sewing and quilting. I am now on disability, but I want to create beautiful baby quilts and clothing to give to Moms in need. The 2027 is on the top of my list, but I hadn’t even considered it until I went into a Pfaff store and met a very knowlegable dealer. I am also looking at a Baby Lock, but I haven’t decided on a model.
I learned a lot from the Pfaff dealer that hours of research did not divulge. First, machines are mechanical, electronic, and computerized. Every time you move up a level you add about $300-500. An electronic machine does have some computer type functions, but it is not really a computerized machine unless it has a memory and can connect wired or wireless to a computer. The 2027 falls into the middle category. Don’t forget to check on the warranty on the machine, and ask the dealer how reliable a machine it is and what are the common things that go wrong in the warranty period and is there something that always fails right after the warranty runs out.
When you decide to add another major feature, say embroidery, then you jump up another level, and in the case of embroidery, you are now going computerized. Also the price goes up that $300-500 for every major feature you add to your machine such as lots of stitches, a knee lever on some machines, etc.
The dealer I went to has an excellent trade in plan. If I bring my machine back within 1 year he will give me the price I paid for the 2027 off the MSRP price of the upgraded machine I want next. His prices run about 20% below retail. I think that ithe trade in deal is sweet. Gives me time to master some things before I move on.
There is a good website with a checklist for buying a sewing machine that costs $7.97 and S&H or it is included with some of the other stuff that she sells – http://www.how-to-quilt.com/ I happened to like her Diamond package which is difficult to find as the site map is not very good and there is a lot of description of what you get so here is the package I bought – http://www.how-to-quilt.com/bg-diamond.shtml
I am not endorsing this lady Penny Halgren, because I have just bought the materials, but I got a lot of the pieces downloaded, and could see video clips, and I have learned some things even before I start to learn how to quilt that is going to save me a fortune in time and money. Check out what she is offering for yourself and see what you think.
I think I’ll send an e-mail and tell Penny to come here, because this is the most beautifully designed website that I have been to in a long time, not to mention the fantastic creative art! It has given me great inspiration to try to achieve such beauty and to step out of the box and be different! Thanks, Beth
This is a great site for information about the Pfaff 2027. It came up in my search. I am getting ready to buy a machine and I am overwhelmed! I am just beginning to quilt, although I did a lot of sewing 30 years ago, and have done “repairs” since. Do you still love it??
thank you for your questions…exact same situation as me! and now did you choose the 2027? Would love to hear from you.
THanks, Suzi. Yes, I love the machine more now than I did then. It seems foolproof to me and does whatever I ask it to do without hesitation. I do recommend also picking up one of the Sew Steady extension tables to go with it. I grabbed one at Quilt Canada and have not regretted it one little bit!
Great thread. I’m in the process of choosing a machine to replace/augment my 1970′s Elna and have found a store demo Pfaff 2027. Your experience has helped me make the final decision.
Wow thank you thank you……I am doing what most of you are and trying to upgrade from 70′s singer to a “big girl” machine….I love this thread! I love the break into the computer part of this machine…not really computerized but a place to start as soon that is all there will be to upgrade to. I couldnt be happier reading everyones questions as they are identical to mine…so glad i stumble upon this site…
Have you done much free-motion quilting on your 2027? I find it works fine until I have to change the bobbin then everything goes hay wire and the threads knot underneath the quilt. I seems to happen everytime I start again with a full bobbin, and eventually I get it working again after rethreading several times, turning off and on etc etc, but I’m still none the wiser about what is actually going wrong. Have you had any problems with this?
Thanks
I’ve grown up around sewing machines my whole life, so I know a little about them.