Comments on: Bernina, Viking, Pfaff, Oh My! (Updated)

By: Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 21:02:58 +0000

I have owned a Singer Touch and Sew, Viking 6570 ( passed on to y daughter-in-law), a Singer Featherweight and a Pfaff 7570 and a Janome 6600P. The Singer has nylon gears and didn’t last. My Featherweight has a great stitch and I was able to use a Viking shank and 1/4 inch foot on it for quilting. It travels with me. The Pfaff is a little fussier on tension, but the dual feed is awesome. The Janome is y back-up and has a long throat. It gives a lot of bang for the buck.
I am now looking for either a 6570 Viking or a Bernina 830 for my daughter. They are heavy, metal machines which last and should be fine for my granddaughter to learn on.

By: Billie Kay

Billie Kay — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 15:30:56 +0000

I have a 30 + year old Berninia 830. I will NEVER trade it in. It sells on Ebay for the same price I bought it new in 1975. I have never had it serviced, I am able to care for it my self, with regular oiling and cleaning. I am now buying a Janome 6500 trade up from a lower model. I feel it is the best on the market for the price. But what really sold me was the dealer & his friendly service. Computerized is going to take more service I’m SURE. thanks for all internet Feedback Helps alot. BK

By: JoAnn McNeill

JoAnn McNeill — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 10:59:34 +0000

Hi:
Thanks for the info. after much searching I finnaly found a review on Bernina. Where did you find the info about outsourcing of the embroidery machines?? I have a Bernina 430 which has the embroidery module and have had no end of problems with the embroidery and then the regular sewing if the embroidery stops…I have tried getting my money back when was under full warranty or a letter stating it is in perfect running order so I can sell it and no luck. Even contacted Switzerland as well as the store I bought it in, area head office in Toronto, and Head Office in Montreal. I’m glad you did not purchase a Bernina.
Thanks for the inf.
JoAnn

By: Evidently » Blog Archive » He Said: The Embroiderer Strikes Back

Evidently » Blog Archive » He Said: The Embroiderer Strikes Back — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 04:39:29 +0000

[...] 1: Sewing Machine Wars When the dust settled we had learned the truth! Viking was indeed Pfaff’s father! Of course, we also learned that Elna had moved to the [...]

By: J

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 00:27:02 +0000

I am a big fan of the Pfaff machines. I have owned many brands and Pfaffs have never let me down. I just purchased the new Pfaff and looked at all the big brands. To the Elna person: There are no real Elnas anymore they are made by Janome and Singer. The Janome is nice but the new one has some bugs to work out. The Bernina seemed great but I found the 2 floor models had tension issues and I had to constantly adjust for it (this is not automatic tension). The Viking was wonderful but, OMG the price tag. I could buy a new car! So I bought the Pfaff and have no regrets.

By: Liz

Liz — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 22:48:45 +0000

Not only is finding the right brand for you important but finding the right dealer for you is also important. People don’t understand that when buying a sewing machine you must also consider who you are buying from. Eventually, you’ll go back for service, classes, and support for your sewing machine. My advice, regardless of which you buy, is make sure you like and trust your dealer. My preference is Pfaff.

By: pam

pam — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 08:07:24 +0000

I’m a Bernina girl myself. I have two, an older 1260 and a 180, love the older one best. I think any of the top models of Bernina, Pfaff, Elna, Viking will serve you well. (Bernina, Bernina, Bernina)

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Bernina is the Rolls Royce of sewing machines. And I’m a champagne kind of girl… but, Bernina will have to be my NEXT machine. You know, when I’m 60. ~W

By: Cindy

Cindy — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 01:27:44 +0000

Oh, just another plug for the Viking machines….They sew through ANYTHING, including fingers!!! Yep, I sewed through my finger, but it only hurt for a second while the needle went through. hee hee

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Oh… OUCH! That’s kinda funny though, because I remember my mom saying the same thing about Vikings. She was a professional seamstress and owned her own company. She loved her Viking because she did a lot of alterations on Jeans and it could handle it. But she used to say that it could sew through anything including her fingers! This doesn’t bode well for me… since Grace isn’t my middle name!! ~W

By: Karan

Karan — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 23:16:30 +0000

Good entry there IZ. Keep it up.

My s-i-l (is that what you call a sister-in-law) owns a sewing machine shop in Eugene. Make a trip there, buy a used machine and get something fantabulous. The high-end sew’ers are just like stereophiles….they always want the biggest bightest bestest and continually trade up for the next edition machine. Their old machines are in fabulous shape and they are only traded in because of that bbb thing. If you want to know the details of how to find her, just ask!

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Thanks Karan!! I’ll have IZ contact you if he hasn’t already bought the darn thing! Oh well.. I see a serger in my future… so… Heh. ~W

By: Cindy

Cindy — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 19:16:45 +0000

Wende, IZ cracks me up! What a nice guy, tho.

My honey bought me a Viking Rose several years back. She’s a good machine and has brought much happiness to me and the people she has crafted for. My friend just bought a Viking Platinum 775. She got it home and the front buttons looked different. It was MOSTLY a 775 with the buttons of a 900something! Crazy. They ordered her a new one that will be all 775.

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Hmm… that would bite! Not that I’d know the difference. At this point, ANYTHING is going to be such an improvement. Especially, button holes!! ~W