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Pretty Pouch and my Pfaff

August 27, 2012 By Spoonful of Sugar - 17 Comments

Sewing is so relaxing when everything is going smoothly. It is so therapeutic to stitch away on a project while listening to music. However if you are having sewing machine issues – it can be an exercise in frustration. Over the past couple of weeks my trusty Pfaff has been skipping stitches BIG TIME. Usually every 5-6 stitches there is a giant skipped stitch. The unpicker has been working overtime. I have threaded and re-threaded the machine. Fiddled with the tension. Changed the needle several times. Given it a thorough clean and oil. Words have been uttered in frustration. (Sugar Sugar Sugar….)

I needed a small project to test my machine on after each adjustment so I made a little drawstring pouch to hold a small hand stitching project. (Don’t look too closely at the stitching – it isn’t pretty!!). At least the pretty fabric gave me something to smile about. The drawstring pouch was going to be a tutorial but I was way too frustrated!

Eventually I had an “aha” moment. I had recently bought a different brand of sewing machine needle when my local fabric store was out of Schmetz. I have now restocked the Schmetz and my loyal Pfaff Tiptronic (circa 2000) is once again stitching along perfectly. It really is a dream to sew on.

I had almost talked myself into upgrading to the Pfaff Quilt Expression 4.0. I was dreaming of the large 10 inch sewing space; the dual lights; automatic thread snipper; 200 stitches; and the Electronic Thread Tension.   Sigh… Alas, it was not to be…..

Which sewing machine do you dream of owning?

Edit: Stay tuned for a Pretty pouch Tutorial:)

Edit: You can find the Pretty Drawstring Pouch Tutorial here.

Filed Under: Sewing

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Pretty Drawstring Pouch {Tutorial} »

Comments

  1. Anita says

    August 27, 2012 at 4:42 am

    I’m dreaming of the exact same machine as you. But I too will have to wait until my machine completely dies!!

    Love the pouch – it’s so pretty

    Reply
  2. ~ko says

    August 27, 2012 at 4:47 am

    I am soooooo thankful you posted this! Two weeks ago my Pfaff started skipping stitches!!!! I was at a complete loss and never thought for a second it could be the different brand of needle! I’m headed to the store just as soon as it opens for a new set of Schmetz! And the pouch is lovely by the way! Do post a tutorial 🙂

    Reply
  3. Peggy says

    August 27, 2012 at 4:53 am

    Love this little pouch. So pretty.
    I have the pfaff quilt expression 4.0.It is brilliant, unfortuantely i am not using it as much as I want to so i decided to sell it.

    Reply
  4. Cindy says

    August 27, 2012 at 5:41 am

    Well, despite your troubles, the pouch looks great! I have an older (2000?) model Viking and love it. But I know the new ones have all those cool things. Don’t think I really need it, but I can dream!

    Reply
  5. Suzan says

    August 27, 2012 at 5:45 am

    Skipped and irregular stitches can be so frustrating…along with thread breaking. Nearly every time I have that problem it turns out to be the needle. I start there first now! My current dream machine is the Janome Horizon. Oh, how I long for that machine…

    Reply
  6. Amanda says

    August 27, 2012 at 6:17 am

    I have my dream machine bernina 440 don’t think I’d ever be parted from it.

    Reply
  7. Lisa M says

    August 27, 2012 at 6:23 am

    Firstly, your little pouch is very pretty; looking forward to the tutorial.
    I have a quite a few machines – a Pfaff Grand Quilter, a Husqvarna Sapphire, a Pfaff general basic sewing machine and my sentimental favourite, a Brother My Star (my first machine). I also have an overlocker. I am so happy with all of them that I don’t dream about other machines, however I have recently fallen for the Singer Anniversary edition machine for its modern take on a vintage design. I am very lucky to have my machines, they serve a purpose.

    Reply
  8. Heleen Groot says

    August 27, 2012 at 7:37 am

    You are much braver then I am. If my machine was doing that I would simply run away (not screaming, but close) and have “someone” sort it for me…..So I am not dreaming about any sewing machine. They scare me! I do love the pouch. Bet you I can do it by hand!

    Reply
  9. Amy DeCesare says

    August 27, 2012 at 8:15 am

    I drive a Pfaff, too..an older 2040 model, but I love it! I sometimes wish for a Bernina, but I would definitely look at Pfaffs again first, if I ever buy a new machine. So glad the fix was very simple!

    Reply
  10. Terriaw says

    August 27, 2012 at 9:32 am

    That IS a pretty pouch! I still love the Shabby Chic look, even if my husband isn’t crazy about having it all over our house 😉 How wonderful to figure out an easy fix to the sewing machine tantrums!

    Reply
  11. Nicky says

    August 27, 2012 at 3:06 pm

    Maybe it is the planetary alignment my pfaff was being a little dodgey yesterday too and I turned it off in frustration – try again today

    Reply
  12. Mrs A says

    August 27, 2012 at 3:52 pm

    Lovely pouch! I bought a big bernina 820 a year ago, its a fab machine, I love it 🙂 I keep eyeing off some of those long arms, but they are too bulky and I would need another spare room!

    Reply
  13. alwaysquilting says

    August 28, 2012 at 12:26 am

    It is interesting to note that, as with all things, not all brands of machine needles are of the same quality, and some work better than others in particular machines.

    I love schmetz needles and, although I rarely use any other brand, I will be more aware of the needles that I purchase in future after reading your post.

    Reply
  14. Elisa says

    August 28, 2012 at 1:55 am

    So pretty 🙂 I LOVE those heart pins, can you tell me where you purchased them please. Elisa x
    liseylou1971@ymail.com

    Reply
  15. Clara says

    August 28, 2012 at 7:31 am

    I’d like to have the Pfaff ambition 1.5…. it would be perfect for me!!! yesterday was my birthday and my husband asked me “what would you like most as a present?” …… the new sewing machine, I answered!!!! Well….. I suppose it’s on the way to home!

    Reply
  16. Joana Magalhães says

    October 23, 2012 at 12:07 am

    Lovely!!!
    Just the kind of ideas I like!!
    Thank you for sharing them.
    Joana

    Reply
  17. Kim says

    August 16, 2016 at 10:05 pm

    I have a pfaff classic style quilt and love it also have a 12 year old singer that is going to live with my daughter and a Toyota overlocker

    Reply

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