There’s been a secret I’ve been hiding for a few weeks, and it’s time to come clean… I have a new sewing machine! And it came in such a cute box…
When I upgraded my very first machine to my big, beasty, 13kg straight-stitch workhorse, I knew that one day I would need a second, smaller machine with more stitch options. Since moving to Melbourne, I’ve been needing a second, smaller sewing machine that has more than just a straight stitch, and that is much lighter for taking to sewing days and retreats, and wanting one that has speed control that the kids can sew on too. And the Pfaff Passport met all the criteria, and was highly recommended by a few local quilty friends too.
Yes, I am now the proud, and very excited, owner of a Pfaff Passport 3.0 (currently affectionately known as Baby Girl), and I’ll be sharing a lot about our journey together as a Pfaff Associate. The Passport is everything I have come to need in a second machine – lightweight, but packs a punch. For the past 18 months, since we moved to Melbourne, I’ve been lugging around that 13kg workhorse to sewing events – retreats, Guild sewing days, sewing at friends’ houses, classes… And as it’s Japanese, I’ve also had to take the 2kg transformer too! But no more. Whenever you see me out and about sewing, it’ll be with my new Baby Girl. At just 6.7kg, it’s a game changer (and back saver!).
Other than the weight and stitch range, the other main reason I am so excited about my Pfaff Passport 3.0 is the speed control. This was another feature lacking on my workhorse, and it meant that my children were unable to use it. But now, I can pop it onto the lowest speed, and let my kids have fun. That’s how my daughter was able to sew up this little pouch almost all by herself the other week! I just helped her with the hem around the top edge.
Of course, now she’s thinking up all these projects to make, and I’ll have to try and get MY sewing done while she’s at school so that we’re not competing for time on the Passport, haha!
As with any new machine, it’s taken a little bit to get used to the way it works, and buttons and levers in new places, but we’re getting on pretty darn well. I was rather excited to have a play with the decorative stitches, and thankfully, I had some small projects already basted from demonstrating for my basting tutorial. I decided to tackle the tulips table runner first.
For the long edges, I used the serpentine stitch – stitch #42 – and weaved my way along the borders, mixing it up. I’d love to try and work out how to evenly stitch serpentine rows next to each other, though! Does anyone have some tips for that? Next, I used the most perfect vine-like stitch – stitch #80 – to quilt next to each tulip block. It echoes the blocks’ leaves perfectly!
So yes, I’m loving my Pfaff Passport 3.0, I’m thrilled to become a Pfaff Associate, and to share this new journey with you all!
Pam Walton says
Hey, another Pfaff girl, welcome to the club. I love all the great decorative stitches, Have fun!!!
Pam from Canada
Alyce says
Heyyyy, thanks! Is there a secret handshake I need to learn or something? 😉
Pam Walton says
The smile on your face will do the trick. 🙂
Pam Walton says
Sew check your manual and see if you have a STITCH RESTART button, this will line up your serpentine stitch. Also I got the “stitch in the ditch foot” with the wide opening in the foot and the great thing is you can line up your foot in the ditch and instead of doing a straight stitch you can use your vine stitch and 1/2 of the vine will be on one side of the ditch and the other half of the vine will be on the other side of the ditch. It will be perfect. the foot #number is 820609096. Enjoy
Alyce says
Oh that would be so cute!
Alyce says
Hehe aww!!
Sandy Allen says
I love my Pfaff! I’ve had it for two years now ans it is a workhorse! Just wish mine had the speed control. I have an Ambition Essential.
Alyce says
I must say, even I’ve used it when doing some trickier piecing to force myself to slow down!
Carole @ From My Carolina Home says
It is marvelous to have a lightweight machine to carry to classes and shows! Looks like a great machine.
Alyce says
Total life changer! I’ll be sure to share a pic of it in my next machine post, but the hard cover even has a space for the pedal and power cord. Genius!
Joelle says
I don’t own a Pfaff or any machine with the serpentine stitch but it seems to me that if you turn off the machine after you finish a row of serpentine, go back to below where you began the first row, turn the machine back on, select the serpentine stitch with the same settings and begin to stitch, it should be roughly lined up with the row above. Just a guess. Experiment first, though.
Alyce says
I think even just cutting the thread and lifting the foot resets it?!
Laura says
Hi Alice, I’m surprised you are not raving about how wonderful the IDT is for quilting( no clunky walking foot). And it really helps for piecing as well. That’s what I love most about the Pfaff line.
Alyce says
Ha, oh that raving is still to come! Didn’t want to overload on the excited hyperactivity for the first post 😉
Lynn says
I have a Pfaff also and love it! The IDT is great and the stitch selection is too. Your machine should come with an edge guide, it is a piece of metal about 2.5″ long with a curve/hook on the end that will help you evenly space stitches.
Alyce says
Yes it does, I’m yet to have a play with that, but good tip! Thanks!
Susan says
This does look like a perfect machine for classes and such. I have an almost 20 yr old 7570 that I take to classes, and have no plans to part with. Love how it sews, and at home, I keep it set up for applique. My Janome 6500 is my main workhorse, mostly because of the knee lift – makes piecing go quicker.
Alyce says
The knee lift is the one thing I’m having to re-learn, haha! Got to stop twitching my leg…
Andrea Medwin says
As you know I love my 2 Pfaff’s and got the Passport to take overseas and also take out and about as the main machine is fabulous but oh so heavy. While a bit pricey for a second machine I love the fact that the Passport 3. has everything you really want out of a machine as well as the fabulous IDT
Alyce says
Yes, it really is everything you want, just smaller and lighter!