Pfaff machines - any good?

[redllamayellowllama]

I've got a budget of about £400 to spend on my first machine. Will be making clothes, quilts, possibly curtains.

I popped into a local machine shop and they recommended a Pfaff. I had a go on the machine and it seemed good, but would be open to any other suggestions.

Your thoughts please!

Not used one, sorry. My family has had a Singer for over 20 years, and it's still going perfectly despite being passed/driven around from house to house.

I have a Pfaff and I love it! It is one of the few machines within your budget which features a dual feed. The dual feed stops fabric from slipping, so gives you a more professional result. Pfaff is made in Switzerland, I think. I believe Singers are no longer manufactured in England. I think their production may have moved to the Far East, so the new models may be less reliable than the older ones. My mother sews a lot and she is big fan of Elna - another Swiss made sewing machine which is similar in quality to Pfaff. I have heard good things about Bernina, but have never used one.

Pfaff is German and one of the "good" makes. (Although I don't know how many sewing machines are still made in Europe - I think most companies are manufacturing in the Far East nowadays.) The dual feed is great - I use it all the time.

Thanks very much for all the advice. Will pop into John Lewis as well to see what advice they can offer. I do like an excuse to pop into John Lewis!