I know talking about machines can sound salesy right out of the gate, but this genuinely isn’t that. This is how I accidentally became a PFAFF dealer, which still makes me laugh.

People assume I had some grand master plan to sell sewing machines from day one.

I did not.

This was not a corporate vision-board moment. There was no five-year strategy. There wasn’t even a decent cup of coffee involved.

Here’s what actually happened.

The Very Unplanned Origin Story

I was scrolling Facebook Marketplace looking for a PFAFF Passport. That’s it. That was the plan.

I’ve personally used PFAFF machines for years (as did my then Assistant Manager), and I wanted a smaller one to keep in our classroom at Embellish. Something smooth. Solid. Fuss-free. A machine that would just… sew. No drama.

So I go meet this woman in December. We’re standing outside. It’s freezing. We’re chatting about the machine, our hands slowly going numb, and I casually mention that I own a shop.

Turns out she works for PFAFF.

Of course she does. Because the universe loves a plot twist.

We stand there for half an hour in the cold talking about machines, sewing, teaching, and what people actually need versus what they’re sold. And eventually she goes,
“You know… you could sell PFAFF.”

And that was that.

No pitch deck. No pressure. Just two people talking about sewing machines in winter air, and suddenly I’m a PFAFF dealer. Which, honestly, made perfect sense — because it’s what I already loved and used.

Why PFAFF Machines Are Genuinely Excellent (Ok, maybe a little salesy)

I don’t sell machines I don’t believe in. Period. If I wouldn’t use it myself, I’m not putting my name on it. If you see it at Sewing Machine Magic, I would use it.

PFAFF checks a lot of boxes for me and for the people who sew in the real world.

Build quality is a big one. These machines are German-engineered, metal-heavy where it matters, and stable as hell. They don’t feel flimsy. They don’t skitter around the table when you hit a thick seam. They feel like they’re doing the work with you instead of fighting you.

Then there’s IDT™ — PFAFF’s integrated dual feed. It’s basically a built-in walking foot, and I use it for almost everything unless I physically can’t because of the foot or technique I’m using. Knits? Slippery silks? Quilting layers? Super thick bags? It feeds evenly without you having to wrestle the fabric like it owes you money.

Stitch quality is another big win. Clean, consistent stitches across a wide range of fabrics, with excellent tension balance. You don’t spend your life fiddling with knobs wondering what you did wrong.

And the stitches, let’s talk about the stitches! PFAFF machines have a huge selection of utility and decorative stitches, and I will die on this hill: people need to use their fun stitches more. You paid for them. Let them live. Play!

They’re also user-friendly without being dumbed down. Intuitive controls, helpful on-screen guides on some models, adjustable presser foot pressure, customizable settings — the kind of features that grow with you instead of capping you at “advanced beginner forever.”

Add in strong dealer support (hi, it’s us!), a massive number of accessories, and machines that hold up under frequent use, and you’ve got something I’m very comfortable standing behind.

Who PFAFF Is Especially Great For

PFAFF tends to shine across the board, but here’s where I see them really make sense:

Beginners
Easy controls, smooth stitches right out of the gate, built-in IDT for consistent feeding, and durability that means you won’t outgrow it in five minutes.

Garment Sewists
Knits, silks, slippery nightmares — IDT and excellent tension balance make life dramatically easier. Adjustable presser foot pressure is a quiet hero feature. And don’t forget those fun decorative stitches, please?

Quilters & Patchworkers
Even feeding through multiple layers, great stitch control, spacious throats on many models, and a ridiculous number of feet and accessories.

Advanced Sewists
Precision, customization, reliability, and the ability to do complicated things without the machine throwing a tantrum.

Embroidery Folks (on PFAFF embroidery models)
Clean stitch placement, smooth hoop movement, solid editing features, and good results with decorative threads. Also, have you seen the size of some of those hoops.

Yes, I Love Fancy Machines (But Let’s Be Real)

I love a fancy machine. Bells and whistles are my jam. Accessories? Love them. Decorative stitches? Absolutely. Needle-down? You can pry that from my cold, dead hands.

But I will always say this: The best machine is the one you have, that works, that you can afford, and that you actually use.

Not everyone needs a spaceship. Some people just need something reliable that doesn’t act possessed on day one.

Which brings me to Singer.

Why I Still Sell Singer (And Why It Gets Complicated)

Singer is… a mixed bag. And pretending otherwise helps no one.

Modern Singer machines can be great, especially for beginners and everyday sewing. They’re user-friendly, affordable, and accessible. Simple controls, easy threading, decent stitch quality for most home projects, and wide availability of parts and accessories.

For a lot of people, a Singer is a solid way to get sewing without blowing the budget or feeling overwhelmed.

But Singer’s reputation took a hit and not without reason.

What Happened to Singer’s Reputation

Vintage Singers? Legendary. Cast iron. Mechanically simple. Built like tanks. Many of them are still sewing beautifully after decades (or in some cases, even a century) of use!

Then came corporate changes in the late ’80s and ’90s. Ownership shifts. Outsourced manufacturing. Cheaper production. More plastic. Less consistency.

A lot of entry-level modern Singers (especially big-box store models) can be fiddly. Tension issues. Jamming. Not thrilled with heavy fabrics. And because the Singer name still carries weight, people expect more than they sometimes get.

That mismatch is where frustration lives.

And to be fair, Singer today isn’t Singer in isolation—it's part of SVP (Singer • Viking • PFAFF) now. That matters, because it means shared resources, better support, and a lot more consistency than people remember from the rougher transition years.

Where Singer Is Doing Better Now

Singer has made efforts to improve. Mid-range and upper-tier models are better built, have stronger motors, and offer more features. The Singer Elite line (dealer-only machines) is a noticeable step up from the bargain-bin stuff.

They’ve also leaned hard into tutorials and accessibility, which genuinely helps beginners succeed.

So while Singer isn’t what it was in the golden era, it’s not the villain some corners of the internet make it out to be either. It’s about choosing the right model for how you actually sew.

The Bottom Line

I didn’t set out to sell sewing machines. I set out to help people sew without losing their minds.

PFAFF fits that mission beautifully for a lot of sewists. Singer fits it for others. My job isn’t to push you into the fanciest thing—it’s to match you with a machine that makes you want to sit down and actually sew.

Also worth checking before you buy: who’s actually servicing that machine. Not all techs do all brands, and that’s not a failure — it’s reality.

Case in point: Bernina. Love them. Respect them. I have a 1968 one that purrs like a dream (Why is that sound so satisfying?) but they are not machines you want casually opened by someone who doesn’t know their quirks. Bernina knows what it did.

If you’re curious, confused, upgrading, or just want to talk machines without a sales pitch attached, come chat. I’m always happy to help you figure out what makes sense for you.