The Ohio Sewing Mann^©

For Informational Purposes Only

By Marvin Ganote

Latest Update: March 7, 2008

[Since experiencing server page problems I have been reviewing all I had on my site. I am finding that all independent software is getting increasingly expensive. I am seeking the few that offer the independence from the over-priced and dongle-chained Husqvarna and Pfaff software for the most features for the price. Regardless, the independent software still can give you significant capability for a far lower cost that is free of the hassle of dongles and has the ability to handle many formats.]

[I cannot project when this will be done due to my work schedule but hopefully it will be soon.

Until then some links below are not actice.]

This site focuses on the Pfaff 2144/2170 and the Husqvarna Designer Series and the Viking #1+ (now known as the Orchidea) and its variations, software with Microsoft Windows of all versions past 3.1, and some sewing tips. See the advancements (with limitations) toward FREEDOM from Husqvarna Designer I software below! But real freedom from Pfaff software is available now!

In my book Pfaff is better, especially with real freedom to use any kind of software you want and still be able to sew on the Pfaff.

I have not personally tried or owned all that I present on this site but I provide them for your information and research. Always contact the manufacturer to ensure the product meets your situation. The opinions expressed here are my own and is strictly for information only. Use of the information is strictly at your own risk.

Introduction

Since the introduction of the #1+, sewing has become fun for men, as well as women. But the software is now better than the dark ages, but Husqvarna has a ways to go for price-value. The instruction manuals do not always tell it like it should be for using Microsoft Windows. My purpose is to help first-time users, like myself, to not go through the trail and error and cost in money I had in getting the software and making it work reasonably well. I will cover new software when it is released. The Designer I and II do have nice to have improvements, but they are even more overpriced in hardware and software. I will share sewing tips as I learn them. I did not upgrade to the Designer I or II machines because of the expense of doing so and I found more capability for everyday sewing in another brand in Pfaff. I will make and provide comments and reader inputs for the Husqvarna and Pfaff machines as time passes and opportunities develop.

But I had a need of a better machine than the #1+ for ease of use and an easier relearning curve. I investigated both the Designer I and the Pfaff 2144. In my local market I would have had to have purchased new Husqvarna software to read and write the VIP format Husqvarna is now using on their top of the line. The Pfaff also uses the VIP format. The difference is I can use my current Husqvarna System 5 software to create designs for the Pfaff while I cannot for the Designer I. That made a $1600 dollar difference in favor of the Pfaff 2144. And to be able to load ready-made designs you have to buy at least $600 of software from Husqvarna to load these files to a Designer I disk because a File Manager does not come with the Designer I.

The Pfaff 2144 comes with free software that not only loads and deletes machine file but converts from HUS to VIP, along with other common formats. Connecting this with after market conversion software, the Pfaff will sew almost any format. For the lesser Pfaff machines, the Reader/Writer box comes with this same 2144 software. The KEY to software independent is getting the design into the machine. So far Pfaff does best it for the least money.

The Pfaff 2144 is much better as a whole sewing system and does not need other party software to sew any usual format. That is how you show look at any sewing buy. Look at the Total Package Cost to do what you want to do. You should balance capability against system cost to assess the most cost-effective buy.

The new Pfaff 2170 is even a better machine and therefore an even better cost-effective buy.

Coverage

I have limited coverage of Win95/98 and later Windows versions, digitizing, customizing, sewing tips, alternative software from other sources, and other topics as time permits. I will cover the old and the new software because people do sell used machines, which can be great ways to save money and still get a fine sewing machine with more affordable software. Often I do not get to sew much depending upon house projects, teaching at the University of Dayton and unforeseen events. This then means I do not have much new to add at certain times of a year.

NOTE: I keep working to update all information but it is often slow going due to other commitments. I invite your insights and comments. (All prices stated on this site are approximate and may vary widely.)

Maurice giving paws-on advice

on my first #1+ to my wife Wylan.

MARTHA STEWART LIVING OMNIMEDIA, INC. ANNOUNCES ENDORSEMENT OF SVP WORLDWIDE PRODUCTS

SVP Worldwide now owns Pfaff, Husqvarna, Viking, and Singer Products. I expect the products and software to become increasingly similar in features and the pricing to go up as competition is now more controlled. There is one good thing happening now, the VIP file format is becoming common between machines. This means that any software, their’s or third-party, will produce designs that will sew on any VIP run machine. However, some machines have a unique machine code file format and conversion software is needed to make VIP design run. This is normally provided with the machines that advertise the VIP format. VIP is also used by other brands as well.

Pfaff

Pfaff 2144 is number 1 in my book (see NOTE)

Pfaff 2170 is even better with the Precise Positioning function

NOTE: The Pfaff 2144 can be software upgraded

to have the 2170’s Precise Positioning! Neat!

(The link provides a corrected instruction page for using

the Precise Positioning on the 2144 and 2170

· There are several reasons to go Pfaff but the top six for me are:

1. Pfaff has a build-in top fabric feeder (IDT) that really works. They did a masterful job and it sews the finest fabric without a ruffle with a straight stitch. Just guide it straight. There is no need to hand feed at all.

2. It uses the universal VIP file format. This is a major deal. VIP is common between PFAFF and the newer Husqvarna machines, as well as many other brands. This opens up the world of pre-made designs and software for cross-machine use.

3. It is easy to sew and I get great results. I spent multiple hours trying to digitize and sew a complex logo with the #1+. I could never make it look right. I tested in the store this design with the Pfaff before purchase. It sewed perfectly.

4. It is very forgiving. I sewed a script A perfectly by just putting the fabric under the presser foot and pressing the pedal. The book says this should be done in a hoop. I just laid a piece of loose stabilizer under the fabric and sewed. The IDT made its work.

5. It comes with file converter software. This means I can use my existing Husqvarna and third-party software. The Pfaff Design Manager automatically (on the fly) converts as it loads files into the machine. [The Husqvarna Designer series comes with no transfer software or conversion software. You will have to buy the 3D Embroidery Studio at a minimum. VIP formatted files get around this.] Aftermarket software can be used to allow the use of any brand of sewing software for the Pfaff.

6. It connects to the computer by a cable but it can use Pfaff cartridges also. It is simple and easy. I need no floppies or Reader/Writer boxes and NO DONGLES to do to transfer files.

7. It can be updated by the Internet. Free firmware makes the 2144 into a 2170. Therefore the best value is to be a 2144 (new or used) and do the upgrade.

8. Excellent Software Suite. Costly but works fine. It does now has Pffaf’s version of Husqvarna’s Dumb-Dongle.

· See the new user 2144 Tips I am slowly complying.

· Important sewing help source. Also an important tip if the Pfaff Creative Customizing will not work under Windows XP.

· Threading the machine: It is critical that the thread get between the tension disks in order to sew correctly. This is definitely critical for embroidery. See 2144 Tips.

· For answers to Pfaff Frequently Asked Questions go to http://www.pfaff-us-cda.com and select About Pfaff / FAQ

Pfaff Software

Pfaff creative 4D Software (Digitizing / Customizer / Autodigitizer / and much more) It is a great package, but like Husqvarna, it is expensive, over-priced, but good. (They are owned by the same parent company now, SVP Worldwide, along with Singer and Viking.) The Digitizer will save to HUS directly but uses the Pfaff Creative Customizing USB protection device (their version of a dumb-dongle [Husqvarna now owns Pfaff])! The full package runs over $2000 retail. But some dealers will go as low as $1600 in the US and in England. Search the web and call all dealers.

Pfaff creative 4D Software UPGRADE My dealer wants $1300+. Is it worth it? Only if you use it regularly, in my opinion. Basically all it does is integrate all the separate pieces under an overall interface so there is less time moving from one activity to another. It appears little has been done within each sub-program.

Pfaff creative 3D Software (Digitizing / Customizer / Autodigitizer / and much more) It is a great package, albeit pricy like Husqvarna. The Digitizer will save to HUS directly but uses the Pfaff Creative Customizing USB protection device (their version of a dumb-dongle [Husqvarna now owns Pfaff])! You can buy separate elements. The full package runs about $2000 retail. But some dealers will go as low as $1600 in the US and in England. Search the web and call all dealers.

Conversion (Freedom!?) Software! SewWhat! Embroidery File Editor and Viewer View, edit, merge and save embroidery files in various formats. Use to convert and digitally manipulate embroidery files from Brother, Pfaff, Husqvarna, Barudan, Tajima, and many other manufacturers.] I have used it to convert VIP files to HUS so I could use my Husqvarna System 5 software and other software that does HUS but not VIP. Then I let the VIP File Assistant that came with the 2144 (now a 2170) convert the HUS results to the Pfaff machine file. With SewWhat you can get all kinds of web and commercial file types and convert the types to whatever format your software uses. So you don’t need Pfaff software to make Pfaff sewing files. I recently did just that and the machine sews fine.

Pfaff Sewing Tips

Embroidery Tips

A just a few sources for designs: The Web has many available.

Please mail any comments.

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