I purchased a Pfaff Tiptronic 2020 nine years ago. Over the years things have been going out but I they did not significantly impede my sewing. The machine has been professionally cleaned on a yearly basis. Alas, the needle threader and reverse button only work a couple of weeks after cleaning. The power supply is intermittent.  I've been told that would be next to impossible to fix. I've always had trouble with button holes and discovered that this is a problem with the model.  I can never remember exactly how the ladies at the store are able to override this problem. All of these things I've been able to deal with, until now.

     Sadly, the machine did not survive the move from Texas to Virginia.  It is now lopsided.  When I attempt to sew on it,  the arm of the machine bobs up and down. I am spending more time fixing the machine's numerous issues than I am sewing on it. I cannot take it anymore!  My husband agrees, I may have worn out the mileage of this particular machine and I need a new one. I'd like to get a dependable workhorse, so I am asking for advice. 

    I use my sewing machine for various purposes.  I sew contemporary garments and other miscellaneous items. However, whenever I have sewn skirts or pants, the seams are puckered.  I have been careful to use an appropriate sized, fresh needle.  Also the Pfaff has dual integrated feed, which is supposed to feed the fabric evenly.  Yet seams still get puckers. 

    I sew lots of costumes.  Currently I sew costumes for our own use in school. Previously I have sewn costumes for children's choir.  I'd like the machine to handle various types of fabrics well...tapestry, denim, cotton, silk, polar fleece, etc.  Ability to handle thickness of fabric is essential. I had to sew part of my Elizabethan costumes by hand because the fabrics were too thick. I'd also like to have a great button holer.  At this point I am tempted to do them by hand. I have promised my kids, now that we are in Virginia, that I'd get real colonial patterns at Colonial Williamsburg for real costumes.  My son, in particular, is looking forward to real breeches.  Do you realize how many button holes are on those things? And on the vests? And the coats?      

     I especially enjoy quilting.  Piecing fabrics on this machine has been a dream.  However free motion quilting has been troublesome.  I am not looking for a long arm.  I used to be able to start some free motion quilting on past pieces, but towards the end the threads would get jumbled up no matter what I did.  I had to finish the wandering look by hand.

     We have recently moved into a new house and I have several things to sew for the house like window treatments, cushions, pillows, etc.

    I am not looking for a machine that does embroidery. If I ever want to do embroidery, I prefer to do that by hand.

     Thank you for any ideas! I admit to being overwhelmed with purchasing for a new sewing machine in an unfamiliar area.  I don't know any of the sewing stores' reputation around here in Virginia, since we recently moved here.