Brother QC1000 – Am I crazy?

I’ve been looking to replace my trusted 20 year old Pfaff Tiptronic for a while now because this machine is not made for the amount of work I put her trough.
So I went to my Pfaff dealer and tested the Performance, which is a nice machine. But what about Bernina? Everybody in the forums and blogs is raving about the Aurora, so I went to another dealer. He placed me in front of the Aurora, I started sewing – it felt all wrong. I didn’t like the way the machine transported the fabric, I didn’t like the sound. It just didn’t click.
I was disappointed. The dealer picked of course up on this and pointed me towards another machine. Or I should say space ship, for that’s what the Brother QC1000 vaguely reminds me of!
At first I was apprehensive because the machine is somewhat over my self-proclaimed financial limit. Then I sat down and started sewing. It was love on the first seam! The fabric was gliding through the machine like I have never seen before, the stitches where beautiful, I cut off the thread with the push of a button and I new I would never like to sew on another machine. I will spare you my ravings on the other features of this baby...

But, oh, the price! My new love would make me about 2000 Euros poorer… I’m quite confident that the machine will not be wasted on me, since I sew really a lot and I used to be a dressmaker, so I know what I’m doing… I guess I only need some encouraging words and go-for-it-girl’s. My husband says I should buy the machine, but he can not fully understand it, of course…
Does anybody of you have this particular sewing machine?

Oh, and thank you for reading my rambling 

I had to put 2000 Euros through the google $ translator... and holy cow, it came out to nearly US$2800.  Now I know why  you're a little freaked out!  I watched this video... it looks pretty cool to say the least... the touch screen is very impressive!  Do you do a lot of quilting?

How far out of your budget is it?  A hundred Euros or a THOUSAND Euros?  I went a little over my budget and was very glad I did... so I understand the pull to reach for the stars a bit. 

And of course, I have to ask this... are all your other financial ducks in a row so that if you do this one thing that is out of your budget, everything else will be OK?

Well, I have two sides of my heart answering this for ya.  First off, hubby says ok so that's awesome.  Also, I know by experience that once you find "that machine" no other will do.  If you buy something else you will always compare it to this one... the one that got away.  Can you do that?  Hmm...

Then there is the practical side of me that say... holy cow... that much?  There are definitely machines out there for way less that will do all you want and more.  That man at the store knew you would be hooked and saw love in your eyes and gotcha.  So, all that is basically not very helpful, but I'd say sit with the decision for a week or so... try out some others and then if nothing else scratches that itch for you then "go-for-it-girl"!!

@Madrona: I know it’s a lot of money. I’m not really on a budget here, but my self-imposed limit was 1800 Euros, so the 200 more are not that bad. It’s the crazy amount in it self that’s scares me, I would probably freak the same if the machine was "only" 1800. (BTW it would maybe be possible to purchase the model that is in the shop right now, the price would be a little lower – but I would have to act fast.)

I do not much quilting per se, but I make baby items and bags with many layers of batting, flannel etc…, there is IMO not that much difference to quilting. (I show them at my blog, see my signature for the link). And I always wanted to try my hand at quilting, but with my current machine that’s not possible.

…other financial ducks in a row… what a cute expression, I’ve never heard that before! Well we are certainly not rich, but we can afford it. Since I’m a professional sewer (if only from home in the last few years) I plan to make some money with the machine, too. I have already a few custom orders lined up and I do some repairs for other people to. With this machine even repairs will be fun, I think!

Thank your giving your opinion!

@dixiemango: well my husband is in no position to object since we just bought a horse for him (it cost 3500 EUR). No, seriously, he fortunately understands my passion and the need for high quality tools.

And I already tried a few other machines – even some that are not much cheaper – and there was none that spoke to me like the brother did, if you know what I mean… the fabric transport is so smooth (it is a seven-way transport, opposed to a two-way transport in Pfaff machines…) and it is so sturdy. I sew a few hours every day, and a cheaper household machine is not made for that much use, as I see with my Pfaff right now.

Well, thank you for giving thought to my ramblings – it feels good to be understood!

If you loved your old Pfaff - have you looked at the expression line?

The selects are more beginner, but the expressions have some really nice features ....but if I remember properly the performance was the last of the series with the side loading bobbin which made the IDT humm like nothing else!

I can't tell you how many machines I test drive before I bought my Viking.

Tinklestein - I don't think 200 Euros is too far to push your budget.  It is a little less, percentage-wise, that I went over my budget.  I think, since it will not bother the rest of your finances, and especially since you will make some $ with this machine -  perhaps in time even paying it off - go for it, sister!!  

However, I would take sewinggirljen's advice and try the other more advanced Pfaff's before pulling the trigger, but it really sounds like this Brother is the machine that is going to come home with you!  

Good Luck, and let us know what you end up doing!


P.S. - Jen, which Viking did you end up going with?

If you are used to pfaff ,the IDT (dual feed) you will miss it in other machines - esp if you are sewing thru batting and heavy stuff.  That's where IDT excels.

I f you can't afford a new Pfaff you might look at the 7000 series, which was the last generation before the current ones.  Used 7570's still command respect and are popular since they were heavier not plastic and the last Pfaffs generation made in Germany ( new ones are made in Sweden.)  I kept mine just for doing home dec/quitling when I bought a creative for embroidery.  You will pay less than a new Innovis.  If you want to get into embroidery later you can buy another machine, since most people discover the embroidery ties up the machine when you might want to be sewing oither stuff. 

Well I had a chat with the seller after test sewing the machines (I didn’t sew on a Pfaff in his shop, I had done that before in another one). He said he worked for almost 30 years as a mechanic in a German Pfaff plant and Pfaff was sold to different companies 3 times during his time there. He always sold Pfaff machines in addition to his work at the plant and has now set up his own shop for quite a few years, but he says he can not recommend the expensive Pfaff machines any longer. He warned me that I can not compare the quality and longevity of my 20-yo Pfaff to the newer ones, since there is no longer a real Pfaff inside, more or less only the logo remains.
I believe him, since he had no reason to push me to another brand for his own benefit. I originally was interested in the Pfaff Performance, which is in the same price segment than the brother. He knew he would make some serious money with me, whatever brand I settled on…
The only reason could be that he has a larger margin on brother machines, but he seemed sincere enough so I don’t believe it.

And my mom sewed as well on the brother (she has been sewing on Pfaff for 30 years) and she was in raptures, too.

After re-reading all my effusions, I can see that in my heart the decision is already made! But still, thank you all for your great insights! 

You are not crazy.  I think you must go buy it immediately.  It is a lot of money but it is something you use to make money and spend a lot of time on.  You should do that with a machine you truly love.  You will enjoy every moment you work on the machine.  So go, with no regrets and buy your machine!

Let us know which one you get - machine shopping is such a process!

I did it. 
I slept a few nights over it and decided that this was the machine I wanted. I have already sewn some stuff and I’m so happy with the machine! I’m a lot faster now and everything looks so much more professional…
Thank you all for your thoughts and for sharing your opinions…