Yesterday, in a moment of pique, I packed up the Pfaff Passport 3.0 sewing machine and took it back to the dealer. Time to trade it in for something better, even if a bit heavier for taking to classes. I’ve tried to like the damned thing, but too many little frustrations mounted up. After only two months, it was time for it to get lost. I felt no love for it, only a liking for the fancy, decorative stitches. I had a problem with too-flexible plastic presser feet and a bobbin cover that was capricious, sometimes jumping out of its holder in the middle of a seam. As well, the reverse button would work sometimes – and other times it would not. Why bother? I hate to say it, I gave it a two-star review somewhere on the net . . .
Enter the Baby Lock Presto II. My dealer gave me full credit on the Passport, and I walked out with a brand new machine, marked down incredibly to be a very good deal. To me, that is great business. And, I really am liking the Presto II. It’s not full of decorative stitches, which I admit I do like and imagine using them to create some interesting things in the future, but the practical side of me finds that a machine that works, has solid feet, a good stitch, and a good reputation is more important than fancy stitches. (Oh, the Puritan speaks!) It also has damnably good buttonholes!
There are 7 buttonholes on this machine, some of which I did multiple times to check out their quality. The default ones are very good as they are, but I prefer the ones where I lowered the pressure on the presser foot from 4 to 3 and shortened the distance between the stitches, for example from 0.5 to 0.3. My trimming is not spectacular as I just cranked them out after putting some medium weight Pellon between two layers of a fine, soft natural muslin. The buttonholes are actually quite nice . . . I wonder if computerized sewing machines produce some of the best ones? I know that my Berninas do a really fine job and they are mechanical machines.
Anyway, this machine is probably 5 lbs. heavier than the Passport and does not have a case. I have a turquoise Tutto trolley (say that 3 times real fast!) to transport the Presto II. The machine also has a handy dandy handle on top to make carrying it easier. Classes will not be a problem as far as weight.
Below is a frontal view of the Presto II, a promo image from Baby Lock. There is a Presto (I) prior to this one – the II has the addition of a thread cutter.
The promo picture below gives you an idea of the location of various buttons for your sewing convenience. On the right is the digital display, which is very easy to use. A few things aren’t intuitive, but you can read, right? Easy peasy afterward.
Beneath the index finger is the thread cutting button, to the left of that is the needle-up / needle-down, then a button to push to terminate a pattern when it is complete, and the reverse stitch. One thing the Presto II has that the Passport does not is a sensor which won’t let you sew if the presser foot is up. What is not shown is the fact it has an absolutely fantastic automatic needle threader! Oh, how my old eyes like that! To the right of the index finger is the speed control – slow to fast, up to 850 stitches per minute (faster than I need!).
Finally, in the Baby Lock promo picture below, you see under the top of the Presto II. The top of the machine flips up. In the picture I took above, you can see the 100 stitches printed on the lid. The spool holder and bobbin winding mechanism are also under the lid, and the bobbin winder sports its own thread cutter. Under the lid and along the thread paths are clear markers on how to set up the upper thread (solid line) and how to set up the thread to wind the bobbin (broken line). The bobbin case itself has a picture showing how to place the bobbin it it.
I’ve never sewn or used a Baby Lock prior to yesterday. I know their sergers are supposed to be phenomenal, so why not their sewing machines? There are a lot of thoughtful little conveniences – small touches – which make this an outstanding machine, more so considering that this is not one of their fancy embroidery machines or even top of the line sewing machine.
After having the Presto II in my possession for a little over 24 hours, I can honestly say that I have “bonded” with it – I like it a lot! – and do not regret getting rid of the Passport 3.0. It’s sad that I feel that way as there is a lot of potential in the Passport, but the poor quality of its plastic feet and the bobbin cover coupled with the reverse button’s finicky quality were not worth working with. Sewing should be a pleasant experience, not a wrestling match with faulty equipment and shoddy materials.
Ink, Yarn & Beer 
Haha that was all gobbledegook to me! But congrats on your new machine!
Thanks, Fraggy. All told, the exchange was worthwhile. I am sure you completely get it though – the frustration of using something that just doesn’t work right – or quite right enough – to make overlooking the flaws worthwhile. That was this situation. Wah!
Baby Lock has a very good reputation. Pfaff does, too, but it sounds to me like that machine had too many bells and whistles at the expense of basic functionality. Surely you can use those 100 stitches creatively?
Katherine – actually, the Baby Lock is better equipped with bells and whistles! Pfaff is now owned by the same company / conglomerate that bought out Singer and Viking sewing machines. New Singers have a poor reputation, but then Singer started going downhill in the mid-70s. Viking was great – but not so sure now. I have my mother’s 1960s 19e, a green beastie, but very good now that it is fixed. This was my first – and last – Pfaff. First Baby Lock, but am impressed so far. I’m going to make something on it once I finish up a different project on a different machine.
Can you tell I am in sewing mode?? Christmas is around the corner!
My mother knew Singers were going downhill even before the mid-70s. It hasn’t gotten any better.
Your buttonholes look nice.
The machine can take all the credit…except where I made changes. 😘😏
Congratulations! I still use my Singer 503 for mending, etc. It has cams you put into the machine–a far cry from the electronic wizard machine you now have! Have fun with it!
Thanks, Anne! I love having sewing machines – I have a lot! Some with cams, some with hand cranks, a treadle, a Featherweight, some Kenmores, a few Berninas, and some classic Singers (66, 99), my mother’s Viking 19e. My husband has his own machine – he is not allowed to touch mine at all!
Cams are a lot of fun to use. Enjoy your classic machine – it’s one I have considered, but this year is the year for self-control – no more machines. Wah!
I do enjoy it because it never fails me when I need it. The dog especially likes it. That’s the hospital for his toys. He waits right by the Singer for when I’m done doing surgery on his favorites.
Anne, that is so cute – the dog hospital and the machine. I can just imagine him, sitting quietly, sad eyes (as with all dogs, damn ’em!), tail wagging . . .
That’s exactly it. After we moved, I had to alter some curtain valences and there he sat waiting for a toy to appear. I didn’t say he was particularly smart!
Anne! I didn’t realize you were such a tease! 😉
I gave him no indication that I might have one of his toys in surgery! I do have a sarcastic sense of humor though.
Anne – nothing like a bit of sarcasm to brighten the day, don’t you think? Happy New Year! BTW, your Hawaii pix have been very enjoyable! Cheers.
Thanks! Happy New Year to you too -N!
Awesome review! It’s a few years old. If I could, I would ask if you had it to do over again would you buy this machine today? Do you still love it.
I traded the Presto in a month later for a Janome Skyline S7. I like the S7 far more than the Presto. First, the head of the Presto is very bulbous and overhangs the needle. Ridiculous – the needle is hard to see. This is a characteristic of all the Babylock sewing machines I’ve seen. I have a Babylock serger which is great, but that Presto turned out to be as annoying as the Passport, so it went, too. I couldn’t like it. I like my Janome a lot more and its head doesn’t protrude over the needle, and additionally, you can swing the left side of the head open by the take up lever, just as you can in most older traditional machine. Janome for me for computerized machines, otherwise, just give me the old metal ones from days of yore . . .
Thanks. I’m leaning towards another Janome also.
Which one? My thought is if you want to do embroidery as well as sewing, get 2 machines. You won’t need to convert anything. What do you like to sew? I do clothing mostly.
I have no idea which Janome. I have to find my notes. I bought a Janome Quilters Dream a very long time ago. Sounds like the gears are broken so it won’t do even simple zig zag. Sews forward and backward just fine. I loved it until it broke. Researched repair on line everything says take it to a dealer which translates into expenses in my mind. Not to mention we have no dealers of any kind here or near. I’m not into embroidery. I make quilt tops. I’ve never quilted my own top. I don’t make my clothes anymore. I need more sewing space. Smooth, mostly quiet, one that will sew multiple layers with no binding, groaning, straining, mechanical I guess though I love the idea of a computerized. The more I research online, the more confused I get.
I don’t know where you live, but you would probably benefit from a Janome Skyline S7 – sewing only, no embroidery. Lots of cute stitches. You may actually prefer a treadle machine so you just have a straight stitch, and a machine you could practice free motion quilting on – it can be done, see YouTube! – or a mechanical electric machine with a few simple stitches. Since you don’t make your own clothes, buttonholes are not that important. Facebook has some good groups for Kenmore machines, Singers, Wards and other vintage machines – ones you can maintain yourself. Shopgoodwill.com has good deals on machines, but you take a chance with them and poor shipping and untested. Local Facebook market place may have good ones, and local Craigslist, too. Many people like the Singer 301 for quilting. I would avoid any Singer from 1970 onward and all cheap computerized Brothers, Vikings, Pfaffs, and Singers. Where are you, BTW?
I’m in Pineville, Louisiana. The central part of the state. There is a Brother authhorized seller in Ruston, La.; something in Natchez, Mississippi; as well as the southern part of the state. Ruston being the closest at an hour and a half (?) drive one way. I looked online some last night at the Janome Skyline S7. Like what I saw so far. A bit pricey but probably worth it. A treadle machine? No not for me. I bought a cheap mechanical Baby Lock which I dislike very much. I didn’t know what I was getting. So I’m suffering.
It sounds like you are in the middle of nowhere, and that makes things difficult. I’ll be honest – I wouldn’t trust a new Brother machine. Nor cheap machines. What kind of mechanical machines have you had in the past? Have you looked locally, like on Craigslist, for a machine? Sometimes you can get a good deal – and some people like to restore old machines. Most of my sewing is on mechanical machines, like Kenmores, etc., and buttonholes on the computerized ones. I have a Janome 6500, too, which is a flatbed, first computerized, and it does great. Today’s cheaper, non-computerized machines just don’t make it for me. Hence the Pfaff Passport 3.0, Presto, and finally Janome. I wanted a computerized machine to take to any class. Just looking at google maps, it appears you might want to try a Goodwill store or Barudan? You might find a good machine there – just saying, know nothing of the place.
I started out on my Mom’s Kenmore which I still have. In 1971, they gave me a new Kenmore which I used for a very long time. Then the Janome Quilter’s Dream mechanical for 15 or so years until November 2021, replaced with a Baby Lock Joy which has brought me no Joy! I will try to sell on FB. It will be great for a beginner learner. I have checked FB Marketplace nearly daily, and the sewing/fabric groups I’m in on FB for a good used one, the two Goodwill stores. I don’t know what Barudan is. I have looked online till I thought my eye balls would fall out. There are so many brands and models to look at, it’s unbelievable and overwhelming. So I took the plunge and, with my heart in my throat, ordered a Janome Skyline S3. It should be here Saturday. And I absolutely can’t wait! Thank you for your advice and conversations. I do truly aoppreiate it.
Good for you Pat! That’s great. I really like my Skyline S7 and the layout of the S3 is similar. The head and bed are good – the flat bed can be converted to free arm, the area over the needle and isn’t bulbous and hiding the needle. YouTube has a lot of videos on it – Janome Life has a 3-part series on using it.
There are a couple of areas where I find challenges on the Janome, but there are videos which help. Threading the upper tension around the squares requires some firm “clicks” in the thread path. It took me a while to get it right. I will also admit I have too often wound loose and sloppy bobbins on the bobbin winder, so I use a dedicated bobbin winder or another class 15 machine to wind the plastic bobbins when I am having a bad bobbin winidng day. I also use genuine Janome bobbins as they are better than the mass-produced ones (ie 1000 bobbins for 5 cents!). Here is a link to a good video by Montavilla Sewing: https://youtu.be/6JRctqVlTeM
This video helped resolve my upper threading issues and how to use the needle threader, too. The one thing that I have forgotten – and is clearly illustrated in this video – are the 2 thread guides by the needle. YouTube has lots of solutions for these problems!! The Montavilla Sewing channel has great videos and their series about common features of the Skyline series is so helpful. I bought a used Bernina 930 from them years ago, and I was very impressed with the price and shipping costs, but the packaging of the machine was so astonishing I have been a fan ever since!
I hope it all works out for you! I have tried other computerized sewing machines, but Janome is the one I always return to. Let me know how it goes. And you are very welcome – it’s always fun to talk sewing machines as far as I am concerned!! If you still have your old machines, the Kenmores, or can find a working metal machine that works and you like, get one – I have a small collection of machines – because there are times when the new machines just don’t always have the power for heavier layers of fabric.