PFAFF PFLASHBACK: Creative 1471 - Experience Creativity Without Limits

PFAFF Presents: creative 1471 - Experience creativity without limits

 

PFAFF Educational Consultant Teri Angeline Wasserbach makes it easy to learn how to use the computerized Pfaff Creative 1471 and helps owners realize their full creative potential.

An accomplished seamstress and fashion designer, Ms. Wasserbach covers the basics of operating the machine and points out the machine’s controls and functions. She demonstrates the many unique features of the Pfaff Creative 1471, such as its 32 computer memories, built-in electronic instruction guide, automatic needle threader and exclusive built-in dual feed walking foot.

She discusses wide varieties of the machine’s 180 built-in stitch programs and shows how the computer can modify or combine them to create a virtually unlimited number of stitch designs. Ms. Wasserbach also explains the Creative 1471’s innovative free programming feature and shows how users can create their own stitch programs and actually sew any design they can sketch.

If you have older VHS tapes or DVDs that you would like to donate to be digitally transferred and added to the PFAFF Talk YouTube channel, please send an email. I am currently looking for older Sewing With Nancy episodes and video releases (up to 2005); as well as official PFAFF instructional, starter guide, and promotional videos (up to 2005).

PFAFF PFLASHBACK: The History of PFAFF -- Ownership Changes Part II (1993-2000)

This installation of PFAFF PFLASHBACK is part two of the popular History & Ownership Changes article that I wrote several months ago. Covering the years 1993-2000, it actually predates the time period covered in the last article. This is a rather bizarre and convoluted story, but clears up the many rumors of why PFAFF went bankrupt in late 1999, and why it was sold a few months later to Viking in April 2000.

1993-2000

In 1993, 72% of G.M. Pfaff AG (PFAFF) was sold to Hong Kong-based company Semi-Tech Global Ltd. for $73 million (USD). Semi-Tech Global was controlled by a Chinese-Canadian businessman named James Ting, who was one of Hong Kong's most successful businessmen at the time, accumulating a large empire worth five billion dollars. Semi-Tech Corp. (based in Ontario, Canada) owned Semi-Tech Global, along with various electronic companies including Singer N.V. (Singer), which was purchased in 1989 and rebranded. 

In 1997, Ting had Singer purchase PFAFF from sister company Semi-Tech Global (which now owned 81% of PFAFF) for $150 million. The other 19% remained on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. This seemed like an odd acquisition because Singer was not doing well financially, and in the prior year PFAFF generated $448 million in sales. Clearly something was not right.

The black sheep of the PFAFF 7500 series -- the creative 7560. Originally designed for Singer during the mid-1990s while both companies were owned by related companies. This model was eventually released under the PFAFF brand for unknown reasons. It has no IDT dual feed and is different in appearance than the other 7500 series models. Later released was a limited-edition 7562 model which included the IDT dual feed.

In September 1999, both PFAFF and Singer filed for bankruptcy within days of each other. PFAFF's bankruptcy was partially due to Singer's debt. The Ontario-based Semi-Tech Corp., which owned around 50% of Singer's common stock, had filed for Chapter 11 protection one week prior. The company claimed Semi-Tech's bankruptcy was unrelated to that of PFAFF and Singer, but it was apparent all was not well within the group controlled by Ting.

Around this same time, multiple companies operated by Ting, including Singer and PFAFF, were all injected into a company called Grande Holdings. This company was also owned and operated by James Ting; along with Christopher & Stanley Ho (also of Hong Kong's wealthiest businessmen at the time). None of the shareholders or banks were notified, a highly illegal act that wasn't realized by the courts until many years later. As it turns out, there were bad bonds, bad behavior, and hundreds of millions of dollars had been stolen from Canadian shareholders. Vast sums of money went missing from the various companies owned by the Semi-Tech Corp. -- about $2 billion total in cash and assets.

The bankruptcy of Singer, PFAFF and the Semi-Tech Corp resulted in the collapse of Ting's empire. In 2000, with hundreds of millions (if not billions) in cash and assets still on hand, he was on the run and wanted in Canada, United States, and Hong Kong. He was eventually arrested in 2003 while getting off a plane in Macau, and imprisoned in 2005 on two counts of false accounting related to the fictitious purchase of a company called MicroMain Systems. He was released one year later following errors in the prosecution's case. Ting has not been seen since, with his whereabouts being unknown to this day.

It should be noted that in terms of product quality and production, amazingly nothing seemed to have changed at PFAFF despite all of the drama happening behind the scenes. Machines were still made in Germany and assembled in the Czech Republic by Zetina (these machines have "Made in Germany" on the serial plates). The quality during this era was very high. In fact, this time period is arguably when the best computerized models were produced, such as the 7550 and 7570; both of which are still highly sought-after models that have retained extremely steady values in the used sewing machine market.

Aftermath

Because PFAFF was essentially bankrupted due to a money laundering scheme by James Ting, Viking were able to quickly purchase the company, likely for a very small amount of money. Viking and PFAFF were then sold to the equity firm Kohlberg & Co. in 2006 to form SVP Worldwide (reuniting PFAFF and Singer), and in 2018 SVP was sold to another equity firm, Ares Management. 

So there you have it, some arcane PFAFF history showing the dark side of the sewing world!

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PFANTASTIC PFAFFS: Creative 7530 & 7510: Computer Sewing Delights

Welcome to the debut edition of PFANTASTIC PFAFFS, which will cover various PFAFF models from 1983-2005.

This edition covers the creative 7510 & 7530 models. The following is the dealer brochure which covers all of the technical information for both models. Scroll down to view the entire brochure, or click the upper right icon below to pop out and view in PDF format.

PFAFF PFLASHBACK: Sewing With Nancy - Sew Again -- A Refresher Course (VHS, 1991)

Sewing with Nancy (The PFAFF Years) - Sew Again -- A Refresher Course

Nancy Zieman, hostess of tv's SEWING WITH NANCY. brings her 3-part series on Sew Again- A Refresher Course to you in this 60 minute video.

Highlights:
• Eliminating bulky neckline and armhole facings
• Fine tuning neckline facings with slit openings
• Providing for easy waistline and hemline adjustments
• Worry-free gathering techniques
• Stitching a 30 minute patternless skirt
• Inserting lapped zippers with only two lines of machine stitching
• Adding professional looking waistbands
• Stitching perfect buttonholes
• Mastering knit sewing techniques

Reference Material:
To accompany this video, Nancy has written a fully illustrated booklet titled Sew Again—A Refresher Course.

In this video, Nancy used a PFAFF Creative 1475 sewing machine.



If you have older VHS tapes or DVDs that you would like to donate to be digitally transferred and added to the PFAFF Talk YouTube channel, please send an email. I am currently looking for older Sewing With Nancy episodes and video releases (up to 2005); as well as official PFAFF instructional, starter guide, and promotional videos (up to 2005).

PFAFF PFILES: Creative 1475 CD Instructional Video Series (VHS, 1991)

PFAFF How-To Video Series -- creative 1475 CD: For the Look That's As Bold As Your Imagination

Training Manager Philip Pepper and Educational Consultant Crystal Thoma make it easy to use the Pfaff creative 1475 CD and help you realize you full creative potential.

Volume 1

In Volume 1, Philip and Crystal cover the basics of the machine including all of the keys and their functions, the automatic needle threader and exclusive built-in Dual Feed. They show easy step by step threading, bobbin winding, and provide an informative discussion of the threads and needles. Crystal shows the advantage of multiple needle position stitches, zig zag stitches and utility stitches. Philip demonstrates how easy it is to blindhem, flathem and sew corded buttonholes in both pre-programmed and programmable styles. You'll see how quick it is to program any of the alphabets into the memory using the Creative Designer. All new Maxi-Stitch, Maxi-Monogram and exclusive 0-way feed designs are highlighted. Ideas for appliques, twin needle sewing and using utility stitches decoratively give a new twist to machine embroidery.


Volume 2

They take you step by step and teach you how to draw and enter your own designs into Pfaff's exclusive free programming P-Memories. Philip demonstrate heirloom techniques including rolling and whipping, bridging, corded pin tucks, entreduex and cutwork with Richelieu bars. Crystal adds to this the pin stitch, bridging with the cording blade and several Swiss insertions to embroider. They also show you how to use extra accessories like the ruffler, fringe foot, applique foot and new ways to use the fringe foot and some unusual eyelets. They also demonstrate how to adapt hand cross stitch patterns for the 1475 CD and provide tips on combining them into a simple border. The Maxi-Stitches are given a whole new look with a technique called bobbin work.

Philip Pepper is a well known designer and instructor. He's taught classes and demonstrated across the United States as well as in Australia and Canada.

Crystal Thoma travels the country giving seminars and classes. As well as being an accomplished tailor, she's worked many years in television broadcasting, both in front of and behind the camera.

1991 Copyright by PFAFF AMERICAN SALES CORP.

If you have older VHS tapes or DVDs that you would like to donate to be digitally transferred and added to the PFAFF Talk YouTube channel, please send an email. I am currently looking for older Sewing With Nancy episodes and video releases (pre-2003); as well as official PFAFF instructional, starter guide, and promotional videos.

PFAFF PFLASHBACK: The History of PFAFF Pamphlet (1862-2005) & Ownership Changes (2000-now)

To start off with the first installation of PFAFF PFLASHBACK, this is a pamphlet printed in 2006 which provides a condensed history of PFAFF from 1862-2005. This is one of the last print pieces from VSM before the SVP acquisition (more on this below).

Ownership Changes: 2000-2006

The domestic division of PFAFF, G.M. Pfaff  AG, was purchased by Viking Sewing Machines AB from Singer N.V. in April 2000 (later changed to VSM Group in July 2002), eventually ending the German-made era of PFAFF. During 2001-2002, VSM moved the production of new PFAFF models to Sweden. However, existing models (pre-VSM acquisition) were still made in Germany until at least the first quarter of 2001, possibly later (if you have a post first-quarter 2001 German machine, please comment). Although the quality of the new Swedish models were still fantastic, a few corners were cut.

In 2001, VSM moved PFAFF production from Germany to the Czech Republic. To do this, they created a company called VSM Production s.r.o., which allowed PFAFF to fully operate under its own management. Previously since 1991, a company called Zetina had been performing final assembly duties on PFAFF machines in Brno, Czech Republic (meaning some, or possibly all 1991-2001 German-made PFAFFs were made in Germany, but actually assembled in the Czech Republic). VSM Production s.r.o. operated in the existing Zetina premises in Brno because VSM had already invested so heavily in the facilities, therefor it made no sense to build a new factory. They also retained some of the Zetina employees. Product quality remained the same after the move to the Czech Republic as little had changed.

During this time, some PFAFF machines were still being made in Sweden, but it is unclear as to how both factories were simultaneously operating (for instance, all 2140 models were made in Sweden, as well as early 2144s; with the rest being made in the Czech Republic). I think at some point around 2005-2006, all PFAFF production moved to the Czech Republic factory.

In December 2005, the VSM Group was acquired by the American equity firm Kohlberg & Company, who already owned Singer, leading to the formation of SVP Worldwide (interestingly, PFAFF and Singer already had history together as Singer briefly owned an 81% stake in the company from 1997-2000 -- more information about this can be found here). It is worth noting that by this time, PFAFF's IDT patent had, or was set to expire (ending their exclusive rights to use to the dual feed system); and VSM sales in the United States had fallen quite a bit -- both of which likely contributed to the sale of VSM.

After this acquisition, new PFAFF models were given a complete overhaul, essentially becoming Vikings with dual feed (AKA Pfikings). At some point, new PFAFF models were once again produced in Sweden, but eventually moved to China (where they are currently made). I am under the impression that during this time the Czech Republic factory was still producing older PFAFF models, such as the 2170, until discontinuation sometime during the late 2000s. The SVP machines produced in Sweden and the Czech Republic are some of, if not the last European-made sewing machines in the world.

In 2018, SVP Worldwide was sold to Ares Management, and again in 2021 to Platinum Equity.

All of the changes PFAFF made from 2000-2007 is somewhat convoluted -- I've done the best I can to piece all of the above together. Corrections and additional information via the comments or email will be much appreciated.