Fixing Frustrating Thread Issues on my Pfaff Creative Vision

In this video, I show a few changes that I have made to the machine to make it cooperate.

[@SimplySew1]

I know you posted this video a while ago so you may or may not know this by now. When this machine first came out a lot of people had thread shredding issues with it. Pfaff did address it by bringing out an updated uptake lever which had an extra piece of plastic attached to the top for the thread to sit behind (hard to explain but I could send you a photo of it if it helps, just let me know where to send it to). If your CV does not have this piece of plastic already attached to the uptake lever it may be worth speaking to a Pfaff dealer to see if you can get one. It did help a lot with the issues. I used this machine happily for years, it is a fabulous machine once you get used to its quirks.

[@jamesrogers991]

Thank you. I have the plastic part on the take-up level. Your information will be very helpful to others as well.

[@iameverythingeverythingisme]

My thread keep breaking from the top on a Pfaff 1214. Any suggestions?

[@comis6863]

Can you send me the pics with the extra plastic. I just got this machine and it will not embroider. Thx sc

[@johannamacdougall2992]

Thank you, James, for your video. I was having problems with the upper thread caused by a wee piece of fluff in the cover for the thread guide. After cleaning that, my machine worked perfectly.

[@kabel3432]

Thank you for this tutorial. I have creative icon and am experiencing exactly the same issue. Luckily am still under warranty for fixing the issue, but this video helped to know what's going on with it!

[@tessmoore3762]

Cool! I have an older version of this machine, the 4.0 but it does the same thing. I will see what I can do to adjust its attitude!

[@brunoboieiro230]

thanks for the video, I have a pfaff creative sensation, she sews very well but when it comes to embroidering the problems start, I'll try to follow the method you used to see if it works, thanks

[@judymasterman8511]

I too have this machine and its a frisbee. I keep getting "check needle thread" after it stops and then there is nothing wrong with the needle thread, its still threaded and all i do is hit start again and then of course it stops again, im glad i found this, im going to make the changes to my machine that you made to yours.

[@ediblelawnurbanfarm4968]

I have a Viking Topaz 30 that has these same tension issue, there is a littel spring below the lower thread guide that works like a sensor, when it pulls up too high it trips the sensor and stops my machine. I went in and bent the little bastard down out of the way with some pliers. I now cannot trust my machine at all to stop when a thread breaks and must babsit it, but its stopped stopping.

[@countrymusicandwesties]

Thank you for sharing your video. I’m considering purchasing this machine used. Do you have any advice or info you can share that would benefit me?

[@comis6863]

I can't seem to get it to work. I ordered a new plastic cover for the threading area and took some detailed pics of the differences between the old and new one. I also took a video of the mechanism behind the plastic cover that I could share. I cant for the life of me see where you put the metal but I do understand the shreading issue. I see that you have answered some threads below.

[@jamesrogers991]

I put a piece of metal in the bottom of the tensioner spring to keep the thread from popping out. But the more significant piece is where the thread rubs on the front plastic. This creates a groove over time which makes the thread shred. I was surprised to see that even on steel machines, the thread will create a channel. Fortunately, it is easy to put a piece of fresh metal to make it pass smoothly.

[@comis6863]

It creates grooves on that metal part - wow - as I look around the inside of the threading area i see other places where they have placed metal into the plastic where it would contact the thread during sewing. With respect to the thread popping out - in looking at the new part - they created a deeper groove for the thread sensor to move up and down - if you look closely at the older part, you can see that the thread sensor might have been scraping the back of the part. They have also changed the wedge at the top of the cover where the thread sensor tops out. Do you have a better picture of this metal piece you added - I still cant figure out how it works and still lets the thread be threaded? Maybe you also have the picture from SimplySew1 with the uptake lever update. I think these machines will be changing hands soon as original owners did with mine so people will turn to the internet to re-learn/re-fix them. Thanks and sorry about trying to reach you on the other channel. Cheers @@jamesrogers991

[@comis6863]

I just bought this machine used to try it out. Do you have any still pics of the mods you made? The video is a little blurry.... Thx

[@karenwood404]

Hi James, I am having trouble understanding how you placed the metal piece in the front area to keep the thread from jumping out of that hook. I see a metal piece, but have no idea where it is attached. Is it attached front to back of that metal hook or just in front? I suppose if I understood the concept of how that additional metal piece worked, I might understand where to attach it. Any help you can offer would be appreciated. Thanks!

[@jamesrogers991]

I should have explained things better. The upside-down hook in which the thread spring/senor bounces up and down pulls out towards you. It just pushes straight in. There is room for small wires be put in the same hole and then come out to hook over the bottom as I show. Remember to life the bobbin sensor out of the way when pushing that hook back in.

[@CircuitHusky]

Hello there James, I want to thank you for taking the time to diagnose your machine and point out the flaws you found great solutions for. I am currently in the process of rebuilding this same machine I purchased as junk from a local on Craigslist. Things like replacing all capacitors on the electronics board, built a new and more stable power supply, but I had not found a solution to the thread breaking even after fully servicing the unit with the factory service manual. I will be implenting your fixes very soon and look forward to finally making progress with this machine. Also I was wondering if you had any updates on your progress? Have you continued to show success in overcoming thread breaking? Thanks!

[@jamesrogers991]

Thank you for your feedback. I am amazed at your technical prowess -- I wish I hade that talent, but everyone has gifts. The machine worked really really well after this change so the first time I am happy with the machine. I will be producing a new video soon (upon request) on how to engage the embroidery functions. And then I am going to try to embroidery on knits (I like a challenge) to see if this machine will cooperate fine.

[@CircuitHusky]

@@jamesrogers991 Its such a relief to hear that you made that machine happy again. The two main issues most users come across are constant thread breakage and power issues. If you ever encounter the power issues, I believe I have solved the problem and would be more than happy to make a write up about it. Good luck with your future projects and I look forward to seeing any future progress you make.

[@jamesrogers991]

@@CircuitHusky Greetings, I am hoping that you can help me. I am starting to get the power issues (overload) so I was wondering if you know how to fix the power supply.

[@CircuitHusky]

@@jamesrogers991 Hey, sorry for the late reply. I would need to contact you directly so we can discuss the problem in more detail.

[@CircuitHusky]

@@jamesrogers991 Did you ever get your machine power supply problems sorted out?

[@vickimaddenstudio]

The tiny little thread guide above the needle, that little piece of wire that fits just so above the needle... I need one of those but can't find one anyplace! Also, my machine keeps turning off and on on it's own. I have a "parts" machine I can borrow parts from but I don't know what I need to borrow to fix the on off problem. Ideas?

[@jamesrogers991]

I have been able to order parts for this machine from the UK and a dealer in Montreal. There may be a dealer close to you who can ship the parts.

[@sewbear]

Having similar issues but with tension on my 4.0. Can you tell me how to remove the top “flip up stitch chart” cover flap? I see you’ve removed yours but can’t seem to figure how to get mine off!

[@jamesrogers991]

There are two pins at the edge which act as a hinge. You need to grab both ends and squeeze to bend the cover slightly in the middle. It feels a little scary at first, but unless you are incredibly strong it will bend without breaking and the pins will pull out. You only need one pin to pull out of the bracket and then the lid comes off.

[@ruthbrown1641]

Which is the foot that you have ordered please??

[@jamesrogers991]

The genuine hopping foot for Pfaff embroidery.www.google.ca/search?hl=fr&tbm=isch&sxsrf=ALeKk02NH9xH02ZCYu8ylFA39I45XSVbxQ%3A1594482399986&source=hp&biw=1366&bih=663&ei=394JX_-jOca7tQbX7ozIAw&q=pfaff+6d+foot&oq=pfaff+6d+foot&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzoCCAA6BAgAEB5Q7g5YpC1gti5oAHAAeAGAAacGiAGcGJIBDTEuMi4yLjAuMi4xLjGYAQCgAQGqAQtnd3Mtd2l6LWltZw&sclient=img&ved=0ahUKEwi_j7LoxcXqAhXGXc0KHVc3AzkQ4dUDCAc&uact=5#imgrc=I2mXAEd3H67tsM

[@krystleroy3068]

I having the same problem I treadeded it over and over and bunches up on the tension if u go fast on a zigzag pissing me off I know I’m using the wrong foot but I lost my reg foot so I was using a decorative foot ? I feel like that should not matter yes 👍 my thread was shredding probably dirty on mine

[@katpaints]

Not long ago, I ordered off-market feet to replace one that was lost and one where the pins dropped out. They were reasonably priced and work perfectly on that A company.

[@sheyrieg6473]

My creative sensation pro is giving me that same issue… super annoying.

[@caminielaurans9391]

help urgently how to stop bobbin thread stuck and not flowing

[@jamesrogers991]

Are you able to pull the bobbin thread with your fingers or tweezers? Have you lifted the stitch plate recently? There is quite a bit of activity in the bobbin area. For example, the thread cutter, the bobbin race, the bobbin, the bobbin race holder, feed dogs. Check that the thread flows smoothly off the bobbin. Plastic bobbins can get a crack or chip which can bind the thread. You can use a nail file to smooth a chip. Cracks can be more difficult to fix. Damaged bobbins should be thrown out. Sometimes the thread on a bobbin is the last and so must be preserved. Either wind the thread from a damaged bobbin onto a good one or try a temporary fix until the project is finished and then throw it out.

[@caminielaurans9391]

thanks very much for taking the time to answer just saw message not sure but the problem seems to be fixed happy new year and all the best for 2024 @@jamesrogers991

[@Archiewinter920]

Has your thread cutter ever worked?

[@jamesrogers991]

The thread cutter works fine with sewing but is hit and miss with embroidery.

[@Archiewinter920]

@@jamesrogers991 mine is the same, sewing is spot on, embroidery, it's hit and miss. Someone did say that it's not designed for cutting whilst embroidering, but I just don't know for sure.