If I had not seen the Pfaff Hobbylock 2.5 while visiting Cynthia’s Fine Fabrics in Tamarac, Florida, I never would have known about it at all. This four thread serger cannot be found anywhere on the Pfaff website.
Pfaff Hobbylock 2.5
Since it is listed on the Pfaff Netherlands website, I can’t figure out if the folks at SVP, the parent company that produces and distributes Singer, Viking and Pfaff sewing machines, are testing the Pfaff Hobbylock 2.5 in the US market or if they simply have not updated the Pfaff US website.
At A Glance
Dials on the right are for adjusting the speed and the ATD
The eye catching Pfaff Hobbylock 2.5 is sleek with smooth lines that give it a look that resembles a coverlock machine more than a serger.
There are no tension discs or dials because of the lay in threading system. The next thing I noticed were the five small dials… two on the right side and three on the left.
The dials on the left control the presser foot pressure, differential feed and cutting width. The dials on the right are for adjusting the speed and the ATD – auto tension dial.
Inside the looper door is an easy to follow threading guide, and a table that graphically describes the threading paths for the most popular stitch options… in many ways far less complicated than older sergers, and storage space for tweezers and a needle threader – the most frequently used accessories needed for operating any serger or coverlock machine.
Dials on the left control the presser foot pressure, differential feed and cutting width
There is also a large work surface and bright lighting that is placed in such a way that shadows are eliminated.
Features
- 15 stitch options
- Sews up to 1200 stitches per minute
- 2 sewing speeds
- Differential feed
- Adjustable stitch length and width
- Adjustable presser foot pressure
- Adjustable cutting width
Working on the Pfaff Hobbylock 2.5
For this review, I sampled the four thread chainstitch. However, making that choice was not an easy one. The Pfaff Hobbylock 2.5 has a clearly detailed threading guide and stitch selection guide right inside the looper door.
Clearly detailed threading guide
With this threading guide and stitch selection guide, a beginner could learn to operate the Pfaff Hobbylock 2.5 with just a little bit of hands on instruction.
The lay in tension discs plus simplified threading system have taken nearly all of the trepidation out of threading sergers that once was the biggest reason people shied away from acquiring a serger.
In addition to the easy to follow threading guide, the dials on the sides – Auto Tension Dial, differential feed, presser foot pressure adjustment dial and stitch length and width controls, all work together to help make your serging experience easier.
The stitches formed by the Pfaff Hobbylock 2.5 are evenly spaced, clearly defined and well formed. I have no doubt that by following the instructions detailed on the stitch selection guide anyone who uses this machine will find that all 15 of the available stitch options will be equally satisfying.
Stitch selection guide
The Hobbylock 2.5 is solidly built, quiet and has no vibration… which makes working on this machine even more enjoyable.
Evenly spaced, clearly defined and well formed
Taking care of the Pfaff Hobbylock 2.5 is easier than some older serger models as well. The simplified internal mechanism is easy to access and therefore easy to care for.
Simplified internal mechanism
Cleaning this machine after every use should take no more than a few minutes. When compared with older models, you could expect to spend about five to fifteen minutes to perform the same task.
Fabrics
- Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool
- Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet
- Knits
- Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester
- Leather/suede
- Fur
- Reptile skin
- Canvas/Twill
- Plastic/Rubber
- Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers
Accessories
- Screwdriver
- Extra upper blade
- Spool discs
- Oil dispenser
- Allen wrench
- Tweezers
- 4 Spool Holders
- Dust cover
- Lint brushes
- Waste tray
- Needles
- Interactive instructional DVD
- Optional extension table
Maintenance
| After each use | Monthly* | Once Each Year** | As Needed | |
| Clean race hook and feed dogs | ||||
| Wipe head with soft dry cloth | ||||
| Wipe head with soft damp cloth | ||||
| Lubricate | ||||
| Service by sewing machine repair professional |
Tying Off The Loose Ends
Anyone who gets an opportunity to work on the Pfaff Hobbylock 2.5 will be pleasantly surprised at how good it feels and how well it performs. The stitch quality is better than expected as well as the way it performs.
Ironically this is the second time that I have come across a machine made by SVP [Singer – Viking – Pfaff] that has apparently been available in Europe for a while and is just now beginning to be offered in the United States.
The other machine – the Singer Coverstitch 14T970C – turned out to be much better than any Singer machine I have reviewed in more than 3 years. I must say that reviewing the Hobbylock 2.5 was a more pleasant experience than reviewing other Pfaffs as well.
Perhaps this is signal that the folks at SVP are waking up to the fact that folks here in the good ole USA are worthy of better quality machines just as our European counterparts.
I think the Hobbylock 2.5 is a good choice for sewers at all skill levels. The beginner would definitely be able to benefit from the easier to master threading system.
Seasoned home sewers will most likely be even more pleased with the threading system because they have a frame of reference. After having worked on sergers with intricate, complicated threading systems, they would certainly appreciate the simplified threading on the Pfaff Hobbylock 2.5.
But that’s not the only thing that is simplified. The five on board control dials make it possible to change from one stitch option to another without having to stop to change thread paths, switch needle plates or make other mechanical adjustments. The only challenge is to remember which dial to turn and where it is located.
Although I believe the Pfaff Hobbylock 2.5 is a good choice for beginners, I do not recommend its use by anyone younger than 10 or 12 years of age. Tiny fingers might get I the way of the blades, and we don’t want to discourage anyone from sewing because they had an unfortunate mishap when they were very young.
Taking this one home will not break the bank. The Hobbylock 2.5 is not one of those throw away machines. It is by no means what I would call inexpensive; however, it is very reasonably priced. The MSRP is $699. A visit to your local Pfaff dealer is definitely worth the time and effort.
If you are interested in adding the Pfaff Hobbylock 2.5 to your own sewing room, you owe it to yourself to visit your local Pfaff dealer and ask for a demonstration. No doubt, they will be willing to work with you to get you the best deal possible.
Unfortunately, you cannot read much about it on the internet before going to the store. I could not find an English version the Pfaff Hobbylock 2.5 marketing material.
I did, however, find plenty of information on sites generated in the Netherlands. Thank goodness for the Google ‘translation’ option. With that I was able to get a translation of the main page, but there was no way to translate the brochure, manual or other Pfaff promotional material about the Hobbylock 2.5
Of course, if you speak Dutch, you have nothing to be concerned about. Just go to the Pfaff website, select the Netherlands and read all about it.