Several of the utility stitches and the quilt stitches engage the IDT system with the presser foot to ensure even feed of the fabric under the needle. It’s recommended to use stabilizer under your fabric when using the decorative stitches; I usually don’t when I’m sewing selvages as there are already two layers of material. This time I’m making a second stitch sampler with stabilizer to see how the stitches compare when I make adjustments to their length or width.
All of these buttons are easily accessible right on the front of the passport 3.0. I find I get into a rhythm and really enjoy trying out different stitches because the machine is doing most of the work and I just get to play! Push down to release the presser foot from the PFAFF passport 3.0; presser foot released.
Presser feet included with the PFAFF passport 3.0
Stitching the samplers Second stitch sampler layered with stabilizer
I started with stitches at the top of the pullout card and went down. To select a stitch I pressed the number keys to the left of the LED display. Then I pushed the “i” button beneath the display to find out the recommended presser foot to use with the stitch.
Before stitching, I pressed the needle down button to keep the needle in the fabric whenever I stopped sewing.
I also used the Start/stop button to sew the stitches instead of using the foot peddle. I like doing this for this type of project because for several of the stitches, the needle goes in different directions to stitch. By using the stop/ start button I can focus on feeding the fabric straight under the guide and leave the actual stitching to the machine. I also lowered the speed of the machine which is easy to do by sliding the speed control down to about halfway. The machine is much better at stitching at a consistent speed than I'm!
Pressing “i” button to display presser foot recommendation
Changing the presser foot
Picking the stitches is easy and they’re all ready with automatic preset sizes – which you can change! You can adjust the stitch width or position, and the stitch length. A yellow light goes on to show you that you’re changing one of the presets; if you go too far one way or the other, the machine beeps and prevents you from adjusting any further. I like this feature because it lets me know that the passport 3.0 has built in safeguards so I can’t get into trouble by making the machine do something it just can’t do. This makes it safe for someone like me to play and try new things.
The yellow warning light
I got so into my stitches that I didn’t take photos of the process! Instead I was taking notes of which stitches I picked and what I adjusted. Take a look at my two stitch samplers on the next page!
Needle down, start/stop, and speed control on the PFAFF passport 3.0
There are several presser feet included with the passport 3.0. To change the presser foot you push down on the foot to release it from the presser foot holder. Pick the presser foot that you need and once it is lined up with the holder you just push up – you’ll hear and feel it pop into place.
QUILTsocial
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