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Pfaff Hobbylock 2.5 Review (2023 Update)
Note from the Editor: This Pfaff Hobbylock 2.5 Review was originally written in 2014, and has been revised and updated in 2023. We have added alternatives such as SINGER | Heavy Duty Serger Overlock Machine, Janome 8002D, and JUKI MO644D.
If I had not seen the Pfaff Hobbylock 2.5, which I have reviewed here today, 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.
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.
Pfaff Hobbylock 2.5 Overview
The Pfaff Hobbylock 2.5 is a versatile and reliable overlock machine that is ideal for finishing edges, creating seams, and hemming a wide range of fabrics. It features a variety of stitch options, including three and four-thread overlock stitches, rolled hem, and flatlock stitches. The machine also has adjustable stitch length, differential feed, and thread tension for precise and even stitching. Other features include a built-in thread cutter, a color-coded threading system for easy setup, and a free arm for sewing cuffs and sleeves. Additionally, the Pfaff Hobbylock 2.5 has a sturdy and durable design, with a metal frame and a robust cutting system for clean and accurate cutting of fabric edges. This machine is also easy to use and maintain, with a removable stitch finger for easy access to the needle area and a waste tray for easy cleanup. Overall, the Pfaff Hobbylock 2.5 is an excellent choice for anyone who wants a high-quality overlock machine for a wide range of sewing projects.
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.
There is also a large work surface and bright lighting that is placed in such a way that shadows are eliminated.
What are some alternatives for Pfaff Hobbylock 2.5?
We have reviewed several overlock machines like Pfaff Hobbylock 2.5, and here are some we highly recommend.
The best heavy-duty serger machine you can purchase without spending a lot of money is the Singer X5004HD. It is quite simple to change the thread tension in the Singer X5004HD. Sewers can quickly and easily employ a variety of sewing techniques by just turning the thread tension selector.
This serger machine truly shines when it comes to cutting thick textiles. All of this acclaim might be credited to the included knife, which makes it simple for sewers to cut through thick materials.
An easy-to-follow threading manual is provided on the front of the machine. This serger also features an integrated LED light to maximize the efficiency of your workspace.
- Budget-friendly
- It eliminates the raveling seams problem
- This machine is much louder and it vibrates a lot
- Threading is quite difficult
The Janome 8002D serger is an easy-to-use serger device with the ability to perform really fast. With its high-speed and precision, you can create professional-looking edges and seams in minutes. The machine features a 3 or 4 thread overlock stitching capability, allowing you to finish raw edges, create rolled hems, and add decorative edges to your projects.
The Janome 8002D also has a differential feed system, which helps prevent puckering and stretching of the fabric. It allows you to adjust the ratio of the differential feed to suit different types of fabrics. The machine also has an adjustable cutting width and stitch length, allowing you to customize your sewing to fit your project.
The Janome 8002D is also easy to use, with color-coded threading guides and a built-in thread cutter. The machine comes with a range of accessories, such as spare needles, screwdrivers, and tweezers, making it a complete package for your sewing needs.
Overall, the Janome 8002D is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a reliable and versatile serger that can handle a wide range of sewing projects. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced sewer, this machine is sure to meet your needs and exceed your expectations.
Juki MO644D is a 2/3/4 thread serger with auto-rolled hem and a color coded threading breakaway looper adjustment for stitch length and differential feed. It does not sew very heavy fabrics but can work with lightweight and medium weighing fabrics really well. Stitching speed rides up to a good 1500SPM and working with this is rather easy. This device is really quiet while working on fabrics is very smooth. It is a really good device for beginners and people who dont do heavy sewing.
What are the features on Pfaff Hobbylock 2.5?
- 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.
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.
The Hobbylock 2.5 is solidly built, quiet and has no vibration… which makes working on this machine even more enjoyable.
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.
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.
Which fabrics work on the Pfaff Hobbylock 2.5?
| Fabrics that work | Fabrics that don’t work |
|---|---|
| Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester Knits(Medium to heavyweight only) Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers | Leather/suede Fur Reptile skin Canvas/Twill Plastic/Rubber Upholstery |
What are the accessories that come with Pfaff Hobbylock 2.5?
- 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
How to maintain the Pfaff Hobbylock 2.5?
| Maintenance activities | After each use | Monthly | Once each year | As needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clean race hook and feed dogs | Yes | No | No | No |
| Wipe head with soft dry cloth | No | No | No | Yes |
| Wipe head with soft damp cloth | No | No | No | Yes |
| Lubricate | No | No | No | Yes |
| Service by sewing machine repair professional | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Pfaff Hobbylock 2.5 Summary
To conclude my review, 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.
Pfaff Hobbylock 2.5 Review
Summary
The Pfaff Hobbylock 2.5 is a basic serger that is easy to use and has a variety of features that make it a versatile machine. It has 3 thread sewing system, which means that it uses 3 threads to sew. It has 3 built-in stitches: Overlock, 3-Thread Overlock, and Rolled Hem. It has a differential feed, which allows you to control the amount of fabric that is fed into the machine. It has a free arm, which allows you to sew cuffs and other small, cylindrical objects. It is a good option for beginners and experienced sewers on a budget.
Overall, the Pfaff Hobbylock 2.5 is a good serger for those who are looking for an easy-to-use machine with a variety of features. However, it is important to note that it has a limited stitch selection and not as many features as some other machines.
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Happy Stitching.
This machine is also featured on the Pfaff Canada site! Eh!
Any ideashow much a 7yr old hobbylock 4842 would cost?
Hasn’t been a good machine for me..nothing but problems since day one , not even one year old and had it repairs 3 times. So I will throw it away and buy something different.
I’ve had the previous version and liked it a lot; can’t wait to update to this later version. I believe they have improved the lighting which was my main pet peeve with the previous version. And the sewing area seems to be bigger too!