Creative Pfaff 3 Manual

							4:13
Sewing mode
Sewing techniques 
These techniques may require some special presser 
feet and accessories.
Sewing in zippers
There are different ways to sew in zippers. Follow 
the directions included with your pattern for best 
results.
For some types of zippers it is important to sew 
close to the teeth of the zipper. The zipper foot 4 
can be snapped to the presser foot bar on the left 
or right, depending on how you will insert your 
zipper. Then set the stitch position so that it enters 
close to the edge of the zipper teeth by using one 
of the 37 needle positions available for the straight 
stitch. 
Note: If the presser foot is attached on the right side of the 
presser foot bar, the needle must only be moved to the left. 
If the foot is attached on the left side of the presser foot 
bar, the needle must only be moved to the right. 
Sewing KHPVLQKHDY\IDEULF
When sewing over seams in extra heavy fabric or 
a blue jeans hem, the presser foot can tip as the 
machine climbs over the seam. 
Use the multipurpose tool to balance the height of 
the presser foot as you sew. One side of the tool is 
thicker than the other. Use the side that suits the 
thickness of the seam best. 
Engage the IDT
™ system, see page 2:8. At the 
thickest point on the fabric, slow down the sewing 
speed.
Tip! Increasing the stitch length may improve the sewing 
result when sewing hems in heavy fabric.
Left side  Right side 
						

							4:14Sewing mode
Three-step zigzag stitch
Stich number 1.1.9 can be used to overcast raw 
edges. Make sure the needle pierces the fabric on 
the left side and overcasts the edge on the right side.
Stitch number 1.1.9 can also be used as an 
elastic stitch to add elastic to pajamas, skirts and 
sportswear.
Blindhem stitch
The blindhem stitch number 1.1.16 is used to 
make invisible hems on skirts, trousers and home 
decorating. Use foot number 3 with IDT
™ system.
•  Finish the edge of the hem.
•  Fold and press the hem allowance to the wrong 
side.
•  Fold the hem back on itself so approximately 
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the fold. The wrong side of your project should 
now be facing up.
•  Place the fabric under the presser foot so that 
the fold runs along edge guide A.
•  When the needle swings into the fold it should 
catch a small amount of fabric. If the stitches are 
visible on the right side, adjust edge guide A by 
turning adjusting screw B until the stitch that 
catches the hem just barely shows.
Elastic blindhem stitch
The elastic blind stitch number 1.1.17 is especially 
suitable for stretchy fabrics, because the zigzag in 

and sewn at the same time. There is no need to 
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Blindhem stitch 
number 1.1.16Elastic blindhem 
stitch number 1.1.17
B
A 
						

							4:15
Sewing mode
Buttonholes
Buttonholes are found in category 1, subcategory 1.3 
in the selection menu. 
Note: Buttonholes up to 50mm can be sewn using 
the Sensormatic buttonhole foot 5A. Both sides of the 
Sensormatic buttonhole are sewn in the same direction 
for a more even result.
Buttonholes over 50mm are sewn manually in four steps 
with presser foot 5M.
The direction of the stitches being sewn will be 
indicated on the screen by an arrow next to the 
buttonhole.

then select your buttonhole. To ensure a good result, 
start with sewing a test sample on the fabric and 
stabilizer you will use.
Note: Make sure that the IDT
™ system is disengaged.
Attaching the Sensormatic buttonhole foot
1.  Snap on the Sensormatic buttonhole foot. 
2.  Plug the cord into the socket found to the 
left above the needle area, behind the needle 
threader (A).
Sensormatic buttonhole
When you sew a buttonhole with the Sensormatic 
buttonhole foot, adjust the slit length so that it is 
slightly larger than the size of the button. You can 
measure your button using the button ruler on the 
lid.
Set the slit length and make sure that the red 
arrow lines up with the marking on the foot (B). 
Start sewing by pressing the foot control or start/
stop button. The buttonhole will be completed 
automatically and the threads are cut. You can 
repeat the buttonhole as many times as you wish.
A
B
Slit length 
						

							4:16Sewing mode
Manual buttonhole
To sew a manual buttonhole, use presser foot 
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buttonhole. Touch the reverse button. The machine 
sews the bartack and the second column. When the 
columns are aligned, press the reverse button to sew 
the second bartack.
Repeat a manual buttonhole
When you have adjusted your buttonhole, use the 
repeat buttonhole function to sew identical copies. 
As long as that icon is selected, the machine will 
repeat the buttonhole over and over again. Repeat 
buttonhole is only visible when sewing a buttonhole 
manually.
To cancel the function, just deselect the icon. 
The repeat function will also be cancelled if any 
adjustments are made.
Corded buttonhole
Corded buttonholes that are sewn with gimp 
threads are more stable, durable and have a 
professional appearance. Use pearl cotton or a 
regular gimp thread.
1.  Place the center of a length of gimp thread over 
the metal bar extending from the center back of 
the Manual buttonhole foot 5M. Pass the thread 
ends under the foot to the front of the foot.
2.  Snap on the Manual buttonhole foot 5M. 
3.  After completing the buttonhole, pull the ends 
of the gimp thread until the loop of thread is 
hidden below the buttonhole bartack.
4.  Thread the gimp threads into a needle and pull 
them to the wrong side of the garment. Tie the 
gimp threads and cut off the excess thread.
Repeat buttonhole 
						

							4:17
Sewing mode
Sew on a button
To sew on a button, remove the presser foot and 
select the sew on button stitch. Lower the feed dogs, 
see page 2:9.
Place the button under the presser foot holder. Use 
the mirror side to side icon to make sure the holes in 
the button are aligned with the swing of the needle 
and the width is appropriate for the actual button. 
If needed change the stitch width to align with the 
holes in the button with the stitch width control.
If needed, increase or decrease the number of 
stitches that will fasten the button on the fabric, 
using the button stitch repetition icons. Start to sew. 
The machine will sew the program for you.
Note: Use the multi-purpose tool to create a thread shank 
for your button. You can also use a sew on button foot, 
available as an optional accessory at your local authorized 
PFAFF
® dealer.
Darning
Darning a small hole or a tear before it becomes 
larger can save a garment. Choose a lightweight 
thread in a color as close to your garment as 
possible.
1.   Place fabric or stabilizer in position under the 
hole or tear in your garment.
2.   Select a darning stitch.
3.   Start sewing beside, above the hole and then 
over it.
4.   Once you have sewn across the hole, press the 
reverse button to set the length of the stitch. 
Your sewing machine will automatically 
complete the stitch.
5.   By default, the machine will be set to repeat the 
same size darning square; just continue sewing. 
  The repeat icon will be highlighted, indicating 
that repeat is activated. Touch the repeat icon to 
deactivate repeat.
Stitch repetition
Stitch widthMirror side to side 
						

							4:18Sewing mode
Quilting
A quilt usually consists of three layers, two layers of 
fabric with a layer of batting sandwiched between.
To sew three layers together, you have a wide 
variety of stitches and techniques to choose from. 
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Attach the straight stitch needle plate (optional 
accessory, part number 4129643-04) when piecing 
your quilt. The smaller hole in the straight stitch 
needle plate supports the fabric closer to the 
needle and helps prevent the fabric from being 
pulled down into the bobbin area, especially at the 
beginning and/or end of a seam. 
Note: Activate stitch width safety in the Settings menu 
when the using straight stitch needle plate.
Patchwork program
The patchwork program makes it possible for you 
to program an exact seam length that can be sewn 
repeatedly. This is very useful when quilting, 
especially when piecing many quilt blocks of the 
same size.
See page 4:12 on how to use the patchwork 
program.
Piecing the quilt top
Cut out the pieces of fabric for your quilt top with 
a seam allowance of ¼ (6mm). Snap on the ¼ 
quilting foot with IDT
™ system; position the fabric 
under the foot so that the cut edge is aligned with 
the outer edge of the toe of the foot. 

the pieces and press the seam allowance to one side. 
When possible, press seam allowances towards the 
darker fabric. 
Assemble the pieces according to the pattern 
instructions. Layer the pieced quilt top with batting 
and backing. Pin baste the layers together in 
preparation for quilting.  
Patchwork program 
						

							4:19
Sewing mode
Handlook quilting
1.  Baste the completed quilt top to the batting and 
backing.
2.  Thread the needle with an invisible 
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matching rayon or cotton thread in the bobbin.
3.  Snap on the recommended foot shown in the 
sewing recommendations view.
4. Engage the IDT
™ system.
5.  Select one of the handlook quilt stitches 5.2.1-
5.2.11. These stitches are pre-set with a higher 
thread tension value to intentionally pull up 
bobbin thread and produce the desired ”hand 
look” effect.
Note: Use needle size 90 and lightweight, soft cotton 
bobbin thread when sewing handlook quilt stitches. You 
might need to adjust the thread tension depending on 
which fabric, thread and batting that is used. Make a few 
tests on a scrap piece of the fabric you are going to sew 
and check the tension.
Stitch-in-the-Ditch
Stitch-in-the-ditch is another option for joining the 
layers of your quilt. Pin baste the layers as described 
above. Snap on the Fancy stitch foot 1A with IDT
™ 
system and engage IDT™ system. Stitch in the seams 
of the quilt, using the red line on the presser foot as 
a guide.  
Note: You can also use the optional presser foot, Stitch-
in-Ditch w/IDT
™ system (part number 820 925-096).
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Embellish your quilt with decorative stitches from 
stitch category 2.4. The stitches can be sewn in a 
coordinating or contrasting color, depending on 
the desired effect. Decorative threads like rayon 
embroidery or 30 wt cotton thread are sometimes 
used.  
						

							4:20Sewing mode
Optional presser foot icon
Free-motion stippling
Free-motion stippling adds texture and interest to 
your quilt, while keeping the layers together. 
Free-motion stippling is done with the feed 
dogs lowered. You move the fabric manually to 
determine the stitch length.
1.  Set your sewing machine for free-motion 
sewing with a straight stitch. Attach the straight 
stitch needle plate. Activate stitch width safety 
in the Settings menu, see page 3:4. Lower the 
feed dogs, see page 2:9. Touch the free-motion 
options icon and select one of the three options.
Note: Read about the different options on page 4:8.
2. Disengage the IDT
™ system and attach the 
correct free-motion foot depending on which 
technique you have selected. A symbol of the 
foot for the selected setting is displayed at the 
top of the screen.
3.  Begin by pin basting your quilt through all 
layers with safety pins, starting from the center 
of your quilt and working out. Place a pin every 
6-8 inches (15-20cm).
Tip! Practice stippling on scraps of the fabric and batting 
from your quilt. It is important to move the fabric at the 
same rate as the sewing speed to prevent stitches that 
are too long or too short. Maintaining a consistent speed 
while free-motion sewing will also help keep stitches even. 
To get an even speed, lower the sewing speed and press 
the foot control.
4.  Begin near the center of your quilt. Take one 
stitch and pull the bobbin thread to the top of 
the quilt. Take a few stitches right next to one 
another to lock the threads. Activate Needle 
down.
5.  Plan a path for your stitching, then begin 
stitching your desired stipple pattern, moving 
the quilt as you go. Continue stippling until all 
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Special sewing techniques
The 5th stitch category includes special sewing 
technique stitches such as candlewicking, join and 
fold, three hole yarn, beading stitches and edge 
stitches. These techniques may require some special 
presser feet and accessories. This is indicated by the 
optional presser foot icon. 
Note: Touch Quick help and then touch the selected stitch 

foot is required for that stitch.
Free-motion options
Free-motion options symbol
Dynamic spring foot 6D free-motion
Spring foot free-motion
Sensormatic free-motion 
						

							4:21
Sewing mode
Common sewing pop-ups
Bobbin thread low
When the bobbin thread is running low, a pop-up 
message appears giving you an indication that the 
bobbin needs to be changed soon. This gives you 
an opportunity to plan where to stop sewing and 
change the bobbin. If you want to continue sewing, 
touch the foot control without closing the pop-up. 
When the bobbin is replaced with a full one, touch 
OK in the pop-up.
Check needle thread
The machine stops automatically if the needle 
thread runs out or breaks. Re-thread the needle 
thread, close the pop-up and start sewing again.
Remove Sensormatic buttonhole foot
The Sensormatic buttonhole foot needs to be 
removed before doing any of the following:
•  Sewing a stitch that is not a buttonhole.
•  Sewing a buttonhole that can not be sewn with 
the Sensormatic buttonhole foot.
•  Sewing an adjusted buttonhole saved without 
the Sensormatic buttonhole foot in your 
Personal menu.
Machine needs to rest
If the machine stops and this pop-up appears on 
the screen, the machine needs to rest. When the OK 
icon is enabled you can resume sewing. The sewing 
results will not be affected.