Well all finished and around about 5lbs off might do it so hung up ready.  Made a new  cushion, which has been sitting around months, then started a new skirt with another remnant.  Would you Adam and Eve it, too big.  So delightful though, machined up using the largest stitch and tried on,  a sliver more off the waist and hips and it's just right.  Big seams but just right.

Got some nice discounts, some I would have bought but no spare money now until January. 

I went to buy a pattern last night, just in case I got time before Christmas, and it refused to accept my email address.  I have no idea what my member number is so will have to wait until the next magazine comes.  Has anyone had anything similar and what did they do if no member number.

It's still a dogs breakfast though. Trouble is some websites are so good at selling stuff and know how to lure us that we have got used to the best, so fifth best is a let down.  The original website probably wanted updating but it did the job and it did it well.

Looking at that @Mocarroll  that also comments that the fabric should be double where the left needle hits.  Mine wasn't, I was hitting just past both on the neck and on the sleeves (I've not reached the hem yet).  Bearing in mind that my test pieces are absolutely fine, I suspect this is the problem.  I've only ever done one other top as light as this and by sheer fluke all the Coverpro stitching has hit double fabric on the left side.

Thank you for all the suggestions and links, I've not seen these before and bookmarked them.

I've got a 9 year old Expression 2 and a Select 4, which I think is 3 years old.  Never had any trouble with the Expression and it is my go to machine.  I'm not interested in embroidery so never use the other stitches so can't really help there.  I think if the Expression did die I would probably get another Pfaff, although I have considered a Janome (even though I am not buying now I still look, can't help it).

It is a major decision and pressure from the dealer puts you off a bit, although I've only ever bought on line and never had a 'feel' before, so I suppose I've been lucky.  Nearest dealer to me, 5 miles, as far as I can see only sells Janome.

The IDT is wonderful and it is lovely not to mess around with a clunky foot on the Bernina I have, so I can understand why you don't want to lose that.  I suspect the Great British Sewing Bee will use the machines they can get for practically nothing and who ever pays them to advertise.

To be brutally truthful I have never yet had a machine serviced.  I take the view that I don't see the recommendation in the book, only to clean out etc., so that will do.
 

After spending a few months not moving until I had studied the pattern, I have embarked on Butterick 5566

 https://butterick.mccall.com/patterns/misses/skirts

Straight forward, done two before, easy peasy.  Got to the try on bit with clips in the side (so useful), okay bottom, too tight at top (and the other two I had to do big seams, got spandex in or similar), so went with wafer thin seams, nearly there but a heave to get the zip up.  I made my mind to  carry on and finish, last skirt I had that was too tight, next time I wore it just dropped off my waist, may be wishful thinking a second time but you can wish.  Facings next, machined and pinned, too big, much too big, redone and carried on.  Laid out to do the hem, to short, remembered I had added onto the bottom on the others,  forgot this time, too much above the knee (at my age).  Adjusted but still a tad too short.

Since I was doing pattern B/C, I considered doing a fancy hem and adding fabric on, but too messy. So I've gone with a false hem and since I haven't got suitable bias binding I'm moving on.

Saw this on Ebay today (I can't help but just look occasionally).  The very same machine I sold for £25 in 2009, still working fine apart from the bobbin winder and bought around the end of the 80's.

It certainly was a lovely machine but is it being honest to sell for £449.99 when the circuit board could go any time and could not be replaced.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JANOME-MEMORY-CRAFT-7000-EMBROIDERY-SEWING-MACHINE-16kg-WELL-SOUGHT-AFTER-9149/323224495545?hash=item4b41ae65b9:g:J2QAAOSwY5Ra37kl:rk:90:pf:0

No idea where they get 16kg either, it wasn't light but it certainly wasn't heavy.

Just looked and they have another one in a £399. 

What a fabulous time you've had.  I'm afraid I don't watch Strictly, although I think the tour you had would be much more interesting for me.  They must work like Trojans to keep up with dresses to be made for each show.