IT'S NOW MINE!!! - The Viking Sapphire 870 Quilt

[HomespunMary]

Yesterday, I posted a question about this machine in the Notions forum, and have since done some research on it. I didn't realize it had probably just been out in the stores since August this year, but...

Has anyone tried it, and happens to have any opinions on it? And/or, has anyone read a quilt magazine lately where it has been reviewed?

[Oasis]

Good Morning Maria,

I have been looking at the Viking machines also. I compared the Saphire, Designer 1 and Designer 2. I think I have settled on the Quilt Designer 2 as it seem to pull all the best features of the others without going overboard like the first machine. QD2 is boasting about having the largest throat area (10 in) which is 1 inch larger than the JUKI. Since I don't have the room or the skill for a large longarm, but I want to do free motion and thread painting I'm seriously thinking about the QD2. Also has the embroidery, needle threader, 2 lights and a lot of the little things that make life nice. LOL
However, I haven't been to the dealer yet to try them out and of course the price could have something to do with my decision. I want to sew on both the Saphire and QD2 and have a demonstration before I make up my mind. The Viking website has a very good description and comparison charts.

You have a viking now I think. Have you been happy with the maintenance? Does it need much maintenance?

As soon as I get to try these I'll let you know what I think about them.

Take Care,
Linda/Oasis

[HomespunMary]

Goood morning Oasis!

I haven't looked very seriously at the embroidery machines, since I don't think I'd use the embroidery function a lot. Although I'd love to have one, I don't think I can justify the higher price as long as it is only the embroidery thing I'm not getting with the "cheaper" machine.

Apart from the embroidery function, have you identified other things that the Designer machines do that the Sapphire doesn't? I've looked at the Husqvarna web-site, and talked to my dealer, and it seems to me that one of the Sapphires (the 870 Quilt version) basically have all other features that the Designer has as well. I've also gotten the impression that the throat of the Sapphire is 10", but I might be wrong...?

And, yes, my current machine is a Viking Platinum, not even two years old, and it has not required any maintenance whatsoever. It is with the machine dealer right now, because I realized the needle wasn't exactly in the centre of the little hole in my "single hole plate", but it was barely visible to the eye. I just thought I'd get it fixed before the warranty expired. Otherwise, I'm really very happy with it, but I still compare it to my 50+ years old Viking Automatic, and haven't really fallen in love with the new one (for no particular reason other than emotional attachment to my beautiful old machine, LOL!). So when my dealer offered me to trade my Platinum in for a new Sapphire the other day, I got really tempted. Not sure if I can afford it though...

Would love to hear what you think once you've tried them out!

[grammy65]

Maria...does the Sapphire have the sensor foot lift? I just can't tell you how wonderful that is. If nothing else I would go for a machine that has that. So far it's only been in the Designer I and Designer SE machines.

My DI has a thread cutter, but I don't like it at all. Seems like every time I start sewing again it bunches up. So I don't even use it.

My table partner at my recent quilt retreat could not get over how quiet my Viking was. It really does just hum. Maintenance is very easy...no oiling. Some say that is good, some say it is bad. I have had my machine since January of 2002 and have only had it in the shop for cleaning and had to have my thread cutter worked on. Other than that it has given me no trouble. Oh....there was a re-call on something which I had done at no charge.

I know this doesn't help you much regarding the Sapphire. If the Sapphire had been available when I bought my DI I probably would have gone with that instead of the embroidery machine. The longer throat space will be great for you.

Can you tell I'm a Viking person all the way!!!!!

[HomespunMary]

grammy65, yes, the Sapphire 870 Quilt (but not all the other Sapphires) has the automatic presser foot lift, and the automatic thread cutter. It also has so many other new things compared to my "Viking equivalent" from not even two years ago that I can't even list them here.

But, the new stuff includes two lights (from both the left and the right of the presser foot), automatic thread tension, indication when the bobbin thread is running out, automatic sensor system for the presser foot pressure (so that when going over heavy/bulky seams it automatically adjusts the pressure and then adjusts it back when you've passed thick area!)

Thanks for the info on the thread cutter - that problem was one of the things I suspected might actually happen, and one of the questions I posed in the other thread! I'm guessing this would be the same for the Designer and the Sapphire...

I too am a Viking girl, but then again, what else would you expect from a Swede, LOL!

[Evie]

I have an old Viking (1100) embroidery machine and it's very quiet. DH can watch TV while I'm sewing. I'm glad to hear that the new ones are just as quiet.

Could someone list the prices (American dollars) for the new Vikings that you are talking about?

[Tiggersmom]

HomespunMary, considering the area you're from, have you considered the Bernina? Why or why not, just curious.

[sewbug]

I replied to your post in notions.

[HomespunMary]

Thanks, sewbug!

Tiggersmom, I have been thinking about looking at a Bernina - I have absolutley nothing against them in principle - but the Viking Platinum I've got now is the first sewing machine I bought myself (the old one I had used to be my mother's until I used it more than her and just took over it, LOL!). When I bought the new one I was a very "bad consumer" and just went for the first nice one I saw. Right now I can't afford to buy a new one again, but since the Viking dealer here offered me a good price for the not-so-old-one if I trade it for a new Sapphire, a new Viking is my only option for the moment unless I stick with my current machine.

I'm also still deeply in love with my mother's fifty-something years-old Viking, even though I don't use it right now. Still, after more than half a century, it works just fine (but has no 1/4 inch presser foot and a slight hick-up now and then with the thread tension, which are the only reasons I abandoned it in the first place). So, I guess I generally like the brand since I had such a great experience - and grew up - with that one. And, since the Viking machines are one of the few things still produced in Sweden, I figure it wouldn't hurt to support the local industry, LOL!

But, I must admit, the Bernina stitch regulator really has me thinking very hard about this brand thing right now...

[cindyg]

Homespun - since the Bernina has the stitch regulator that you are interested in why not ask the Bernina dealer what he would give you for your Viking? He might give you a pretty good deal, too. It doesn't hurt to try.