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IT'S NOW MINE!!! - The Viking Sapphire 870 Quilt
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kadie
- Posts: 7053
- Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2007 4:36 pm
Re: IT'S NOW MINE!!! - The Viking Sapphire 870 Quilt
It's gunna take me a while to type it up on here, so bear with me OK? Our scanner is on the blink so I can't send it any other way.
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kadie
- Posts: 7053
- Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2007 4:36 pm
Re: IT'S NOW MINE!!! - The Viking Sapphire 870 Quilt
HUSQVARNA VIKING FABRIC MOVER WITH STITCH REGULATOR
"Looks can be deceiving-and while the HVFM isn't very big, the difference it makes to free-motion machine-stitching and quilting is enormous"
Trialed by Marianne Roberts
The fabric mover has four components: the work table that goes over the sewing machine’s arm, the hydraulic frame that sits beside it and under the machine, the stitch regulator or ‘brain’ that matches the speed of the ‘window’ and needle, and an on/off foot pedal.
The most noticeable difference with this product is the ease with which I could move my work around. When I machine-quilt, it is usually a case of hands clenched, shoulders tensed and neck muscles tight to get the quilted result desired.
When I did my first test on the Fabric Mover, the speed of the needle took some getting used to – and once I moved the sample piece evenly, the benefits were clear. You simply fit a free-motion foot, lower the feed dogs, position your quilt on the work table and sew. It then glides easily in any direction and that ‘old familiar feeling’ of sore shoulders, neck and hands was gone, simply because of the gliding effect of the Mover.
The stitch length remains consistent and the needle is accelerated, not by a foot pedal, but by how fast you move the table around. The Fabric Mover’s working area is ample – 188mm (7 3/8 inches) x 222mm (8 ¾ inches) and moving on to the next section of the quilt is just a case of lifting your work, moving the frame and away you go again.
What took the most getting used to was, in fact, not using the foot pedal for speed – it’s only an on/off switch. It was actually putting the pedal under my left foot that helped reinforce this new concept.
I find the secret to free-motion quilting is to think of the needle as a pencil and treat it as a drawing tool. The other trick I use is not to look at the needle, but where I plan to stitch next, so I stay ahead of the design. While the ‘window’ in the work surface might look restrictive, it isn’t. There is plenty of room to operate in and the surface is designed to stop well before the window’s edge, so there’s never a risk of hitting the frame and breaking the needle.
The only restricting factor is that this product is suitable only for certain Husqvarna Viking sewing machines:
- Freesia 350, 400, 400-N, 400-LE, 415, 425
- Lily 500, 530, 535, 540, 545, 550, 555
- Rose 600, 605
- Platinum 730, 750, 770
- Scandinavia 300, 400
Priced at around $AU 1499, it’s certainly worth a test run.
"Looks can be deceiving-and while the HVFM isn't very big, the difference it makes to free-motion machine-stitching and quilting is enormous"
Trialed by Marianne Roberts
The fabric mover has four components: the work table that goes over the sewing machine’s arm, the hydraulic frame that sits beside it and under the machine, the stitch regulator or ‘brain’ that matches the speed of the ‘window’ and needle, and an on/off foot pedal.
The most noticeable difference with this product is the ease with which I could move my work around. When I machine-quilt, it is usually a case of hands clenched, shoulders tensed and neck muscles tight to get the quilted result desired.
When I did my first test on the Fabric Mover, the speed of the needle took some getting used to – and once I moved the sample piece evenly, the benefits were clear. You simply fit a free-motion foot, lower the feed dogs, position your quilt on the work table and sew. It then glides easily in any direction and that ‘old familiar feeling’ of sore shoulders, neck and hands was gone, simply because of the gliding effect of the Mover.
The stitch length remains consistent and the needle is accelerated, not by a foot pedal, but by how fast you move the table around. The Fabric Mover’s working area is ample – 188mm (7 3/8 inches) x 222mm (8 ¾ inches) and moving on to the next section of the quilt is just a case of lifting your work, moving the frame and away you go again.
What took the most getting used to was, in fact, not using the foot pedal for speed – it’s only an on/off switch. It was actually putting the pedal under my left foot that helped reinforce this new concept.
I find the secret to free-motion quilting is to think of the needle as a pencil and treat it as a drawing tool. The other trick I use is not to look at the needle, but where I plan to stitch next, so I stay ahead of the design. While the ‘window’ in the work surface might look restrictive, it isn’t. There is plenty of room to operate in and the surface is designed to stop well before the window’s edge, so there’s never a risk of hitting the frame and breaking the needle.
The only restricting factor is that this product is suitable only for certain Husqvarna Viking sewing machines:
- Freesia 350, 400, 400-N, 400-LE, 415, 425
- Lily 500, 530, 535, 540, 545, 550, 555
- Rose 600, 605
- Platinum 730, 750, 770
- Scandinavia 300, 400
Priced at around $AU 1499, it’s certainly worth a test run.
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HomespunMary
- Posts: 2168
- Joined: Sat May 05, 2007 9:57 am
Re: IT'S NOW MINE!!! - The Viking Sapphire 870 Quilt
Wow, kadie, are you a fast "typer" or what!!!
Thank you so much for this! How very kind of you! I thought I might not really be interested in this thing, but now you've got my curiosity up.... I so wish I could try it in person. Well, guess I'll have to wait until I get myself over the pond to the American side, which will hopefully not be in too many months from now
By then, I'll have hopefully quilted at least one more quilt without luxuries like this gadget, and will know more about whether I really want it or not...
Thank you so much for this! How very kind of you! I thought I might not really be interested in this thing, but now you've got my curiosity up.... I so wish I could try it in person. Well, guess I'll have to wait until I get myself over the pond to the American side, which will hopefully not be in too many months from now
By then, I'll have hopefully quilted at least one more quilt without luxuries like this gadget, and will know more about whether I really want it or not... -
kadie
- Posts: 7053
- Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2007 4:36 pm
Re: IT'S NOW MINE!!! - The Viking Sapphire 870 Quilt
Took me a while to get back here, Hubby needed the computer.
Me a fast typer? LOL yeah sure!
Lucy my daughter typed it while I dictated!!! After 4 years at Uni she types like I don't know what....she gets the keyboard smokin'
It is the weirdest thing that you can't see one of the Fabric Movers in Sweden! Just doesn't make sense does it. But the way you already do the free motion quilting, you probably don't need one anyway!
Me a fast typer? LOL yeah sure!
Lucy my daughter typed it while I dictated!!! After 4 years at Uni she types like I don't know what....she gets the keyboard smokin'
It is the weirdest thing that you can't see one of the Fabric Movers in Sweden! Just doesn't make sense does it. But the way you already do the free motion quilting, you probably don't need one anyway!
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HomespunMary
- Posts: 2168
- Joined: Sat May 05, 2007 9:57 am
Re: IT'S NOW MINE!!! - The Viking Sapphire 870 Quilt
Yeah, I've been wondering why they don't sell them here. My guess would be because there are so few quilters here that the marketing campaigns just wouldn't be worth the money for the company... Even if every quilter in Sweden bought one it probably wouldn't pay off to print info, ads, etc etc in Swedish...?
Anyway, say THANKS to your fast-typing-daughter from me!
Anyway, say THANKS to your fast-typing-daughter from me!
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kadie
- Posts: 7053
- Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2007 4:36 pm
Re: IT'S NOW MINE!!! - The Viking Sapphire 870 Quilt
Maria, I'm off the topic here, but when you did the Quilt University course, how did the instructor check you were doing everything OK? Did you have to post photos for her/him or did they just take it for granted that you were doing things right?
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HomespunMary
- Posts: 2168
- Joined: Sat May 05, 2007 9:57 am
Re: IT'S NOW MINE!!! - The Viking Sapphire 870 Quilt
The instructor asked us to send pics when we felt like it, but it was not required. My guess is that about a third of the class sent pics, the rest just keep their progress a secret from the rest of us...
There was a student forum open for all in the class, where everybody could post questions that the instructor would answer, normally the same day. She also gave feedback on the pics we sent in.
There was a student forum open for all in the class, where everybody could post questions that the instructor would answer, normally the same day. She also gave feedback on the pics we sent in.
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grammy65
- Posts: 2981
- Joined: Sun Apr 29, 2007 3:30 am
Re: IT'S NOW MINE!!! - The Viking Sapphire 870 Quilt
OK...now I see how the stitch regulator works on the Viking. That explanation really helped Kadie. It makes sense now. But I still think it would be cumbersome with a large quilt. It would be fantastic for something small that wasn't hanging down and pulling. But having never tried it, I should not pre-judge.
I guess it's a matter of what you are used to. I know several longarmers who got their machines before the stitch regulators were invented, and they won't change. They have learned how fast to go to get what size stitch.
Boy...if our foremothers/forefathers could see all the gadgets we have now. It alwyas amazes me to see the beautiful work they did with just simply a needle and thread. Are we spoiled or what??? LOL
I guess it's a matter of what you are used to. I know several longarmers who got their machines before the stitch regulators were invented, and they won't change. They have learned how fast to go to get what size stitch.
Boy...if our foremothers/forefathers could see all the gadgets we have now. It alwyas amazes me to see the beautiful work they did with just simply a needle and thread. Are we spoiled or what??? LOL
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HomespunMary
- Posts: 2168
- Joined: Sat May 05, 2007 9:57 am
Re: IT'S NOW MINE!!! - The Viking Sapphire 870 Quilt
Yeah, we're certainly spoiled to no end!
Although, those of you who live in the US are even more spoiled than the rest of us, LOL! You can get the fabric and the gadgets you want without it being a full time job!!!
Although, those of you who live in the US are even more spoiled than the rest of us, LOL! You can get the fabric and the gadgets you want without it being a full time job!!!
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needlenoise
- Posts: 154
- Joined: Sat Jan 13, 2007 12:00 pm
Re: IT'S NOW MINE!!! - The Viking Sapphire 870 Quilt
I have a Viking SE and the Fabric Mover. Like everything else, it takes a little practice to get the hang of it. I've attached a pic of the first quilt I stippled using the mover. I don't think I would want to do anything bigger than a crib or lapsize on it. As an employee at that time, I was able to get it for $600. If I had to pay the $1200 retail price, I probably wouldn't have gotten it. I agree with the others, your free motion quilting is perfect without it. Your nautical/boat quilt was amazing. The Fabric Mover would probably slow you down!
