Anyone have a Viking Sapphire machine?

15 years ago

Any one have a Viking Sapphire? I am looking at the 830 model. My local dealer sells this machine for $935.

I did find out it does not come with a quarter inch, fmq, or walking foot.

For those of you who are interested: I had finally decided on a Janome Magnolia 7330 which sells for 300-349 dollars online. Then DH increased my sewing machine budget, so I am back at the drawing board! But happy to be here!

-Jen

Here is a link that might be useful: Vikking sapphire

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Comments (4)

mary_c_gw
15 years ago
When I bought my Pfaff, several of the feet I wanted weren't in the given assortment. So I asked them to throw them it for free. They did.

Ask - you can't lose, and you might get what you want. Or buy one additional foot, and them to throw in the others. Retailers are a bit desperate, and they may throw in the feet you want, or at least sell them for cost if it will clinch the machine sale.

That said, I quilted for years before getting a quarter inch foot. With my adjustable needle positioner, I just tested out various needle positions until I got the perfect scant quarter inch seam. I used the blind hem foot, since it has a little barrier to run your fabric against.

Are you sure you need the fmq foot? Most high end machines do come with a darning foot - which works fine for free motion quilting.

OK, I just looked at your link. The embroidery foot will work for free motion. I can see the desire for one which is open, but it is clear, and it will work.

Good luck with your decision!
teresa_nc7
15 years ago
Here are some reviews on this machine. Scroll down to review #261 thru #266.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pattern Review site
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I have the viking rose,and when i first got it,it was nothing but problems.I kept taking it back and they kept sending it out to be fixed,and everytime i got it back home it was the same as it was before i took it in.I'd do a few stitches and it would stop and beep at me and tell me it was out of thread,which it never was,it was also noiseier than it should have been. Then one day i had a class at the shop and the owner of the shop was the teacher.As i started to sew it did the same thing,so she comes over and says Kathi your machine doesn't sound right,and why is it beeping?? So i told her how many times i had brought it back in ,and how it was always the same when i got it back.So she called the repair shop(they own that also) and told them the problem i was having and she was having the same problem with my machine.So her son walked her thru how to calibrate it,still no luck.So she told him that she was bringing it back to the shop and he was to clear his schedule and figure out what was wrong with my machine and fix asap. When i got it back that time,it worked perfect and i havn't had any problems since. Oh by the way while i was having all those problems,i posted on some board about it,and named the machine etc.Someone at Husqvarna viking saw the post and contacted me,and told me if i didn't get it resolved to let them know and they'd have me send it to them. So keep going back til they get it right and contact husqvarna if you have to. Kathi
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If you want to use the Sapphire for quilting, you might have to bite the bullet and get the walking foot (even feed foot) for $100 - it is worth it. Another foot that I would recommend is the piecing foot with a metal bumper on the right side - not the "piecing foot" that comes with most of the machines. This was only about $20 when I got mine a couple of years ago and is worth every penny. With it on the machine and the needle set at the far right position you can get a nice 1/4" seam for piecing and it is always the same (unless the operator forgets to move the needle over!). It may be called the "edge stitching foot with a metal flange".
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itsmesuzq
15 years ago
Oh my goodness...I so feel your pain Jen. I have been researching my choice of machines too! And my picks are the Viking Emerald and the Janome (I don't know which model but it's about $398). Since this will be my first machine I am kind of going crazy with all the choices out there. There are so many good prices online, but my quilt store is a Viking dealer and offers a year of quilting classes plus all the help I'll need learning how to use the Viking. I'm kind of afraid to order from an online place (Amazon, Overstock etc.) because I will need some one on one instructions after the purchase.

Anyway, if you find anything out that might help me I would really appreciate it. Or if anyone on this forum has advice on what they like or what to look for that would be great too.

I will pay up to maybe $500 for a machine that allows me to grow into it, but is user friendly and doesn't come with "stuff" I will never use.

~Susan
teresa_nc7
15 years ago
Those classes at your Viking dealer will be the best thing you can do for yourself, Susan! If you are getting a machine to make quilts, you want these features if possible:

~ needle up/down
~ ability to drop the feed dogs (feed teeth) so you can do free motion quilting
~ some programable decorative stitches are nice, but I don't care much for the alphabet stitches
~ buy an even feed foot (walking foot) or get them to add on for free to sweeten the deal - needed to do very easy, very nice straight line quilting
~ speed control - a help when free motion quilting.

You did not say what model Emerald, Susan.

Teresa

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Anyone have a Viking Sapphire machine?

Comments (4)

mary_c_gw

teresa_nc7

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itsmesuzq

teresa_nc7

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