I was out and didn't PLAN to buy a new machine though I have been thinking about it. Well, I got a Viking Sapphire 830. What a thing to buy on "impulse".

So, I get back to work after buying it at lunch and start to read stuff on the net about it and now I'm not so sure that it was the best decision. Does anyone have one and how does it work for you? Please tell me it wasn't a bad buy at $999.

I get free lessons as much as I want and I can trade it in and apply the full purchase price towards a higher model within a year.

I don't know about the sapphire, but my friend just bought the Viking QuilterII, I think that is what it is called and loves it. Viking is still built in Sweden, which is a good thing. Now most of Berninas are put together in China. She paid $1199.

Pittsburgpam, why are you concerned? I just did a google search and see only good things about it. Did you try it out and did you like the way it feels?

The Sapphires are good machines - they have all the great features that used to be available on only the top of the line machines, and that fantastic throat space.

Definitely take advantage of the free lessons - they will help you get acquainted with the machine and more comfortable with it. Some things will seem strange, like the pressure foot functions - but you'll be spoiled in no time! (You should have heard my mother, a long time sewer, when I told her I didn't have a pressure foot lever! I had fun with that one :wink: )

The searches I did all seemed to be bad reviews.

I tried it out at the store and it was great. It ran so smooth, it has the auto-sensor for the fabric and thickness and doing some test quilting, even having the batting folded into different thicknesses it just went smoothly from one to the other. It does an auto-lock at the beginning and end of stitching, has the needle up/down, the presser foot is controlled by the foot pedal.

Has 105 stitches, 10 memories, 3 alphabets (I think).

It is sooooo much better than my 20 year old Kenmore. I just hope I didn't make a bad decision.

Pam, just plug that baby in and create something!! When you are done...you won't feel guilty!! You might be hugging that grand investment!:)Skeat

If I could skip out on work right now I would be on my way home to play with it!!! I can hardly wait and it's Friday so I have all weekend to play.

Shaverg,

Your information is not quite truthful, it should be that some Brenina's are assembled in the far east. Of the current Bernina's sold in the USA only the Activa line of machines ISN"T assembled in Switzerland. The Activa's are built in plants built by Bernina under supervision of Bernina engineer's from Switzerland. In actuality none of the Bernina's are assembled in China, there are some made in Taiwan, Thailand, and other far eastern countries, but none made in China, that I am aware of. Each Bernina sold comes with a certificate of authenticity that states exactly which country it is made in.

The Bernette line of machines is sourced from Janome and some of them are made in China, but Bernina doesn't build them, they just buy them.

I may get one of my daughters sewing yet. I just spoke with my oldest and asked her if she wanted my old machine. She said she hand sews when she needs to. I said it's simple to do the basics and I saw a PURSE pattern that she would probably love! :lol: That got her. Her fiance is going golfing tomorrow so she made come by for a few hours and we can go over things.

We are a Bernina family and have been since 1956, many are now being assembled in Taiwan, China and Thailand and as of next year all the machines sold in the US will be assembled overseas including China. I will always keep my 930 but will probably by a Viking as they are still being made and assembled in Sweden.