KinMD

My search continues for a new machine. I have done a lot of reading about the the Sapphire 830. I am mainly interested in machine quilting my smaller projects (table runners, wall hangings, lap size). I liked the look and the spacing of the bed. I am trying to determine if it is more than I need though. I would love thoughts of any who have this machine or one similiar.

Thanks
Kathryn

judy_68

I can't help you. I use old singers and love them.
Judy in Ohio

BellaBoo

I would suggest checking out the high end Kenmores. Then test other machines and do a comparison to the value and features compared to the Kenmore.
I have a Brother 1500ps straight stitch only I use for machine quilting,I did not buy it, I won the thing :D Juki is another that is only straight stitch and excellent for machine quilting.

Roben

There is a couple of things Vikings have that just make quilting easier for me. The sensor system is fabulous for going over multiple seam intersections; the pivoting feature lifts the presser foot just enough to get your fabric underneath and lined up nicely (and being able to engage it with a foot tap while both hands are on the fabric is sooo nice); being able to move the needle over is a must have for me; and the stitch quality on both of my Vikings is just fantastic. I don't have the Sapphire, but if they would have been out when I purchased my little Viking I would have chosen it over the 4 x 4 embroidery field on the Scandinavia just for the throat room. The Sapphires are the first machines that Viking has put all the really important stuff (IMHO) on that wasn't at a top of the line price.

SulaBug

I have a high end Kenmore & it woks really well for me. Good luck with your search!! :D :D

Rose Marie

I have the Sapphire 830 and it is a great machine.
It is 2 yrs old now and no troubles with it.
Love the 10 inch throat, so much easier to push the quilt thru.
It has all the bells and whistles you want like stay stitch, needle down, and the foot pops up automatic so turns are easy.
It is a real work horse.
The only thing it dosnt do is embroidery. You need the 850 model for that.
I paid 11 hundred for it when it first came out, must be a lot cheaper now.
Wish it had a stitch regulator but Burnina has that all tied up and at a cost that you could buy a long arm for.

carrieg

Check out www.patternreview.com. They have all kinds of machine reviews, done by people like us. If I remember, you have to join the site, but it's free.

I have a Janome MC6600 and love it. It has 9" throat.

RedGarnet222

I also post at patternreview.com it is a great site to read about the different machines and make an educated decision before forking out tons of money for the machine of your dreams.

I have a few machines, but by far my favorite is the bernina's. I have an record 830 and a 180 artista (just got, new to me and in getting cleaned and oiled now) I used it a couple weeks and also fried my brain learning the booklet front and backwards. It is way nice.

The janome MC2400 is a nice little machine. Called a quilting machine, and works quite well really. The feet are inexpensive compared to the bernina by far! And it goes over heavy seams pretty darn good.

I have my mom's old, old straight stitch machine (singer) But, I have never pulled it out and used it. It has the metal straight bobbins. Lol! I have heard they are a workhorse and one of these days I will try it out. Mom used to do some really nice things on it while she was alive.

My next door neighbor has the top of the line bernina she bought a year ago and she loves it. But, who wouldn't?

Quiltntime

Have you checked out the Husqvarna Viking machines. The Emerald sales for around $400.00.

www.husqvarnaviking.com/us/6119_6145.htm

butterflywing

you have to think about your "must have"s, your "wish i had"s, and your "don't want"s. decide on your price and start keeping a list. otherwise you'll never remember which one had the whoosie at what price.

when the numbers are all in, you'll know which machine is yours. everyone looks for different things in a machine, so it's hard to ask others. what we paid for a machine 2 years ago isn't even true anymore, so that's no help. we can only say what doesn't break down.