janRN

GladGrams: I don't think these problems are unique to Viking machines--check out the complaints about Janomes, Bernina,etc on those sites.

Most of the problems I have are mostly due to me: if I'd have taken the classes when I bought my machine I'd have learned about most of these things. At the time I was working 45-50 hours per week and didn't want to take even more time from my family. Also, none of my friends are quilters and I don't have any one to ask even simple questions--my LQS is okay, but too busy for minor problems. I consider the people here to be friends so felt like I could ask anything. I was so happy when Charlie started this post.

To the person who emailed me and feels I "took over this thread with my own sewing problems" I apologise--that certainly was not my intent. Along with suggestions for my problem, I learned a lot about thread, needles, tension, etc. and would hope others on here have too. If not I am really sorry.

marniata

The Viking accessory users guide book (p 58) refers to "the hand look quilting stitch" as a decorative stitch. Does anyone know which stitch that is on the Sapphire 870?

Honchey

if you go to the quilting stitches in menu 2, it's the next stitch after the 1/4 inch stitch. You use clear thread on top and your colored thread in the bobbin. keep your quilt right side up. fabric select 'heavy' .

Janey

I had a Viking#1 for eighteen years and loved it it did everything like you said a real workhorse. It died a slow death did not want it to die. Tried to keep it running but finnally had to give in and bought a Janome 6600. I like it but it does not have some of the stitches the Viking had which I used all the time but it is good.Hopefully I will love this one as much. Janey

josi49

A bobbin genie is a thin washer made out of slippery teflon. It eliminates backlash and bird's nests on the underside of FMQ. I forget to take them out, so they are in my bobbin cases 95% of the time. When I clean by bobbin case after approx. 4-5 hours of sewing & change my needle, if I'm not doing FMQ, then I take it out and pin it to my pincushion. I also use the Free Motion Slider (teflon sheet that fits over the single needle plate for FMQ). I watched Sharon Schamber do a demo in her booth at Paducah in 2008 and have been using both since then. I think there is a dozen in a pack for around $9 or $10; best money I even spent for FMQ! No affiliation, just a huge fan.

josi49

Thank you for sharing the wonderful Needle info sheet! Very good reference tool for all of us quilters and sewists alike.

josi49

I also have trouble threading my Designer SE with the auto needle threader. Everytime I go to my dealer and show them, they say I just need to practice, practice, practice. And guess what, the more I do it, the easier it becomes. I also have a Janome and it was the same with it in the beginning. Needle and thread size does matter. A really good, FREE source for education on threads and needles can be found on the Superior Thread website. They sell all kinds of brands; again, no affiliation, just a happy customer.

stitches3

I am very interested in the bobbin genie, do you have any idea where they could be purchased. Hope that this info would'nt be breaking any board rules.
stitches3

thimblebug6000

For FMQ I use a 40 weight quilting thread on the top and a 50 weight in the bobbin, feed dogs down, set my machine on "C" then I go in and change the tension up to 6 at least, otherwise the heavier thread pulls down & shows on the underneath. It's interesting reading how each of us manage. If I were to use matching colours & thread weights, I may not have to manually change the tension. (I have the 870, and really DO NOT enjoy winding bobbins on it, sometimes I take out my Lily 540 & wind up a few bobbins on it)

thimblebug6000

The thread weight is usually on the spool ends if you're using 100% cotton threads.