Marylou

I just got home after looking at the Viking Saphire 830, 850, and 870. The 830 is on sale for 999. The 870 has more bells and whistles, but am not sure if they are worth another 1300. Anyway, let me know how you like your new machine, I am going to buy something before the end of the month. Marylou

gramadona

Congratulations Pam!! I am green with envy! :mrgreen:
I'm still using the Singer Touch and Sew that I got in 1969, but have been shopping/researching online for a new machine and getting more and more confused. Too many choices!! And so much $$$!
Sounds as though you are enjoying your machine. I'm happy for you and look forward to some quilt photos.

k3n

Hi Pam, I missed this until now! Congrats on the arrival of Charlotte! I can't imagine you would do EVEN more beautiful work though!!!

K x

fktsewing

You have purchased a great machine. I have an older Viking that is over 10 years old and I can do anything on it. My friend just bought a Saphire and absolutely loves it. Take the free lessons. They are worth their weight in chocolate. I have done piecing, quilting, purse making including leather, making clothes, curtains and pillows and it just keeps on going. I would not trade mine for anything except a new Saphire. Enjoy.

pittsburgpam

I believe if I have the "needle down" setting on that it raises the foot when I stop sewing but the needle stays down in the fabric. If I have the needle up setting on, the needle comes up but the foot stays down.

pittsburgpam

Thanks for all the good advice. I will definately be taking care of this one (not that I didn't take care of the Kenmore) and will go over the maintenance. I've been messing around with it and it is just so smooth, fast, and quieter than the old one. I'm just loving it.

I also looked at the 850 and the 870 but for right now, this is enough for me to get used to and the price was right. I will seriously consider upgrading when the time comes.

I haven't been to the classes yet but I will, maybe tomorrow evening if I'm not too tired from work. I hope they are good but the woman that was there when I bought it and we were going over functions didn't know something that was pretty basic, IMO. She was showing me the fancy stitches and stopping in the middle of a motif. I asked if there is a way to stop it at the end of one and she said she believes there is but didn't know. I learned on the CD that you press the STOP button and it will stop at the end of the current one it is sewing.

What doesn't it have that I would like? Automatic thread cutting would be nice. What does it do that is my fav? I don't lose the thread!!! On my Kenmore I ALWAYS had to hold the end of the needle thread when I started to sew or it would be pulled out of the eye and I'd have to thread it again. It doesn't do that!

Bernadette Harwood

It was a great deal and you will love it. I have 8 vikings and love them all. Get the lessons and then enjoy it. It is great for quilting

medots

[b] Honey, I don't think you will be disapointed at all. I have 4 vikings and they have serverd me well. the first I bought when I first strted work, 1963, It is the one that I will not sell, it is in reat condition. Don't think back and have fun.
Just enjoy.
Marilee

Lissa

Hi!-Viking is a top notch name in the feild of sewing. I used to work for them part-time in addition to my full time job. I own two Viking embroidery machines-both of which are top of the line(Designer SE and Designer Diamond). As for the 830 model, it makes for a great quilting experience with its pivot and turn feature where the pressure foot automatically rises a notch when the operator takes her/his foot off the pedal. The bobbin NEVER knots up. It Glides over multiple thicknesses of fabric. Also, the pressure foot has three positions so one never has to fight to position the quilt. The 850 has a longer bed so you one doesn't have to fight to sew and move the quilt through. Viking pressure feet fit all the Viking machines so if you trade up you don't have to lose all your favorite feet. The only thing the 850 doesn't have is a thread cutter and I am so annoyed that one has to jump to the 870 to get it because there is a great jump in price. But for avid quilters, it may be worth the jump-the thread cutter is THAT convenient. I don't know what you read but I can tell you that you made a smart purchase. Your machine never needs oiling and you are likely to have it for your lifetime. Enjoy!/Lissa

Mousie

well by now, you have figured out, that it wasn't that you made an "impulse" buy...you were struggling with, but what is called 'buyers' remorse'. I get that too. It's bc we are so careful with what funds we have to work with.
Reading that you are having much fun with it, and the original anxiety seems to be fading. I have read online reviews on stuff in the past, and I am inclined to agree with somebody on here...you usually hear more from disgruntled ppl, and so many times, it is operator error.
You have a nice throat space and a spotlight. That has got to be awesome. I have a thread cutter on my new Janome, but haven't been using it, simply bc I read that ONE person, said, it would make you have to re-thread the machine.
I have to take my own advice, and make up my own mind. We ask advice on different aspects of a quilt, but we eventually do what makes us happy, right? So, I will try that feature today, to see if I can save on thread.
I am curious. I am afraid to do stuff, like oiling, on my own, that might go against my warranty. Maybe others aren't still covered. I baby my machines, and always follow book. Wish mine came with a cd.
You did good, it's just hard to make those major purchases and then wonder if we could have done better. Maybe we could have, but you get to upgrade. We do the best we know at the time, and sounds like your pretty convinced now, you got it right. Have fun! :D