Hi, I purchased a Husquavarna Sapphire machine about a year ago. Anyone out there have one and could we swap advice? Stories, ect?
Thanks

I have the Sapphire 830. Just got an email from HQ about the NEW machine coming out. WOW!!! If the last one that came out was almost $10,000 I can't imagine what this baby will cost. Really beautiful with a large throat, lots of lights, etc. Check it out on their website but lean back from your computer--you will be drooling!!
I'd be glad to talk with you about your machine any time-don't know how much knowledge I have but I always like to talk. Just PM me if you'd like.

I bought the 870 about two years ago. Just getting used to it, mostly for FMQing. Ask away.

Good for you, I know that it takes practice to do FMQ'ing and I guess I'm afraid...I've done a pot holder with various stitches that is "OK" but when I think of a large quilt ARGH!!

Anyway, the problem I was having is that the bobbin holder sort of pops out, catching threads. The tech today said that it may be because the bobbin tension was too tight and he loosened it a bit. Of course, it sewed for him FINE! :) It's back in my sewing room and I"m getting ready to go and get her all set back up. Have you had any problems like that on your Sapphire 830? I have noticed that you can't use a partial bobbin or a needle that is even a hint of being used because in the past it hung up the threads.
Thanks!

I haven't had tension problems on mine because the 870 has auto-tension, or whatever you call it? Am I mistaken, ... the 830 doesn't have it? I'm trying to remember. I don't think I've ever taken my 870 off of the medium fabric setting.

The biggest problem I've had is getting used to no lever to raise and lower the foot! I finally figured out that the best way to position the fabric under the foot is to use the needle to line things up. Other than that, it's just been the normal "getting used to" a new machine such as all the settings, etc.

It is so different not to have to lift the presserfoot! I have the same probelm.

The 830 does have auto tension when you change the type of fabric you are sewing on. The tech also said the "B" foot was better to use sometimes even if the machine indicated the "A" foot because it allows fabrics to flow under the cut out part at the bottom but I haven't tried that yet.
Glad you are getting used to your new machine. Have a great afternoon. I'ts sweltering here in souther Mass. Almost 100 and humidity is just as high.

Believe me, it won't be any cooler in southern NH! Plus, I work in Bedford, MA, so I get it at both ends of the day. _ :) _

If your 830 has the fabric setting, why did the tech have to adjust your tension? Was the machine out of spec or something?

Originally, I'd bought the 830 (and like it) but I REALLY wanted the feature that tells you when the bobbin thread is low!! Nothing worse than FMQing your heart out only to find that the bobbin ran out ten minutes ago! So, I treated myself to an upgrade even though the $$ hurt just a bit. :?

I have the 835..... I LOVE MY SAPPHIRE... the only problem I have had was a build up of lint under the bobbin case... didn't realize it could get down in there so deep.

Were you able to clean it out? The tech I mentioned sounded like we would be star pupils if, when we brought our machines to him, and it was evident that we at least tried to clean it often, he sounded like he'd be more likely to help someone who tried to take care of their machine. (He liked to talk alot) LOL but I learned a lot from him.

Hello I bough a saphire 870 18 months ago and have just gone through a very annoying time with Husquavarna, my machine would only sew backwards, I took it back to the dealer at the beginning of May, many phone calls, a rant on this board and I at last got a brand new 875 off them. Hope you manage to resolve your problem quicker than me.

Only backwards? That's one for the record books!! Glad you got a new machine, and an upgrade at that.

Yeah, glad you got some satisfaction. I guess there are lemons everywhere, not just cars made on Monday or Friday LOL

I have a Sapphire 850, purchased it a year ago this July. STILL getting used to it. So far, I had a problem with FMQ the first time I tried it. But the second time worked just fine! Don't know what happened. The only complaint I have is I do not care for the way my bobbin winds. Sometimes they seem loosely wound. I am still learning several things with it and yes, I miss having the knee lift. But I quilted a queen sized quilt on it last week and it did extremely well! I was impressed.

I just bought a Sapphire 850. Darn my hubby asked me a week after I bought it why i didn't buy the 870. I could take it back but i kinda like this one. I have only had it a month.
I had a viking 500 and i blew it up. I have 5 other machines but i don't have all the fancy stitching on 4 of them. the 5th is a embrodiery machine.

I forgot to mention that I had a Viking #1 Plus Sewing/Embroidery machine and just loved it. I purchased it in 1997 when all they had was DOS digitizing! Anyways, After awhile, I burned out on the embroidery but kept the machine for regular quilting and sewing. It was a Workhorse! That Machine was great. When I finally sold it to get the Sapphire, I wished I didn't. But too late. Sapphire seems to be working out well, now that I am giving it a chance!

I've had an 850 Sapphire Quilt for almost 2 years now. It took some getting used to.

When my bobbins start to act up, I rewind them onto an empty bobbin and that frequently clears up any snagging problems.

Also, changing to NEW (good quality) thread and changing needles frequently seems to keep me from having issues.

Using leaders/enders when piecing also prevents snags on the fabric. Change needles frequently, too.

Like I said, I was wrestling with it a lot, and I did take it in once during the warranty period, but after a few months, we both "got to know each other" and it's been a match made in heaven ever since.

I also have a Daisy and love it!

I have a Sapphire 850. You should be able to sew with a partial bobbin. When you thread the bobbin, make sure you hear a "click" when you pull the thread through the threading slot, and that it's unwinding in the right direction.

There is a Yahoo group devoted to the Sapphire. They have lots of good advice.

My friend showed me how to pop off the plate and clean it out.....hhhhavvvve mercy I sew ALOT.. the lint proved it! LOL the thread was getting stuck that is what provoked the spontanious cleaning lesson... not a lick of a problem since. It is sooooo wonderful to have a RELAIBLE machine!

That was a good friend! In our younger days we were taught never to touch the parts on the machine. Now, we know beter !

Thanks for the info! Charlie

Get in the habit of removing the bobbin case and cleaning under it each time you put in a fresh bobbin.

I bought the 830 about a year ago and love it! I do still reach for the presser foot lever now and then. I never need leaders/enders - it never eats my fabric. That's one of my favorite things about this machine.

I do use the B foot more than the A foot because it's easier to pull the thread to the back with that one due to the tab on the A foot. I didn't like the R foot and didn't have luck with the spring foot from my old Viking, so the dealer had me try the 4125417 spring foot and I was so pleased, she gave it to me. I haven't had a problem since! When I remember, I set it to C when I'm quilting, but often forget.

I rarely touch the tension, change the needle with each new quilt, clean the bobbin case at least with every bobbin change, if not more. I run the bobbins until they are empty most times and don't have problems with the bobbins. I do wish they wound a little neater. I must admit, I have not wound the bobbin while the machine was still threaded. The dealer said it's better, puts more tension on it, but I still haven't tried it. I must fish out the book and look it up.

I wish you could set it to stay at 1/4 so that when you shut it off, it would come back to that. But I taped a post-it to the bed of the machine to remind me. :)

I have 2 problems with my 830. When I wind the bobbins, they don't wind evenly. Seems most of the thread goes around the bottom half. If I put my finger under the thread and "aim" it upwards the top half fills. This happens if I do it when the machine is threaded or if I just use it to fill the bobbin. Any suggestions?

Second problem, and this could be "user error" is when FMQ my top thread doesn't break--it shreads. If the thread is three ply or two ply I'll be sewing along and the thread snaps. When I look at it there's a blob of thread where it enters the needle and the thread going into the fabric is only one very thin ply. Doesn't matter brand of thread, ply, or size of needle. I've tried most types. I do the whole clean, rethread, new needle, etc., and it keeps happening. No burr on needle. Bought a new pack of quilting needles but haven't had a chance to try them yet. Has anyone else had this happen?

Katie, the 830 has a memory setting: it's that little heart logo. You do have to program your favorite setting (it takes awhile) but then when you turn it on and go the favorites (heart button) it goes to what you've set.

I hope this all makes sense and Charleen, thanks for starting this thread--I've already gotten some help.

Also, when you're sewing, is it better to have the thread horizontal or vertical?

There's something in the manual about this - it depends on how the spool is wound.

Regarding your thread breaking, have you checked your needle plate for burrs? In the Yahoo group for Sapphire owners, some quilters suggest a stretch needle for free motion.

I have three vikings right now, Interlude, 1+ and Designer 1. Love them all. I found out not to use Gutterman thread, for some reason it spits it out. ha I use Coatsand Clark dual purpose thread. Also, use top thread needle or ballpoint when fmq. needles do matter on these machines. I do love mine. Inherted 1+ really am impressed with it. Sister had made good choice on machine. Also, may need to make sure its threaded through tension disc correctly. I wasnt threading the Designer 1 correctly.

I bought a Sapphire 875 about a month ago. Love it!

I have the Platinum 775 and the Scandinavia 400 (for embroidery). I love both, but don't know anything about the Sapphire. I do love Vikings, though!

It's funny how they can vary so much. My 830 loves Gutterman and isn't as fond of Coats & Clark. It does not like Connecting Threads brand. Aurifil and Wonderfil work great in it!

Thanks for reminding us about the favorites setting I forget about the new technology.
The tech guy I mentioned gave me some answers to several of our questions:

-said it didn't matter whether thread was horizontal or vertical.
-said the thread tends to pop out of the tension discs on SOME machines and that he is making his own tools to facilitate his repairs
I have the same problems with my bobbin winding but didn't think to ask him about it. Will do so next time, again, it could be I did't have it threaded correctly. I too, will get the book out.

One problem with the thread breaking (this might cover your shreading problem too) is that there might be burrs on the edge of the spool which catch the thread. I keep an emory board within arms reach.

If you use the disk shaped thing to hold the thread on the spindle, it helps direct it away from the edge that may have a burr. Emory boards do work great on those as well!

I just got back from Joann's and there's a Viking Dealer in there. Talked to her about the shreading thread and she suggested the topstitching needles, too. I'm off to try these out and I'll let you all know what happens. Thanks for the help!

Thanks janRN. It makes sense if the top stitich needles have a larger hole if that is what was making thread shred.

OK. 2 hours and 5 broken needles and lots of swear words later it's still shreading the #$#@ thread!! I works for I guess 6 inches and at most 10 inches of sewing and then there's that glob of thread behind the needle, one ply of thread into fabric and then it breaks. I think I have to take it in for a check up.

One nice thing about top stitch needles is the larger eye--much easier to thread.

I quit for today-going to watch soaps or something LOL!

i have the Sapphire 850 and love it. the only trouble i've had so far is FMQ on a queen size did not go so well. too many big stitches showed up. just too big of a quilt for me to move well. Twin size & lap go great. The big throat is so great for this.
i had a dealer class that showed us how to pop off the throat plate & use a mini vac attachment to clean out all the lint. don't want to push it into the bottom of the case where all the oil sits. i clean out after every quilt. works great.

in regards to the thread, if it is wound diagonal on the spool i was told to put it in the horizontal position on the spool holder and if wound straight then to use the vertical position. this sounds strange but it really does seem to help with the tension & fraying issues. i had a few of those until i rechecked my thread.

My 870 loves loves loves the Connecting Threads thread. I had problems quilting with Coats & Clark dual Duty, but not with making garments (go figure!). Maybe it has to do with the CT threads being brand new and the Coats & Clark threads are old enough to drink...

The broken needles (I had that problem for the first couple of months, too) are likely due to you "helping" the fabric along and not letting the feed dogs do their job (if you are FMQ, it means you're moving the fabric out of sync with the needle motion - the only way I got over that was hours of practice and slowing down for a while).

What weight thread are you using? I seem to get fabulous results with 50 wt thread. (this took months of trial and error to figure out as well - also I had no idea thread had "weights" until I took a FMQ workshop at a quilt show)

If the thread only globs at the needle, it seems like it has to be there, I sure hope you figure it out. I assume you changed the needle, if not, try it again and see if it works tomorrow Meanwhile, enjoy the soaps. :)

Keep Talking Ladies. I am learning alot. I am still getting used to my machine and as busy as I have been I haven't had time to go and take the classes. I am learning something from each of you.

I too am enjoying this thread. I just purchased a Sapphire 850 and I am trying to figure everything out. Keep coming with all the good advice.