Sewing Machine Recommendation--Bernina vs Viking
 

I have had a Bernina Activa 130 for years. It still works great but I would like a new machine. I have been looking at the Viking Sapphire 875 and Bernina 530. They are comparable in price but the Viking seems to offer so much more than the Bernina. I like the larger throat space on the Viking. Not sure about the absence of a presser foot lever. My Bernina has been so good it is hard to leave the name. All of the online searches seem to be showing people saying they love the Sapphire and I don't see anything about the Bernina. Wondering what opinions are out on the Board. Thanks for the input.

I have 3 Baby Locks - love the Baby Locks!!!

I have the 875Q, it is an okay machine, a bit noisy. Stitches well, and I love not having the presser foot lever. Just took a janome 8900 for a test drive, and missed the 875Q. When you step on the pedal on the 875Q, the pressure foot drops automatically. I love that feature. The Janome 8900 has a larger throat 11", would love that.

I have Janomes and love them. And they have the longer throat.

I am a Viking fan-lack of presser foot lever is awesome =-just need to get used to it.

No, you have to pay extra to by the BSR. It has a lot of computerized items but no embroidery. I don't want to get into the embroidery. I have enough UFOs I need to machine quilt and finish. :) The Viking does have a larger throat space and more computerized items. Hard to know. I plan on test driving the two and see if that helps.

Viking gal here. I have an older computerized model and a friend has the Sapphire but I don't think it's the 875. Took her a bit to get used to the lack of presser foot lever but she loves it now and the machine in general.

I have a Viking and LOVE the auto presserfoot! And there is a button to lift/lower if you want to use it. I have heard that all the newer machines are of lesser quality since they are now made in in foreign countries like China. I think almost all of the name brands have moved the manufacturing from the base countries....sad...because the older machines are of nice quality. Maybe someone with a newer machine can address this from a personal experience.

My Viking is about 10 years old and it works like a charm.

I have had my Bernina 830 Record for 40 years, bought a Bernina 440QEE which I am keeping and just bought a Bernina 750QEE. Guess which machine I prefer?

I had a Viking and really loved it. Unfortunately, the feed dogs wore down and cannot be replaced. The place I took it (where they have repaired machines for many years) said that Viking has been sold out to Singer and is now made in China. The Viking feed dogs are made of aluminum vs Bernina's being made of steel. I now have a Bernina but sure do miss my Viking.

I highly recommend whichever machine has a reliable dealer close by that offers good customer service.

I don't have an opinion on those machines, but I'm sure you'll be happy with which ever you choose. I read here once to get the best machine you can afford and had a dealer to service it- great advice.

I really just wanted to say hello to a fellow Floridan!! :)

I have a Viking Quilt Designer II; I do like it, however, it has been discontinued and I can't get the stitch cards for it anymore. It is less than 10 years old. The stitch cards are computerized cards you slide into the machine and each card has some 20 different stitches on it. Once the basic sewing stitch card dies, I won't really be able to use the machine anymore. I don't know how often either Viking or Bernina discontinues machines, but it might be something to consider when making your selection.

I love my Janome 6600P

I have had a nikki, singer, and a Kenmore. I now have a Viking Ruby and love it.

Probably the feet from the Bernina you already have will fit the new Bernina you are looking at. Just one more thing to think about.

I was going to mention the same thing as Nammie to 7 -- I have 2 Vikings An SE (embroidery), and an 830 Sapphire. The only thing that is NOT interchangeable is the throat plates. All feet, bobbins, etc can be used on either one. I'd hate to give up either one. Service is a biggie, also.

Linda in Missouri

I love my Bernina 430 which I think is very similar to the Bernan 530. I had a Viking once and sold it becuse I didn't like it. Then bought Bernina. I also have a Pfaff that I really like.

I have the 875 Sapphire and love it. I'm a Viking gal. I love that the foot goes up/down on it's own. I love having the option of having the foot stop where I want it to.

I'm happy with mine!

Hello to you Susan. I find it harder to get into quilting here. Not many quilt stores in south FL. I am more muddled than ever about these machines. Some people love the Viking and some hate it. Seems like it just depends on whether or not you get a lemon. I found a Janome dealer in town and will check it out tomorrow. Know nothing about this machine. Scary when you are talking about a few thousand dollars.

Yes the feet will fit the new Bernina. You are correct about that Nammie to 7.

I have the Viking 875Q...I have been in love with a Viking D1 for years but wanted a larger throat so I got the 875. I also have a Janome 8200..I will say the machines are really different. The auto pressure foot on the Vikings is great for piecing and especially for appliqué. The Janome sews much faster but I'm having trouble having to raise and lower the pressure foot because I'm spoiled. The Janome does have a knee lift but because the machine is so long the lift is too far to the left for me.
I have always had Vikings and never had a problem (just got the 875Q so don't know if it will be trouble free)
I think you should take a long test drive on both machines. Take you own fabric and thread you usually use. Thread the machine, wind bobbins, sew and spend at least 30 minutes on each machine. Then you MUST consider the dealer and how you feel about them. Don't make you decision until you decide which one you like. You will be happy with either, but you don't need both machines like I have. Good Luck

Thanks for your response Sally J. No, one machine is fine. Actually I will keep the new one in FL and take my Bernina to my little house in Asheville. Hopefully I will do more sewing there. Also feel more crafty there and here I am always on the tennis courts. Let me know if you have any problems with your machine. Some of the older posts complain about tension issues. People also say they are made in China now. One post said to calm down as they had talked to a machine repair store and he said they were good machines no matter where they came from. I think it is all about who you buy them from. I am a little concerned because my town only has them at JoAnns Fabrics. I would prefer a private dealer.

I have 3 vikings and love them all. They really hold up well

I love my brothers, however in your situation i would go viking, because most other brands do offer alot of nice feature for the price. I paid 1800 for my babylock espire a feature rich machine, and i went to a show where the 550QE was discounted to 3k and I sewed on it in my class and for the money i felt it lacked a lot of features that should be provided for the cost of the machine. I also felt it didn't sew as well as my babylock espire. I was just not impressed with it at all for the price, way to overpriced IMHO. I have never sewed on a saphire so I have nothing to compare it to other than my brothers and babylocks which I love but if I only could choose between the 2 I would probably go with the saphire. I love the pivoting feature on my babylock

Well, I'm sure it's not the Bernina 750. I have a 710 and so far cannot even sew on it. Bernina company supposedly has the replacement parts in the making to fix the terrible tension problems most of the 700 series machines came with. I loved my 530, before I traded it in on the 710.

No, they will not fit. Bernina changed the feet a few years ago, so they now sell NS (new style) and OS feet. The new ones have red print on the front.

Owing a Sapphire 870 (the precursor to the 875) makes me very prejudiced....had her six years and she performs so well. Not having the presser foot lever is a BLESSING -- it doesn't catch your material when quilting. (On my serger, the presser foot lever is up and out of the way when sewing, don't understand why this isn't standard on sewing machines as well, must be a technical issue.)

Living where there are issues with getting things professionally serviced limited my choices -- and I've been very pleased with the service provided by the shop where this machine was purchased. It can be a hassle getting parts in a timely fashion if you have a machine where there is no local dealer.

Always good to try out the competition -- only you can tell which machine feels the best and suits your needs!

This just goes to show, "Different strokes or different folks." I do NOT like the button presser foot lifter on my new Bernina 710. I MUCH prefer the lever as I feel I can place the fabric exactly where I want it. I guess it's a good thing we have so many choices.

From wikipedia:

"In February 2006 VSM Group was bought by Kohlberg & Co., who already owned the brand Singer. Singer and VSM Group have been merged into a company named SVP Worldwide, with headquarters in Hamilton, Bermuda, where the initials are reflecting the brands Singer, Viking and Pfaff."

So Singer does not own Viking.

To answer the question ... I love my Husqvarna 875Q. I highly recommend it. It has many features to love but "Needle up / Needle down" is my favorite. Another plus is being able to raise/lower the presser foot by tapping the foot pedal. Oh! And that lovely wide harp makes quilting easier.

I also have a mid-1960s Elna Supermatic that has stood the test of time: it was my first sewing machine.

I sure hope today's computerized machines last almost 50 years!!! :)

Definately listen to SallyJ. That will tell you what kind of dealer they are. You also may want to ask where you would be sending it for service and what would they expect in down time (if that might be important to you). Also, what kinds of classes do they offer. They should have a 'getting to know your machine' class. See if they charge for the class. My Bernina dealer offers that class for free as many times as you need to take it. Very nice if you take a break from quilting and want to go back.

We have a couple of really nice dealers here in the Fort Myers area... One thing I've heard about the Bernina is the high cost for the accessory feet... It's hard to make a big purchase like that, isn't it!!

I wish we were closer, we could quilt together. Of course, I only quilt on the weekends or a little after work in the evenings... Good luck!! :)

Wow Wintersewer, glad I just read your reply. I went and tried the 530 and it sewed very nicely. Then I started lusting after the 710. The thing is, the Viking 875 is most like the 710 for less money. You don't get as much with the Bernina 530 as you do with the Viking 875 and the price is almost the same. Have to go sew on the Viking now and give it a try. It also has a 10 inch throat space and the 530 only has 8. I really want more space to so I can machine quilt all these UFOs. My feet on the Bernina 130 are red so they will interchange. I don't have the BSR though.

Susan, would be nice to have a quilting buddy:). My friends all play tennis, not quilt, and I have to drive 20 miles to Jupiter to go to any quilt classes. I tend to just play tennis. I am now retired so I am able to spend more time sewing but I do it in the evenings also.

LOVE my Bernina 440, does everything I want and always perfect tension. I have a vintage Viking in my collection (designated for my husband's use on heavy camping stuff) and it is a workhorse but I haven't tried a current model.

A good dealer makes a lot of difference, go sit down and sew on them both. Yes, Singer, Viking and Pfaff are now owned by SVP Worldwide, who manufactures them in Shanghai, China. Bernina is still family owned and manufactures the higher-end machines in Switzerland but also has a plant in Thailand.

Bernina old style feet fit 1630 (made in the 90s) and earlier. The OP currently has a 130, which is new style.

So many nice machines out there! Test, test, test. I have many Vikings and I love them but it is just a personal thing.

Agree...dealer is every bit as important as the brand!

I had heard that you can only get a Bernina repaired by an authorized Bernina dealer because they are the only ones that are able to get Bernina parts. This limits your choices of repair shops and would impact my decision. I have two Vikings that are both around 35 years old and sew like a dream. I have friends with other brands that love their machines too. You're not only buying a machine but also service so the location of the dealership and how comfortable you feel with them is important too.

I stared with a Bernina 160, traded up for a 180 in 2000 which I still have. It's my travel machine. Had a 440 which I trad Had nothing but trouble from it, had to baby it and I don't baby my sewing machines. Trade down to a 550 and have never been happier in my life.ed up for a 820 when the first came out. My 180 has an embroidery attachment which I never use that's why I didn't get a 530. But as people have said test drive them both and see which dealer gives you the better service. I love my Bernias and I have a good dealer just down the road.