It was the 835 model. It seems pretty nice and is in my price range. It has most of the features I am looking for. Do any of you have pros and cons for this machine? Of course, my first choice would be a Bernina but I don't want to wait that many years to be able to afford one.

i dont know the machine but it sounds like a fun day

I dont have a Sapphire but I have two Husqvarnas one is an embroidery machine and one is just a sewing machine Love them both I did test sew one when I was thinking about giving up my embroidery machine (I dont use it much)
I have heard that Husqvarna Viking owners dont usually like other machines and viceversa but I like a couple of brothers that are out there

I have the 830 (previous model) and I love mine. One thing I never think to mention is that it NEVER "eats" my fabric, no matter where I start sewing! I don't need leaders/enders. I purchased the straight stitch needle plate to use when doing FMQ. I seem to have better results. I also got a spring FMQ foot (didn't like the "R" foot). It's a little different that I don't have to adjust anything...it's all automatic. I recently got the new walking foot with the snap in feet and a stitch in the ditch foot that snaps in. Love it! I've had it about 1-1/2 years and use it a few days per week usually. I can't think of any cons and would purchase it again. I am a Viking fan...had my last one for 16 years.

I think most issues are user error. Have them show you how to do the things you do most. It's got a cool buttonhole gadget, but I haven't made clothes in years! Love the decorative stitches.

Will they give you any classes with it?

They offer classes 3 times a week and they are free. I got a very good demonstration today and she let me use it and try everything I wanted. It has almost 10" throat area so that will be great for quilting. I tried both types of quilting feet. I prefer the one with the spring. There was also a frame you use to quilt with that seemed pretty cool too. The main thing that impressed me today was the adjustable pressure for sewing thick things. I am into making purses from clothesline and neither my Janome Gem Platinum or my Kenmore have the space needed for sewing in the lining.
What other feet or add on's would you recommend? I will get 20% off when/if I purchase the machine.

They have a walking foot that has attachments that snap on, one is a 1/4 " foot and one is a stitch in the ditch foot, both work really well and are so useful. I use mine all the time. The 1/4 inch is really nice when attaching a border with your walking foot. It also comes with a regular foot and an embroidery foot. I've had my sapphire for 6 months and love,love,love it. I have the 875Q because I wanted the thread cutter, it also has auto tension. If you can afford it, I would suggest you get the 875. It is so worth it.

Vikings are great-I have 2 of them and my daughter has my 1st 2-one is 26 yrs old and just like new

I have the Sapphire 875Q - its my first computerized machine - I was scared as heck when I got it - but now I couldn't imagine not having it - I love Husky.

I don't know anything about that particular machine, but I have 5, yes 5 Husqvarna/Vikings; Viva (a cheaper one), a Topaz 30, Designer 1, Designer SE, and the Diamond. The Diamond and Topaz have the long throat, which is wonderful. I have the interchangeable walking foot; love that. My opinion is once you have had a Viking you will never want any other machine. The thread cutter, auto presser foot lowering, wonderful lighting, auto needle threader.

I've used my Designer 1 for almost 7 years and it's never been in the shop except for regular servicing (and I haven't done that much either). Don't know much about the model you're looking at, but the "sewing advisor" and automatic setting of tension, etc. is great - I don't even have to think! Just sit and sew. Only con is you must buy accessories only from Viking. Even the bobbins must be Viking. I don't mind much, for the workhorse it has been.

I also have a Designer SE since 2007 and never had it serviced or a problem...And I'm one of those people who would never buy any other brand. I also have their Lily 545 which was my first machine and wouldn't give that up either. I have been considering buying the Sapphire since I love the sensor foot which the Lily doesn't have and as a backup so I can sew when the embroidery portion is in use.
Buy it you won't regret it.

I have this machine and I love it.. I bought this 2 years ago.. Be sure that you get the walking foot and get the features that you need to buy.. and get the unlimited hours of lessons to learn about the machine.. :thumbup:

It's great that they offer so many free classes and that you got a good demo! Sounds like good customer service there...that's important! The only other accessory you might want to inquire about is the binding attachment. I have looked at it online, but not talked to anyone about it or seen a demo...looks interesting. I think it was called a 1/2" bias binder or something like that. If you're getting a discount, you might want to get some bobbins too.

What is that frame thing you referenced? I don't recall seeing that.

It is a frame that is a rounded off square. You set it down on the area you are going to quilt and just stitch inside of it. It is very easy to hold onto to move the fabric around and also easy to move it to the next area to be quilted. Seems like it would be much easier on my body than when I push the fabric with my quilting gloves on.

Oh, now I think I know what you are talking about. Similar to the Halo's? I've never tried one of those. Did you get to try that too? It's probably expensive, so you might want to try it first. I do good with the Machinger's gloves. I liked them best. They are lightweight and I don't sweat much in them...a plus in FL. I didn't like the gardening gloves...too hot and never fit me right.

I did get to try it. I think it was $43. I'm making a list of everything I will want to get. Bobbins were a good idea.

I have three husky's a seger a mega quilter on my insira quilting frame and a sapphire 830. I love them all No regrets.

I have a Bernina 230PE and love it. However, I've seen the Husqvarna Sapphire on ebay and I think that the room on the throat plate (isn't it about 11 inches) would be WONDERFUL! You may want to check at your Bernina dealer. I talked with my tech today and he said the shop here is offering a special for 5 days only of 36 months zero finance charges.

I have a Sapphire 850 and GENERAlly like it I do seem to have problems with the thread getting really tight and sometimes breaking a needle. When FMQ especially, have to stop and rethread it. Have tried to pull floss thru to see if there is lint buildup. Bought mine new online so can't go to a shop for help, the first thing they ask is where did you buy it. I tell them DH got it for me. P.s. My FMQ spring broke it made such a racket decided not to get it replaced, use the plastic embroidery foot and get along fine.

I have the Viking 1 and love, love, love it! It sews like a dream! I love the feature that tells you when your bobbin is empty. I also love how easy it is to exchange the snap on feet and to fill a bobbin. Oh yea, and the automatic tension and presser foot suggestions. I bought mine used on ebay about 3 years ago and if I ever need another one, it will be a Husky! Did I mention I love it? :D :thumbup:

Pat P, sorry to hear you are having some problems. When I go in to talk to them again (& maybe buy) I will ask about at the tension issue needle breakage. I'll let you know what they say.

i have the sapphire! love it! take your classes -- i live 120 miles away from my shop. they have a really great web site. the ten inch throat is great!

I have a designer 1, love it. The only problem I have had with it AT ALL is the bobbin rewinder, broke twice, have not had it fixed the second time. Bought the pre-wound "L" bobbins from on-line and use a sidewinder bobbin winder to re-wind the bobbins. Noticed the newer machines changed the bobbin re-winder! lol

Do you have one of the older ones? When I researched prior to buying mine, I had read that there were tension issues but that they had been resolved. The only time I have that issue is when I don't have the presser foot all the way up while moving the fabric. Also, on the older ones, I have heard that the thread can come out of the last upper thread guide...another thing I think they fixed. I had heard that if you thread that guide left to right, rather than right to left, it helps.

Thanks Katier825 it could be I have the older version even though it was new. I did find out that the foot needs to be in the UP position that helps-- I will try and thread the last upper guard left to right. Anyone have ideas on how to prevent eyelashes when doing curves. Do you speed up? I want to do leaves and tendrils and know the latter will be a problem. I only have tension issues with the upper thread.

I think you slow down on curves.

I have a Sapphire 850 and love it. I started sewing on a Montgomery Ward machine in 1975. That one finally broke down in 2007. Bought a Pfaff and hated it. Kept it for 6 months then traded it in for the Sapphire and never looked back. I cant believe how easy it is to sew with. The foot automatically drops and lifts when needed. The other day I was sewing on my DGD's little machine and was sitting there waiting for the foot to drop....then realized I had to manually drop it.....duh.