Viking Sapphire dilemma.
 

Hi. Hoping for some advice from you wonderful quilters. My Viking Saphire has had it's ups and downs. I am considering a new machine because I cannot get it to cooperate for free motion quilting. No matter what speed I use, it constantly skips. Have any of you had this experience with a Sapphire. At the beginning it had to be retrofit on the take up lever and the bobbin case has always been hyper-sensitive and pops up. Help please. Should I just try for a new machine.

I sold my Viking sapphire machine because I could work for hours, cleaning, New thread, re-thread bobbin, used top quality quilting thread, fresh needle, etc and it would still give me grief on the fmq process. That said, I loved the embroidery features so much, I got a full-time embroidery machine, and I fmq with my good Kenmore sewing machine. Smaller throat, but never a glitch with fmq or sewing anything from silk to denim! Tin Lizzie or table top George is my "someday" dream!

Also having a Sapphire, have heard and addressed some of these problems. There is great information on the Yahoo Sapphire Group board (access is by signing up). The discussion about free motion is ongoing. There are changes you can make by using different tension and/or foot pressure settings which can improve your outcomes. Unless you are doing a very heavy quilt, you might try using the free motion floating setting, using some additional adjustments, and it works very well -- I use this on the majority of my work. Please check the board, and/or contact me via QB mail. Other Sapphire owners might have additional info -- so I'll be watching here too!

I have only used a Huskvarna many years ago,before computerized machines and had a similar problem with it. Have you been using a 'hopping' foot? they can make all the difference. If you decide to change machines, I have a great relationship with my Brothers (embroidery and sewing ) for 15 yrs, with no problems. Very easy to use as well. At the moment I'm trialing a Pfaff CV, and while it has more bells and whistles than the other machines, I'm finding it hard to fathom, and remember, which buttons to push. However it does great work once I know what to do. Hope I helped

I have had very similar experiences reneaunoel and am glad I not alone. Love the alphabet on this 830, have a Daisy which I carry to class. This fmq project and pretty much all along have been all stitch and rip. Since I love all other aspects of the quiltzmaking adventure I am fed up. Ever since I got the machine I had trouble with and thought it was me. Thanks so much for your input.

Hulalulu, I will definitely check out this resource! The free motion floating is what I have tried. I keep thinking it's just me and no matter hw much I adjust things when I start to stitch, pulling thread up, stitch in place to knot it, as soon as I move the fabric it skips. Slow and steady, regular sandwich of 2 cottons and warm and natural batt. Mames me ready to cry when the quilt itself looks good. Boo hoo ;-)

Gay, thank you for replying. All the bells and whistles throw me too.LOL I have taken a class, maybe another one with a Viking dealer.

I FMQ all the time on my sapphire. No problems. I have my thread laying down not up like a regular sewing machine. I also use the little clear foot to fmq. I must be one of the only ones who enjoy my sapphire.

I had problems with mine until i took it in for a cleaning. They replaced the take up lever ( under warranty) with a different style. It's been behaving since then. I do have to increase the tension manually when I FMQ. The only thread it refuses is the clear poly that i like to use as the top thread on scrappy quilts.

I usually piece with Aurifil and FMQ with King Tut or Star thread.

I have the Sapphire 870 and although it was a learning curve when I first got it, I am very happy with it. It does NOT do embroidery though, so not sure about a previous comment by reneaunoel. I usually use my spring foot when doing FMQ... (and make sure to change the settings on the machine to match) I am not that great at it, but I'm pretty sure that is operator error.....I know what I should do...but I don't make the time to practice enough. The books that came with the machine are pretty good...and every once in awhile I refresh my memory and am amazed at how much I have forgotten.

The Magic Bobbin Washers on Leah Day's site and a small increase in thread tension corrected my problem.

Playswithcolor, the take-up levrer is what started the problems, i was fixed. Then there are the ongoing problems with bobbin popping out. My dealer closed and, well, I willstop whining. Lol. Thanks for your input.

No problems with mine. It works perfect even for fmq.

Rose Marie, so glad to hear that yours has given you no problems. Do you have any hints or suggestions? What model is yours? The 830? or one that was corrected and is a later model?

I had trouble skipping until I used a size 18 needle.

It is an 830 with the smaller screen.
I dont remember when I bought it but its been years.
I was good about keeping it serviced for the first couple of years but have moved and there are not Viking dealers where I am now.
My only complaint is the area around the needle is tight to move your hand around in.
It does have a 10 in throat space and that is good for fmq. It has a drop in bobbin which is a must have for me.

I have a Sapphire also, but no embroidery. I had trouble in the 1st month. But when I returned for my new owner class, some adjustments were made and it works great for the last 3.5 years. It is a little picky about wanting the top and bottom thread the same. Have never adjusted the tension.

use the start /stop button and R foot. Mine is a workhorse no problems. relax. sounds like you may be pulling the fabric. bobbin case should not pop up. when did you have last service?

It has been at least 3 years. The dealer closed. I have a confession though. My DH encouraged me to get a newer one. We got it at Joann's and it is a 960q. I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I will try all the advice you have contributed and hope for the best. Now I have to find a new home for the 830.

I have the 960q and I love it!
There is a YouTube link I checked and it helped me get full understanding of all the features.

Bobbin case popped out on a different machine for me
I ordered a new bobbin case for the make and model online- easy fix

When I replaced it the problem got solved
The old one had a tiny chip in it caused from me pulling on the fabric when the thread from the bobbin got stuck. I'm much more careful how I handle my machines now.

I used my 830 for years to FMQ but learned to use a size 18 needle and it does not like King Tut thread. Using the larger size needle was the trick for me!

Love my Sapphire 870 for everything. Use free motion floating setting, reduce pivot height to either -1, -2 or -3. Purchased open toe metal foot. I just like it better than plastic R foot. Using silk thread to quilt this now. Glide prewounds in bobbin.

That's funny, my Sapphire 875 works the best with mono filament thread. I've had a lot of trouble using anything other than that and Mettler silk finish. My biggest problem is not PRACTICING!

That's where I fall down; practicing. I get something going that I want to finish and think: I don't have time to practice on this one so I'll just stitch in the ditch and so... no practicing, again.

thanks carslo, I'll give that a try. I am just tired of being afraid to try fmq! LOL