I have a Viking Designer SE that I got for embroidery and it works fine. Can't seem to get great FMQ results though. I don't use the embroidery at all - it wasn't my thing.

I am wondering what you think is a good thing to do. Sell the Viking and get a machine that does better with the Quilting or just keep the one I have.

My thinking is that this Viking is a great embroidery machine and it will become obsolete and then it won't be worth much at all...so should I get rid of it now or use it up. Sounds like I am buying a car!!

I have a Viking Mega Quilter and it does great FMQ. Did you get it at the Viking dealer at Joann's? Maybe they take trades which would lower the price on a different machine.

I too have the designer SE. Great embroidery and sewing machine. However I have taken multiple free motion quilting classes and have practised alot-still am not happy with doing fmqing on it. Your financial situation will probably be what determines your choice. I am cleaning up an old Singer 301 and going to practise fmq-ing on it. That should let me know if it's me or the Designer SE that is the issue with my fmq.

Kat

I would consider another Viking, but I am not thrilled with the shop I deal with.

I have been looking at Janome or Babylock. Could use opinons on them too.

Well, I hate to say this but doesn't the SE use diskettes? That would be obsolete already as new embroidery machines use USB drives. Machines and computers are obsolete as soon as the go out the door. So, holding on to it another 6mos. is not going to cost you a fortune.

I have the Janome Horizon 7700, and it is a great quilting machine. Leah Day has one -- here is her discussion of the machine after she got it:
http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.c...w-machine.html

The Designer is already obsolete; my BFF has a Diamond and it is already falling behind the times. So there is really no keeping up with the technology. If you really don't use or want the embroidery feature, I would definitely look at Janomes. I have a Babylock which I love but I do a lot of embroidery. If I were looking at something for sewing primarily, I would buy a Janome 6500 or a Horizon (skip that 6600-it's a dog!).

There is a lot to be said for being happy with your dealer so that has to play a key factor too! Good luck with your decision. (My personal opinion is to ditch the Viking and get the Janome - look at cost of accessories for Janome versus other brands!)

What foot are you using for FMQ? I have a Sapphire. It came with an R foot, which I didn't have any luck with. I do much better with a spring foot. I'm not at home to check the item number, but if you want me to check when I get back, let me know.

I can't advise on other machines. The Sapphire is my 2nd Viking and I had the first Viking for many years.

Hi...here are my thoughts for what they are worth...I have the Designer 1 (USB)and had exactly the same problem with trying to learn FMQ...it certainly isn't the best but the machine is stacked with superb features, pivoting needle, cutters, lock stitch....etc.Isn't worth selling as would only get a few hundred dollars for it.
What I decided was to keep the Designer 1 and buy a cheaper machine without all the bells and whistles for Quilting...I ended up getting a second hand Pfaff Select 3, a mechanical machine but with a built in walking foot(IDT)...I have to say it does a brilliant job but I have missed my bells and whistles....so I have just bought the Janome 6600 very cheaply as people are trading it in to buy the Horizon. The machine is beautiful....FMQ is a dream, having bought the conversion FMQ foot and stitch quality lovely.....however the walking foot is not as good as on the Pfaff......
I think I could so be a machine designer....each maker is good at somethings but not all....perhaps we need a machine company that takes the best bits of all machines.....now I would rush out and buy that !

I sold my Viking Designer 11...& got a Bernina with FM quilting foot.Had no issues with the VD, just didn't use any of the features & don't really know why.Guess we just weren't a good fit.
When it comes to spending big money,my advice is to read up about machines, pick a couple that sound good & go from there.
My dealer is 60 miles away, but they're very good at answering any questions on the phone.I don't have/use embroidery....but this machine is great & works for me.All newer machines come with a learning curve.Good luck in finding yours.