Silver Sandy

I have a Viking Designer 20 embroider machine and I love it. Also have another 30 yr old Viking and a Singer Confidence Quilter that I take to workshops. I had a old Kenmore that I sold and that was a work horse (from the 70's) and also an old Babylock that I bought in the 80's and got rid of because I couldn't keep it threaded.

Turns out the thread makes a big difference. If you are using old polyester thread in your Viking, throw it out and get cotton thread. A good quality thread makes a lot of difference. What brand of Viking did you get?

When I bought my Viking, I looked at the new Bernina's and didn't like the way they handled. I do love my mother in laws 25 yr old Bernina though.

Prism99

With so little information, you would need to post a photo.

catsnchina

I like my Bernina QE 440. It's intuitive, sews beautifully. It's heavy to carry to classes but I manage that ok as I have a Tutto rollable bag with steerable wheels.

I also have a small Brother 6000i that is very portable and good for classes where I'm mostly doing straight stitching. It was inexpensive. Only downside was I had to take it in for servicing because it requires a 90/14 needle if using invisible thread, embroidery threads or 40/2 ply threads. With the 90/14 needle it sews anything and everything.

I have a Viking Designer 2 that I hate (have had it 6 years) so I replaced it with the Bernina.

RugosaB

I have a Viking 630, bought in the mid 80's because my Singer wore out due to the plastic inside. This machine replaced it, had my requirements of all metal and no computer. It was $850 when new

jdeery

I have a very old Necci(?) just sews straight, weights a ton.
But I use it and it purrs. My main machine is a Bernina 155, and I am very pleased, never had to have it serviced.
I wish it had a stitch regulator on it, and the stitches
for letters are small. I also have used a Baby Lock and
they also have nice features, most places will let you
trade in for another model, Viking does guarantee and if
your not happy I would take it back with your complaint.

Para722

I just bought a Viking Sapphire 835 and I love it. It replaced my Viking Quilt designer which had a blown sewing head. This is my third viking and I truly love the machine. I also have a 35 yr old Janome that still works like a charm.

grammysharon

I have a Bernina 830 that I bought over a year ago and am still struggling with the learning curve on this machine. It does not like to quilt with metallic or monofilament thread and I use both these in my FMQing. I paid big money for this machine and am so mad @ myself. The store I purchased in from does continue to help me and Bernina has come out with a kit to make these threads work. I tried it a few days ago and the thread does not break as often but you have to go so slow. When I get frustrated I get out my old Bernina 1530 to FMQ but it does not have the long arm that the 830 has. Thanks for letting me vent. :oops:

kcferrel

I have a Bernina Artista 635... and I not only like this machine, I LOVE it. (I am purchasing a 200 to take to classes) It sews like a dream, and with Bernina the service and support are phenomenal. Their website is a wealth of information, I have come to know and love the people who work in the shop I purchased it from, I feel connected to all other Bernina owners.
I did a lot of reserach before I made my purchase and visited retailers and tried out the machines, that is a tell, believe me.

I almost purchased a Viking, I actually brought it home and then took it back to the shop. I am so happy that I did, the level of professionalism between the retailers is like night and day. And the difference in the machines, well, again like night and day!

As they say, you get what you pay for, and nothing sews like a Bernina, nothing.

gramquilter2

I have a Bernina 200E and a Bernina 440 I love them both and have never had any problems with them and I would buy another Bernina before anything else. I also have 2 Featherweights which I use for piecing. They stitch great and are light enough to take anywhere I go. The Bernina's are heavy as is the machine case to take them out in.

kcferrel

I have been told that it helps to put the heavier speciality threads in the bobbin.
The 830 is an incredible machine, but (imho) probably too much machine for someone who is non-technical, yes, there is an incredible learning curve to this machine. Maybe you can trade down to a different model, I have the 635, amd very technical, and after 6 months feel I am getting a good feel for it, and hope to be able to move up to the 830 one of these days, but don't know that I can justify the cost for personal use!