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| Viking:Designer Diamond (Sewing Machine) | | Viewed 2317 time(s) |
1 more reviews for this machine | Review rated Helpful by 5 people Very Helpful by 18 people | | Reviewed by: | hammerdulcimerplayer | 
| | About hammerdulcimerplayer | | | | Member since: 12/6/07 | | Reviews written: 2 | | sewing machines reviewed: 2 | | Bio: more... |
| | Posted on: | 7/3/08 1:35 PM | | Approx price paid: | $3000 | | Had this machine for: | 2 days | | Recommended? | Yes | Features
- Computerized
- Needle Threader
- Needle Up/Down Setting
- Embroidery Stitches
- One step buttonhole
- Drop-In bobbin
- Free Arm
- Adjustable Stitch Length and Width
- Adjustable Presser Foot Pressure
- Adjustable Needle Position
- Embroidery Machine
- Auto Threading
| | What hammerdulcimerplayer likes about this machine
I just picked my Diamond up on Tuesday (July 1st). Yes. I'm a bit embarrassed that I spent that much on a sewing machine, but I am BLOWN away by this machine. My favorite feature (design positioning) sounds trivial unless you've ever tried to piece together huge embroideries. (I design murals and such.) The Design Positioning feature saved me SO much time. Basically you load a design, click on any place on the design and the machine will move the hoop so that the needle hovers over that point on the hoop. Then you just push the arrow keys until the needle is hovering over the place in the hoop where you want that point to land. Than you can pick another point and rotate and manipulate it until you have your design lined up exactly where you want it. It took me about 30 seconds to completely line up a design which would have taken me about 20 minutes on my old machine. I am SO excited.
It also stitched out about 200,000 stitches yesterday without ever breaking a thread or making an error. This is a TOTALLY new concept for me. It has a countdown timer that tells me how much longer it will take to stitch out a color (as well as stitch countdown for both the color and the total design.) So I got to the point yesterday where I trusted it enough to leave for the 30 minutes it would take to finish stitching out a color. AWESOME!
The machine comes with a nice case for the embroidery unit as well as luggage (and wheels) to tote the machine. Nice touch!
I wasn't sure I had done the right thing when I traded in for this machine, but now I couldn't be happier!
UPDATE 10/1/08 - 3 months and more than 1 million stitches:
I still love this machine. I just installed the new upgrade from Viking, with hesitation since if it ain't broke.... The upgrade went perfectly and I notice no difference, since I had been having no problems. So 5 minutes spent to be on the latest software is probably a fair trade-off. I have made several garments over the past 3 months and embroidered well over a million stitches and am as thrilled as I was in July. I had one issue in August where the bobbin kept unthreading between jump stitches. I whined to my dealer who concluded the machine was fine but the bobbin thread was super slippery (YLI lingerie thread - I wanted dark backing and it was the only black bobbinish thread I had.) In the interest of not wanting to rethread the bobbin between jump stitches, I caved and swapped to something else (probably Superior Bottom Line.) I have had no trouble since. I have never had bobbin tension issues when sewing or with any other thread, so I throw it out there for what it's worth.
The machine continues to delight!
I have also decided that the machine is not slow. It seems to adjust more than the SE did (like slow down for long satin stitches, etc.) But I think that is contributing to the lack of issues I am having.
I do know some Diamond owners have had issues (I haven't but others have.) It's a big expenditure and if you want a lot of information, you might want to join the Designer Diamond Yahoo group. It is a great resource for information and if you do get a Diamond, it's invaluable for asking questions. Also, you can read about those who have had issues, so you know what kind of things have come up.
What hammerdulcimerplayer does not like about this machine
I think it stitches a bit slower than the Designer SE, but I expect that is why threads didn't break, etc. I also think it stitches more slowly when using the huge hoop (360mmX350mm!) but that's an understandable price to pay for the convenience of a single hooping. I'm glad I got the majestic hoop, (optional) but I'm not sure it's worth it, especially since the design positioning makes rehooping and realigning SO EASY!
At first I didn't like the new style of buttons, but they are growing on me. They give a good tactile response even though they don't stick out like the Designer SE buttons.
The 1G memory stick that comes with the machine is garbage. It came apart the first time I pulled it out of my USB port. But that's pretty trivial. I have lots of good memory sticks, so it didn't bother me. However, I will take it back to my dealer the next time I'm going and tell them that it's cheap and unworthy of the Diamond.
Oh and the price. You see that I wrote that I paid $3000. Actually I paid $3000 plus my Designer SE trade-in (not SE Limited, just SE with the jumpstitch upgrade.) It's a lot of money, but I'm very happy with it so far. It outperforms my SE by at least $3k worth.
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| Reader Comments | | Mufffet | 7/3/08 | Sounds like you got a machine that meets your needs. The giant hoop was impressive, and for wall hangings, WOW, what a nice tool. Still lots less than the large professional embroidery machines with the turbo-speed. :) Happy sewing. I enjoyed your review. | | * * * | | Peggy | 7/3/08 | I enjoyed your review too although I think it would be helpful to post the suggested retail price because when some people see the $3000 they'll be having a fit!! | | * * * | | FlyGuy2 | 7/3/08 | I agree with peggy about the price, with the trade I am guessing that the machine retails for more then the SE which if I am guessing right would be around 8 or 9 thousand | | * * * | | downs | 7/3/08 | I would trade my Designer SE for a new Diamond Designer. Where did you buy yours for that price. I will trade mine now if your dealer will do this. Marion | | * * * | | PoppyB | 7/4/08 | I believe the retail price for the Diamond is $8999.00. From what I was quoted for my SE, it looks like you got a fair deal (mine was about the same, but I can't come up with a good reason - like doing large murals, to trade up :) Happy sewing! And you always have the dulcimer for a break. | | * * * | | ChristineBR | 7/4/08 | I agree withe everything you said, with one addition. Don't ever drop your screen pointer stick; the cheap plastic top (or bottom) will snap off in a trice! Also totally unworthy of a $9k machine. I have already replaced it with a Staples brand aluminum job. | | * * * | | johnr55 | 7/5/08 | Thanks for the review. Do you ever do murals w/o having the machine do it? My largest has been 4ft x 6ft, freehand of course. | | * * * | | Celeste | 7/6/08 | Christine: Agree with your belief the stick thing should have been more adequate. That's what customers long for nowadays is just a little more commitment from the folks making and selling these machines. | | * * * | | tcusic | 7/6/08 | I just got my Designer about a week ago and I really like it. It's my first Viking machine so I didn't have one to trade in which means I had to come up with the $9K sticker price. But I think it was a great investment. One other thing I would add to your dislikes is that this machine is a little loud during embroidering. | | * * * | | sewgirl55 | 7/7/08 | After reading your review I went to my Viking dealer, saw the machine and purchased it. The $9,000 sticker price was a shock, but I did get a good trade in deal. Happy sewing to you! | | * * * | | Louisasews | 7/8/08 | Thank you for taking the time to write a review of this newly released machine which retails for $9,999.00 in Oz.
You say it seems slower than the Designer SE which raises the interesting question of just how much technical info is available to purchasers. The glossy brochure I have is an emotively written document, which lacks detail for anyone who already owns a Husky and might want to upgrade (I have the Rose).
I am interested to know how it outperforms your SE "by at least 3k...", and interested to know why, with the amount of embroidery you seem to do, you would not consider a muilti-needle embroidery machine? | | * * * | | Athene | 7/10/08 | Thank you for the review. It sounds like a very exciting machine. Its too bad the the memory stick is unworthy, but thats a very little thing to replace - its just a little silly that they put in a unsatisfactory stick with such a magnificent machine. | | * * * | | sfsailgirl | 7/13/08 | Can you email where you bought the machine with phone number. timeforpat@sbcglobal.net | | * * * | | hammerdulcimerplayer | 7/14/08 | Sorry I haven't been back sooner to respond to your comments about my review. I have used my machine extensively since I wrote the review nearly two weeks ago and continue to be thrilled. I find it to be substantially quieter (as does my family) than the Designer SE. However, my SE was outfitted with the jump stitch upgrade and I have heard that that could make it noisier. I have not yet broken the stylus (or anything else but the USB stick - which btw, I brought back to the dealer who was appropriately apologetic and promised to get me a new one.) More about my dealer, Nashua Sew and Vac in Nashua, NH, http://www.nashuasewandvac.com/. They are a FANTASTIC dealer, with great classes, and excellent service. I purchased my Designer SE from this dealer in December, so maybe that is why they gave a good trade in. But feel free to talk with them. I have been doing business with them for 10 years. I live about 28 miles from them, but find it worth the drive to do business with them.
Let's see if I can address some of the other questions - I have never done a mural without the machine. Good for you, johnr55!
I'm not sure that this machine is slower than the Designer SE. It sure sews just as blisteringly fast. And on simple stitches when embroidering, it flies. (I know that's not very scientific and I don't know a "stitch/minute" number. But I use a lot of long stitches and intricate fills and I think this machine is better at knowing when to slow down. I continue to be thrilled with it's performance.
With response to Louisasews question about why I haven't sprung for a multi-needle machine...I can't answer that very well. I certainly considered it at this juncture, but decided that the size of the hoop on the Diamond was larger than anything available on a multi-needle machine. Am I misinformed on this? Does anyone have experience with multi-needle machines? I am certainly interested in learning more. I had considered getting a second machine on which to sew while the Diamond is embroidering. I do what I can with my serger, but sometimes you just need to sew. But this machine does such a beautiful job sewing, I would hate to go back. Adding a stand-alone embroidery machine is pretty appealing (not this year as the budget has been blown but maybe a thought for the future.)
I'll let you know what the resolution for the broken memory stick is. The dealer was suitably appalled and went away to whine to Viking about it. :o)
Still love my Diamond!
| | * * * | | hammerdulcimerplayer | 7/14/08 | OH YEAH!!!!!!! I can't believe I forgot to mention in my original review. One huge difference between the Designer SE and the Diamond is with the largest hoop. On the SE when using the mega hoop, you have to move the hoop every so often. It could only stitch on about half of the hoop and it would stop and wait for you to shift the hoop to a new position so that it could continue. You don't have to do that with the Diamond. It is able to stitch out the entire hoop. This makes a huge difference. Now I really only have to change colors and that's it. | | * * * | | SewKrazie | 8/12/08 | I have an opportunity to purchase this Designer Diamond (which seems wonderful), but in order to afford it, I would have to trade in my BabyLock Ellegante 2 (which I like very much). Is the Diamond so spectacular as to make a trade like this? The shop is willing to give me $3500 for the trade-in. | | * * * | | hammerdulcimerplayer | 8/15/08 | I would hate to tell you to trade in a machine that you love in order to get a Diamond. And I'm not familiar with the Ellegante. So I can't tell you that it would be a good idea. I can only tell you that I still love my Diamond. | | * * * | | wriggly | 9/4/08 | Thanks for your review and update which I found interesting. It sounds like you all get a better deal on trade-ins over the pond as all I've been offered for my D1 is £1000 against the Diamond's purchase cost of £4495. Apparently, D1SEs (and Berninas from 630e upwards) will be given a £1200 trade-in value. As I have an elderly but very reliable D1 and an equally reliable and newish Bernina 630e I can't decide which to trade ...... Ah, the problems of MATHS (Machine Acquisition Trauma and Hysteria Syndrome as my DD calls it) rears it's ugly head again .... | | * * * | | Snell | 9/17/08 | Good info. I'm drooling for this machine! | | * * * | | sarads | 9/28/08 | sewKazie,
I have the Ellegante also, The Diamond does offer the bigger hoops. The Ellisimo has a wider hoops, but the Diamond still beats that.
I've been wanting the Diamond also, so been to my dealer with questions on the Diamond. It has alot of nice features the Ellegante doesn't have. Just look on the viking website and check these out vs: the Ellegante or Ellisimo.
This is what I'm trying to do, I think the Diamond wins, but to trade to the Ellisimo it would be a cheaper way to go in price.
Hard choice, my viking dealer said I can go and play on it anytime. This way you can get a feel for it.
Just a thought... Hard choice!
Good luck,
Donna
| | * * * | | SewKrazie | 9/30/08 | sarads, well, I did it. I traded my Ellegante in for a Diamond. No regrets so far. I did go see an Ellisimo demo at that dealer. She was offering $3000 as a trade-in for Ellegantes depending on the stitche count. I think I got a better deal on the Diamond considering that dealer came down more than $2000 off MSRP, threw in the Majestic Hoop, $250 in store credit, a free foot, stabilizer (for the big hoops) and more. The only thing I miss on the Ellegante is the ability to program needle down always. The Diamond stitches wonderfully, but I have yet to try the embroidery. | | * * * |
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