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| Viking:400 (Sewing Machine) | | Viewed 503 time(s) |
1 more reviews for this machine | Review rated Very Helpful by 8 people | | Reviewed by: | katlew03 | 
 | About katlew03 | | FL USA | | Member since: 1/4/08 | | Reviews written: 39 | | Sewing skills:Advanced | | Favored by: 5 people | | sewing machines reviewed: 2 | | Bio: more... |
| | Posted on: | 10/31/09 8:25 PM | | Approx price paid: | $450 | | Had this machine for: | 15 years | | Recommended? | Yes | Features
- Computerized
- Needle Up/Down Setting
- Embroidery Stitches
- Drop-In bobbin
- Free Arm
- Adjustable Stitch Length and Width
- Adjustable Presser Foot Pressure
- Adjustable Needle Position
| | What katlew03 likes about this machine
I am not sure a picture will appear automatically in this review. I did find these pictures through the Internet
Viking Model 400
I hope the above link works because there is no preview button. I think is is a Freesia because it looks like the Freesia 425 that has been reviewed a couple of times on PR.
I bought this machine used after I wore out the gears in my Viking 6460 by making 35-40 garments a month. I could not afford a new TOL Viking and needed a machine right away. I did not realize what a jewel this machine was until recently. I sewed on it for a number of years before replacing it with a #1 about 7 years ago. I can't find my receipts so am guessing on the amount of time for both of these. This machine sat covered in my sewing room until about six months ago when I decided that the #1 was too heavy to carry to my church sewing group. I had it serviced and was pleasantly surprised at how well it sews.
The stitch quality is great for such a basic machine. It does not give me any problems starting a seam and backtacking--the thread never knots up like my #1 sometimes does. It comes with an accessory tray with five additional sewing feet, a horizontal spool pin, a detachable vertical spool pin for larger spools, and two different sized spool holders. The bobbin can be wound with the machine threaded. The accessory tray forms an extended sewing surface when the free arm is too narrow. Both spool pins can be used for twin-needle sewing. I went back and checked the link and noticed that this machine also has an extension table that makes the sewing surface larger. I guess that should be used instead of the accessory tray. Mine was sitting on a shelf and I was wondering which machine it went to. I haven't used it in years but it did work well when I did. The picture from the Craig's List ad is the only one I could find online.
The recommended thread tension setting is shown in the display window. The manual gives the normal settings for buttonholes and decorative stitches. When you lift your foot from the foot control, the needle always stops in the up position. The nedle stop position can be regulated by using the foot control. To raise or lower the needle after stopping, lightly tap the foot control. The presser foot pressure can be adjusted with a dial. The feed teeth can be lowered for button sewing or free-motion embroidery or to get thick fabric under the presser foot.
The display screen has a reverse button, stitch length, a stop button (concludes a pattern, fastens the thread and stops automatically when sewing pattern has been completed), stitch width, function (programable), memory, clear (deletes stitches programmed in), selected stitch number, and recommended thread tension. The memory can retain programmed stitches. The stitches can be mirror-imaged. There are two different buttonholes. Buttonhole size can be programmed in so that a particular buttonhold can be repeated unlimited times. The buttonhold can be retained in the memory even after the machine is turned off. There is a quick info display on the front of the machine for buttonholes.
The needle position can be set to 25 different positions. The monogram stitch can be tapered using FUNC button. This machine does not require oiling. Quite a few attachments and feet are available for it.
This machine has 30 stitches, ranging from straight, reinforced straight stitch, stretch, zigzag, triple zigzag, flatlock, blind hem, bridging, overlock, overcast, and various decorative stitches that can be combined through programming and mirror-imaging, except for the last four utility stitches which are repeatable but not programable.
Finally, this machine is dependable and offers excellent stitch quality. It runs very quietly and smoothly. I plan to keep this machine for a long time. It is fairly lightweight, although I do use a luggage cart because of my arthritis. However, I can lift it into and out of the trunk with no problems. What katlew03 does not like about this machine
I have not tried the buttonholes since I had this machine serviced because I have two other machines that I use for those. This is a machine I use when I need to sew away from home such as my church sewing group. Before I had it serviced I had a few problems getting the buttonhole setting to produce identical buttonsholes in a series. Not a big problem, however. I can't think of anything else that has given me a problem.
A good, basic machine with some extras. | *LOGIN to add a comment to this review
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| Reader Comments | | Mufffet | 10/31/09 | Thanks for the great review! I am partial to Vikings and enjoyed your review. I still think about the 300 I could have bought from a lady near me years ago and I didn't! Sure, now I have a Viking, but I could have had one earlier! ;) | | * * * | | johnr55 | 10/31/09 | This looks like a computerized version of the Madison I just reviewed-same frame, tension, etc. That should be a good sign for me since you have been so happy. You know, Vikings from the 70's and 80's had some really funky colors. This is a beautiful machine and you are lucky. Thanks for a great review-I love to hear some history on the machine! | | * * * | | Boo97 | 11/1/09 | I have owned my 400 for 14 yrs and can appreciate your comments especially regarding inconsistent buttonhole sizes. That was my only disappointment so I eventually upgrade to the Viking Platinum 770 with the buttonhole sensor foot. I'an wonderful machine and I would hate to part with mine! | | * * * | | dbsewer | 11/1/09 | This is a great review of a nice machine. The Freesia/400 is one of those work horse models that you can always depend on. Good for you, getting it serviced and running. May you have many happy hours of sewing. | | * * * | | what is not taken | 11/1/09 | Great review. Have a fun time enjoying your machine. | | * * * | | diane s | 11/3/09 | I bought one of these used for daughter when she was in college in about 2002. This was the model under the Viking 500, that later turned into the Rose. I got to try it our last year when I was staying at her house doing some home dec projects. It sewed quiet and smooth and was easy to use. I made pillows curtains and a duvet cover with cording and the machine plowed through everything, no problem. | | * * * | | obsessed with sewing | 11/3/09 | The Viking 400 was my first "real" sewing machine. I used this machine for almost 14 years with no problems until I took it in to be serviced (a piece of monofilament thread snapped while sewing and got tangled up inside the macine). I didn't want to pull it out myself because I was worried about messing up the tension, I took it in to be serviced and after that I had nothing but problems. The first place that serviced it broke the presser foot lift and messed up the tension. The second place I took it broke the presser foot pressure dial and did nothing to resolve the horrible tension issues. At this point (after $130 in bench fees) I gave up and bought a new machine (Janome 2900). Boo hoo, although the Janome is okay, I liked the Viking much better, it sewed like a dream and was always dependable. I do agree with you about the buttonholes being inconsistent, but other than that I had no complaints. Enjoy your "new" machine. | | * * * |
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