| Viking:#1 Plus (Sewing Machine) | | Viewed 1360 time(s) |
3 more reviews for this machine | Review rated Helpful by 1 people Very Helpful by 7 people | | Reviewed by: | scottiechick | 
 | | About scottiechick | | WA USA | | Member since: 8/22/09 | | Reviews written: 3 | | Sewing skills:Intermediate | | sewing machines reviewed: 3 | | Bio: more... |
| | Posted on: | 12/10/12 4:18 PM | | Had this machine for: | 15 Years | | Recommended? | Yes | | Online Merchants: | Amazon.com | Features
- Computerized
- Needle Up/Down Setting
- Embroidery Stitches
- One step buttonhole
- Free Arm
- Adjustable Stitch Length and Width
- Adjustable Presser Foot Pressure
- Adjustable Needle Position
- Embroidery Machine
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Discuss Sewing Machines with PR members Sewing Machine Forum | | What scottiechick likes about this machine
My mom gave me this machine when she upgraded to a Bernina 730 about 6 years ago. She bought it new in 1997, maybe 1996.
It sews a beautiful, beautiful stitch, and feels sturdy and high quality. It's a mostly metal machine, with a plastic front, so it's actually quite heavy.
I only do garment/home sewing, no embroidery, so I can't comment on that functionality. I do have all of the accessories for the machine, but I doubt I'll ever crack the case on the embroidery unit. I'm the kind of person who likes things to be complete, so I'll always keep the parts, just because they're supposed to be together. ;)
I have another machine, but this is the one that I sit down to when I want a stress-free sewing experience on light to medium weight materials. I use it for about 90% of my sewing. I have a more robust, mechanical machine for heavier duty, but it doesn't have the user experience of this one. This machine was designed for heirloom sewing, garment sewing and light embroidery. It wasn't made to sew Carhartts, so I feel that it would be silly to consistently ask that of the machine. I don't want to tax a machine that does so many things well with the things it wasn't designed to do.
What makes this machine my favorite of all the ones I own is both sentimental and practical. The sentimental factor is, obviously, that my mom gave it to me so it's special for that reason.
Here are the practical things I love about it:
I love that the presser foot lifter is angled to the side, vs. straight out the back of the machine. It's a much more natural action for my hand to reach back and lift the lever with a flick of my wrist. I'm left handed, but use my right for the presser foot lifter, and have no troubles with it.
I never have to mess with the tension. It's a real auto-tension machine that doesn't need tweaking.
I never have bobbin trouble with this machine.
It does a beautiful job on knits of all kinds.
I love that the stitch plate removes without screws, so it's easy to pop off and clean out the lint frequently. It's quick and easy, so I don't put cleaning it off.
I love buttons, so I naturally love the push-button style stitch selection vs. a touch screen that's found on newer computerized machines. Something about the tactile feedback of pushing an actual button makes it more satisfying, I guess.
I love the low bobbin indicator - I find it really surprising that this isn't in more modern machines.
Needle up/down
Speed adjustment. I love being able to turn down the maximum speed for top stitching and other precision work.
I've been trying to find a replacement machine that I like as much since I received this one. I love it so much, that I'm terrified of the day that it dies. I've been through many 'backup' machines the last 6 years, and none give me the experience the #1+ does. What scottiechick does not like about this machine
This machine is a 15+ year old computerized machine that's nearing the end of it's natural life. (Nooooooooooo!!! :( ).
Luckily, I've found a wonderful repair man who was an electronics repairman for 25 years before moving into sewing machine maintenance. Last year, the orange backlight on the sewing advisor screen went out, and he was able to repair it, versus replacing a part with his electronics experience. He has also been able to repair the foot control when it stopped being as responsive to being pressed.
If it weren't for him, the machine would have been kaput by this past year, or I would have spent a fortune in trying to replace likely hard to come by parts.
If you're looking to purchase this machine, I would make sure you have a knowledgeable person who can work on it (most modern Viking dealers have no idea about the specifics of the older machines, beware, beware, beware!) If you walk in to a dealer with the machine, and they don't tell you that it's a wonderful machine, and one of the best that Viking ever made, it means that they don't know anything about it and to find someone else. Seriously. I've taken this machine to 5 different dealers (moved around a lot) and 3 were so happy to see it and couldn't tell me enough what a great machine it was. 2 others were completely indifferent and had no idea what it was, and I got a crappy tune up at both of the latter that had to be redone. It's very similar to owning a Bernina 930 (which I also have). Many modern/younger Bernina dealers/repairmen won't have the know-how to work on the older mechanical machines.
I've considered buying a second #1+ for parts, but the electronics are more likely to go before something mechanical, and with a backup I'd just be holding onto two aging sets of electronics with no real guarantee. | *LOGIN to add a comment to this review
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What a wonderful sewing machine is model is/was. I hope you get much more sewing fun out of this machine! :)
12/10/12 5:43 PM
Wonderful review... I have the same machine. Bought it long ago brand new & still there's this solid trustworthy gracefullness about the #1+ that is hard to put into words. Would you private message me the name of your sw technican. No Viking dealers here so have been looking. Thanks.
12/10/12 6:12 PM
Very nice review, and you write very well too. I really enjoyed it.
12/10/12 9:08 PM
I did buy a back-up 1+ to go with mine for those elusive spare parts. A good repairman should be able to cannibalize even the electronics from one machine to the other. Great review!
12/11/12 1:20 AM
I have the #1 without the + and love it. You're right, these machines can't be repaired past a certain point. But they are wonderful while you have them. Thanks for a nice review.
12/11/12 8:22 AM
Good review. Wait, your repairman sounds like my repairman. Steve B?
12/11/12 7:20 PM
Kathleen1304 - Yes! Steve B! He's wonderful! I take all of my machines to him!
12/12/12 5:24 PM
I too have the #1+ and it's 15+years old. I don't sew on it all that much, I have a serger for most seams and a Singer 15-91 (vintage) for buttonholes. I so hope this minimal use will prolong the lifespan of my beloved Viking. I too have heard that the #1+ is the best machine Viking ever made.
12/15/12 4:32 PM
Nice review. I too own this machine and agree it's the best machine HV ever made.
12/15/12 4:48 PM
Sounds like a priceless machine for various reasons! Hope it lasts for many many many more projects! Thanks for the lovely review!
12/15/12 9:32 PM
I just looked at that machine yesterday. I would like a good used computerized machine and the sales lady was gushing over that machine. She had one, but her house burned down and she lost her dear 1+. They were asking under $500 with 1 year warranty. I currently use a heavy duty Viking 6000 series.
12/19/12 1:01 PM