| Viking:Sapphire 870 Q (Sewing Machine) | | Viewed 932 time(s) |
11 more reviews for this machine | Review rated Helpful by 2 people Very Helpful by 9 people | | Reviewed by: | zanna456 | 
| | About zanna456 | | | | Member since: 6/12/10 | | Reviews written: 1 | | sewing machines reviewed: 1 | | Bio: more... |
| | Posted on: | 3/17/13 5:10 PM | | Approx price paid: | $1900 | | Had this machine for: | 5 years | | Recommended? | Maybe | | Online Merchants: | Amazon.com |  | 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
- Auto Threading
Find the right Sewing Machine with the Sewing Machine Search Wizard
Discuss Sewing Machines with PR members Sewing Machine Forum | | What zanna456 likes about this machine
This machine sews nice seams, the harp is a decent size at 10", the foot pedal is comfortable and the needle threader works well. Although it took a little getting used to at the start, I find it very easy to operate the needle up/needle down function, the cutter button, speed adjuster, etc. Anything with a dedicated button is a breeze. Except for when machine quilting, the machine has been reliable. There are all kinds of bells and whistles I don't use, even basic things like sewing a buttonhole or zipper, let alone more advanced functions like mirror images of special stitches or using the alphabet to make a quilt label. What zanna456 does not like about this machine
My biggest issue with this machine is tension when free-motion quilting. It is impossible to get properly balanced tension. In a single line of quilting my bobbin thread will show on the top of some stitches and the top thread will show on the bottom of others. I have had the machine in for servicing, tried different needles, and played with the tension of a replacement bobbin case. The only thing that seems to work is using a size 70 needle, and then I have to (a) moderate the speed at which I quilt and (b) use 50 wt thread or thinner in the top. The tension problem is why I will soon be buying a new machine, either to completely replace this machine or to use for quilting only, while saving this machine for garment sewing and other tasks.
In the "I learned to live with it" category are the following:
The bobbin has never wound evenly so I use a pencil to raise the winding thread to ensure the top of the bobbin is wound, otherwise only the bottom half would be wound. I had to buy an extension table (>$100) because there is no accessory holder or cover that meets the free arm in front of the needle. (The accessory holder snaps in behind the free arm so when you're sewing your finished seam is supported, but nothing supports the fabric as it is being fed into the machine.) The lighting isn't as good as I'd like, although that might just be me.
These are the highlights and lowlights of this machine from my perspective. My previous machines were a Bernina 1090 that I adored for 14 years (until it would automatically change from straight stitching to zig-zag mid quilt) and a Babylock Quilter's Choice (that I traded in for this Viking Sapphire aftter 11 months because the dealer carried both brands and and would allow me to upgrade within a year). The Babylock was alright, but it didn't blow me away.
So whether or not I'd recommend this machine depends on how you'd like to use it.
| *LOGIN to add a comment to this review
*Only registered members can post comments to the reviews. Membership is free. if you are not a member, please Sign-up now! |
|
3 Comments
Login to Add a Comment |
|
|Login|Help]
Thanks for the honest review. This machine is on my short list of wants so it's nice to here the ups and downs. I had that same bobbin winding issue with my Scandinavia and would push the bobbin thread up too. It's kind of endearing now to think of it. I did upgrade to a Babylock Symphony recently, but will always have a soft spot for Viking. I hope you find a machine you love.
3/17/13 5:30 PM
The reason you say that nothing supports the fabric in front of the feed is because Viking likes the needle right up front where you can see what is going on - when my machine has its own table on (accessory storage in back as you say) I do not have that problem. I don't have a Sapphire of course, I have the Platinum, but I love the needle up front. I think the tension on these machines is always set way too tight, and that is indeed a situation that is hard to FMQ with. I would save the Viking for garment and home dec sewing and get another machine just for FM and quilting and I would get maybe a straight stich machine like the Babylock Jane. :)
3/17/13 7:47 PM
I also have had this Viking Sapphire for 5 years. We have never really bonded. Needle threaders is way more trouble than it's worth, even after being replaced by factory authorized service. Thread cutter jams and requires removing entire plate and bobbin assembly and starting over. I mostly garment and the wide feed dogs don't allow me the control I like for fine tuning ease, curves, etc. I opt for my Bernina 1130 when I want control and quiet, relaxed sewing. I've learned that bells and whistles are sales points that jack up the price. I seldom think about them. I was really excited about the alphabet feature until I stitched it out and saw how ugly letters really are. Yes, my bobbin winds like that also.
3/18/13 7:51 AM