| Viking:Designer Ruby (Embroidery Machine) | | Viewed 1416 time(s) |
6 more reviews for this machine | Review rated Helpful by 3 people Very Helpful by 7 people | | Reviewed by: | Chellica | 
 | | About Chellica | | | | Member since: 12/26/12 | | Reviews written: 1 | | Sewing skills:Intermediate | | sewing machines reviewed: 1 | | Bio: more... |
| | Posted on: | 12/28/12 2:21 PM | | Approx price paid: | $4999 | | Had this machine for: | 2 years | | Recommended? | Yes | | 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
- Embroidery Machine
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Discuss Sewing Machines with PR members Sewing Machine Forum | | What Chellica likes about this machine
I've had this machine for over 2 years, but I only used it for sewing until just recently as I've taken time away from the work force to be able to explore creative pursuits. This is my first experience with an embroidery machine. I actually went into my local Viking dealer expecting to buy a sewing machine, but once we started talking about the "embroidery stitches" she showed me how embroidery machines work and I fell in love with the idea that I could combine art with my love for sewing!
Let me discuss the sewing aspects of the machine first. I bought this machine to replace a $100 Brother sewing machine from Walmart circa 1995. I love the sewing adviser feature as it sets the stitch/tension settings automatically based on my fabric type and weight. It also tells me which needle and presser foot to use. I like having the presser foot raise automatically when I take my foot off the pedal for pivoting and adjusting fabric. If I don't want it to raise all I have to do is hit presser foot button and it will stay down every time I take my foot off the pedal, hit the button again and it goes back to pivot mode. The needle up/down button works the same way. The automatic thread cutter is fun.
Fabric just glides through this machine compared to my old one. I saw another reviewer discuss not liking how this machine sews. I remember how involved I had to be with my other machine with settings, moving the fabric, etc. so I can see how all this automation takes away from the labor of love experience. I don't miss it myself, however.
As mentioned, I am really new to the world of embroidery. I sometimes have issues like needle/thread breaks and nests under the fabric (caused by my inexperience with hooping, stabilizers, etc.) and I really like how I can go back to a specific part of a design and re-stitch an area. I also like being able to re-position the center, corners, etc.
When I purchased this machine I was concerned about obsolescence and the fact that there are so many embroidery edit options within the machine's operating system I felt better about it. I've been putting my files into the machine itself in addition to having them in my computer.
There are so many things I like it's hard to remember them all. I like how it it senses thread breaks and when the bobbin runs out. I like how it has LED lights so I'm not burning myself hitting the old light bulb moving the presser foot. I like the look of the machine with its matte finish and silver trim (sorry to everyone with the Ruby Deluxe shiny red plastic trim, I like mine better!) I especially like the magic wand noise at the end of an embroidery. What Chellica does not like about this machine
There are a few things to note, none of which is a deal breaker for me, though. I've read the other reviews on this site and I have some of the same complaints. The needle threader is finicky and I have to put the right amount of tension on the end of the thread at the right angle in order for it to start to pull the thread through the eye. Even then sometimes it drops it before it pulls it through very far and I have retry. I find myself threading the needle by hand most of the time.
When embroidering sometimes I like the underside of the design to have the same color thread as the top. I wish it did a better job of moving the hoop out of the way when I put it in the "bobbin position." I also wish there was a bobbin cutting setting as it only cuts the top thread when changing colors.
I haven't gotten used to the design positioning features beyond center point and corners and the icons that are used don't make much sense to me. I keep referring to the manual, but I can't quite get the hang of it yet.
I wish the fabric setting was either on the main screen with the design or kept in memory from the last embroidery because I forget that it reverts to light woven each time.
The oddest thing I've had come up is extra stitches/inconsistencies between duplicate embroideries. I create my own designs in 5D and I don't know if it's operator error or a software issue. These aren't major and at first I chalked it up to the fabric not being properly stabilized causing shifting, but then it added a black stitch in the center of a window without any black in one of my embroideries, but not in another. This was easy to take out, but odd. | *LOGIN to add a comment to this review
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Thank you for a nice thorough review! This machine is so pretty too. Just lovely and I am glad it is meeting your creative needs.
12/28/12 5:56 PM
Very nice review! I enjoyed reading all the things that you listed and why they were something you liked. So many times it is hard to understand just why someone likes or doesn't like a feature. You did a terrific job on the embroidery features.
12/29/12 1:37 PM
You do not have to tell the Ruby which fabric you are using when embroidering that setting only applies to the sewing machine. Hope this helps you
12/30/12 1:17 PM
I have been looking at this machine and thought you could not override the hover feature (the presser foot lifts up when you take your foot off the pedal) without disabling the sensor foot system. Do I understand correctly that if you press the presser foot button after the first "hover" the presser foot will stay down after that? I thought that when you press the presser foot button after it hovers it just puts the presser foot down that one time...Thanks! Beth
1/1/13 11:49 AM
Tailormaid: If you do hit the presser foot down button it will stay down when you take your foot off the pedal until you hit the presser foot up button. When the presser foot goes down, the needle goes up. I haven't been able to get both to stay down at the same time, but haven't really needed both down either.
1/8/13 10:09 AM