krysti

DH and I were at Joann's the other day, and he made the mistake of saying "shall we look at the machines?" I had told him previously I would never want one of those expensive machines; but then I walked by and say the arm on that Viking and I started drooling! I am wondering if anyone has a Sapphire (and which one if you do)? I am pretty sure that the one I glanced at was an 835; but they had 3 of them sitting there. All I can think about is that arm space, and it seems like it would be way less difficult to quilt on because of all that extra room. The price they had on the machine was $899. This is ALOT of money for me; however I am trying to see if I could figure out a way to get it. There would be no way I could spend anymore than that like for a Pfaff or Bernina or anything like that. For those of you who do have this machine, do you like it? What do you like about it? Have you had any problems with it? If so, what kind? What, if anything do you dislike about it? How often does it need to be serviced, and how much does it cost to have serviced? Is it best to buy new or used? Does it usually come with the correct quilting feet? If not; which ones should you purchase and how much? Is there a particular time of year that is best to buy as far as getting better deals? I am sorry I am asking so many questions. I did not talk to the salesperson or anything; I have been trying to talk myself out of it since I saw it; because I really can't afford, but........I figured I could at least educate myself on it. Thank you in advance for your responses; I so appreciate it!

LTeachergeorge

Krysti, I have a Viking Sapphire -- an 835, I think. It is not here right now (I put it in storage to ready for company over Easter -- didn't want you to think it was in the shop! LOL) I also have a Viking Designer SE (embroidery). LOVE LOVE LOVE both of them!! I've had the Sapphire for about 4 years and the SE for about 8. You are correct about the extra arm space on the Sapphire. It is really nice, though I don't do much of my own quilting. The Sapphire frame is the same as Viking's top-of-the-line Diamond. There are quite a few fancy stitches on it also. I bought the Sapphire thinking it would be lighter to take to classes, etc, but it really isn't. I alternate using them in no particular sequence. I do think I paid a LOT more than $899 -- I bought it from a Viking dealer, so it came with free classes, which I have gone through several times. I learn something new each session. I had to purchase the 1/4 inch piecing foot and the single holed throat plate extra -- throat plate is large, so it was pricey. All my feet (and bobbins) are interchangeable on the two machines. Viking are extremely well made and you will love it if you decide to purchase. Hope I've answered some questions. Ask me more if you'd like. Good luck! Linda George

wanda lou

I have an older Viking (Lily) and you can never go wrong with one.

NJ Quilter

I have a Viking Platinum - forget which number though. It's older than the Sapphire. My friend just bought one of those about a year ago. We both love our Vikings. They have a 'scant' 1/4" needle position, so no need for a 1/4" foot. Neither she nor I do machine quilting so I can't answer your questions regarding feet for that. I have a ton of fancy stitches that I never use. Don't remember how hers has. I've had mine close to 10 years and have never had a problem. Don't even think I've had it in for service. Love the needle up/down; auto tension and many other features. I paid $1000-$1200 at the time and my friend paid about the same for hers recently. Mine also has a start/stop button and speed control for that so I would imagine MQ'ing would be reasonably easy. I think the Sapphire has the same feature. I looked at many machines before buying mine and for the features I wanted, I found it to be the best bang for the buck. No buyers remorse here at all.

katier825

I have the 830 (previous model of that machine) and I love it. I've had it for 3 years now I think. I try to have it serviced annually, and it costs me about $59, though I think my local Joann's charges more to service them. I have not had any issues with mine that were not user error. Being electronic, many of the settings are automatic, including the foot, which takes some getting used to. I go back and forth between that and my featherweight, so I'm always reaching for the presser foot lever that isn't there! LOL It's great for quilting. It does not usually come with the quilting feet, except for the small flat darning foot. I didn't like that one. The walking foot with the interchangeable feet is great and worth the extra money. I also got the snap on stitch in the ditch foot. Love it! For FMQ, I like the spring foot best, also extra but she thru that in for free when I bought mine. If you can take some classes to help you learn about the machine, that would be good. My dealer offers free unlimited assistance with mine, but I've only been in a few times. The extra throat space is great. The largest I've quilted on mine so far is about 60x80. I could easily do a queen, I just haven't gotten my quilt done yet. The price is good. I don't think I've ever seen one less than $899. That's what I paid for mine also. They tend to get marked down when the new models come out. I haven't been to Viking's website, so I don't know if there are new ones on the horizon. I love my Viking. I bought it to replace my old one that died after 16+ years.

annie123

I have an 830 Sapphire that I bought used last fall specifically for FMQ because of the larger throat size. On the one hand it is clearly a well built, solid machine that makes a beautiful stitch. I personally had never sewn on a Viking before and found I just could not like the foot which raises automatically and is quite different from any other brand I have had. Also I have no Viking dealer even close to where I live and any additional feet such as 1/4 inch or walking foot seem to be very expensive. It seems to be a very nice machine overall, but I would suggest you try it out first to see how it feels to you and then find out what comes with it and how easy it would be to get parts and service. It is big and heavy so would maybe not be the best for taking places. This is just my experience, I know there are many diehard Viking fans.

romanojg

I don't have those Vikings but have 3 others, the Mega quilter, Viking #1, the Ruby. They are all great machines and built to last. There are a few reasons to buy from a dealer/LQS if you can; normally they have free financing, free classes and you get great support so that when one of those crazy things happens you can call someone who knows what is going on and get an answer or someone to help trouble shoot the problems. You can't go wrong with a Viking. My Ruby isn't that old but It's made just as well as the Viking #1 that was built in 1994; it's heavy so I don't take it to class unless it's learning to do more with that machine and not regualar classes. Good luck.

HollyDav

I have the Sapphire 835 and love it. I love the extra space for quilting. Just finished a twin size. I splurged and bought myself the new walking foot with interchangeable feet, it's pretty awesome. Now I am working through making drapes. I love my Viking!

Rose Marie

I have the 830 that I bought new about 5 yrs ago. It was $1100.
It is great and I love the auto foot. No lever or knee use just push the petal and it auto lowers the foot. When in needle down it will auto raise the foot just enough for easy turning your fabric or chain pieceing.
The fancy stitchs I still havent figured out how to set them up, too complicated.
I bought extra feet like 1/4 in but do not use them now. You have a setting for 1/4 in but it is too big so I still have to adjust the needle a little.
No repairs but do have it serviced about once a yr.
It measures 10 inchs for throat space and that is really nice.
My only complaint is the head is so low where the needle is that it is hard to fit your hand in there to do anything.
I had to buy an extra large table for it to sit flush with the table top as it is a big machine. The Bertha was the cheapest and has a nice large area for quilting. It is 7 feet long and has a drop down extension on the back. Takes up alot of room but holds the quilt up nicely.

calla

I have 2 Vikings the Designer 1, and the SE.........am lucky to have them. I am wondering if the machine you looked at was a trade in?? Or a re-pack one used at a quilt show and than sold for a reduced price with warrenty. ??? When I purchased my Designer 1 I, used the free financing for a year and than moved the remainder of the balance to a low interest CC...............I also have a Bernina 230 for my sewing not ME and I do like that too..........as I felt I was using my emb. machines too much for other stuff and everything has only so many miles it can travel...........I have to talk to my DH in car terms...............later..........calla