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Viking machines

legalsew | Posted in Equipment and Supplies on

I am new to this site. I have not sewn in a very long time (20 years plus). In any event, I am looking for advice. I am looking at buying the Viking Sapphire 850 and the Huskylock 936. Are these machines good and dependable, considering their respective costs?

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  1. User avater
    blingy | | #1

    I bought the Sapphire 850 in April and I just love it!  I had the Scandinavia 200 for a little over a year and I liked it, I thought it was a sturdy little thing but boy oh boy, do I love the Sapphire!  I thought I would only be getting a few more stitches and of course the automatic buttonhole foot thingee ( the main reason I bought it was for the buttonhole foot ) and it's hard to say why I like it so much more but I do.  My opinion?  If you can swing it...go for it!  As for the serger, I was laid off in March but as soon as I find another job the Huskylock 936 is mine!  I have never used a serger but I have seen some demos and this one has it all.  Don't be afraid to go back to the Viking dealer a few times and ask to use their display models.  Bring some fabric of your own, if you have some that you sew a lot of and really put the machines and the staff through their paces.  Good Luck.

    1. legalsew | | #4

      Thanks for the advice. I decided to but the 830, due to the fact that is was a little cheaper and I do not need the extra lettering. Hopefully it will be as good as the 850.Thanks.

  2. MaryinColorado | | #2

    I love my Viking Huskylock 936!!!  It is the best sewing investment I have ever made.  I recommend that you buy the larger manual with the 3 ring binder that folds open, it has in depth instructions for everything this machine can do.  (Explains how to do inside and outside curves, etc)  It is like having a serger instructor with you at home.   You can also look under "accessories" at the Viking website and print out instructions if you buy extra feet, etc. 

    I've had my 936 for many years, never had a problem with it!  It does beautiful seams, from heirloom sewing to heavy denim.  It is fun to use heavy decorative threads in the loopers for that art to wear look.  I love using Sulky Rayon embroidery thread for a beautiful 2 or 3 thread rolled hem.  I love the coverstitch's. 

    I did alot of research and testdriving before buying.  I would buy the same one today if I was choosing a serger.  Hope this helps.  Mary

    1. legalsew | | #3

      Thank you for the advice. I will buy the guide. I purchased the Sapphire 530 and Huskylock 936 today. (Free financing for 24 months which I had to take advantage of). I just took the serger out of the box and am intimidated, as I have never used a serger before, and anticipate a serious learning curve to take place. However, it should be worth it, as I personally believe the stitching sergers do make or break the look of a project. Do you use yours for clothes, crafts or both? I almost bought the Viking Serger that was priced just below the 936 without the coverstitch. The local Janome dealer was telling me that having the cover stitch made a serger difficult to use, and difficult to change plates, etc. She had suggested that I but her machine $300.00++ that just did a cover stitch. Needless to say, I did not take her advice. Do you use the cover stitch a lot? I was told by the Viking rep that changing everything out took less than 2 minutes. True? Thanks.

      1. MaryinColorado | | #5

        Yes, I can do it in less than one minute and back again!  It took alot of practice, I am always afraid I will "break" a new machine.  Once I get comfortable with the "sounds" they are supposed to make, I really put them through thier paces.  The large owners manual really makes a difference.

        Lucky You!!! Two new machines, wow!  You are going to have so much fun!  I saw the Saphire, it looks like a great machine.  I love my 3 Vikings.

        I use the 936 for everything I can.  I love that you can actually make a complete garment with it if you want.  I use it more than my sewing/embroidery machines.  Yes I do both crafts and garments with it, even quilts.  Love art to wear.  http://www.kaylakennington.com has fun to make clothing with serged rolled edges and a sewn "joining" stitch for the seams. 

        What do you like to do?  Let me know if I can help in any way. 

        Something fun with the double or triple coversitch or chain stitch:  put your fabric right side down to "decorate it with embroidery or metallic thread".  This makes pretty cuffs, collars, etc. that co ordinate with the "plain" fabric well.  The looper stitches show instead of the topstitching look. 

        Books I like"  Serger Secrets by Rodale Press has lots of photos and garment info and ideas.  French Sewing by Serger by Kathy McMakin from http://www.marthapullen.com (She also has a book "Serging for Babies" that is great with patterns in it).  Quicksew and Stretch and Sew patterns have alot of serger patterns.  Sewing With Nancy on PBS or http://www.nancysnotions has books and videos, and patterns, http://www.lindaleeoriginals.com has lots of serger info and patterns for clothes and quilts,etc. ( There are two Linda Lee's that publish sewing info. that is very different, not related. )

        Yahoo has a Viking 936 user's group that might be helpful.  I think Martha Pullen might have a serger group too

        I hope you will love your Vikings as much as I do!  How fun to learn two new machines at the same time, and challenging!  Enjoy!  Mary

         

         

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