Hi all,
I do not have the sapphire but can give you a few suggestions on helping you with making life easier. I have had a Viking for 25 years. The first one was very basic, I sold it to a friend and it is still in good working order. I had the Designer 1, and just traded it in last year for a diamond.

I would suggest if you are doing piecing that you get the single hole plate, this will keep the fabric from being pulled into the bobbin area. Get the clear 1/4" foot, not the one with the metal guide, you keep your fabric guided along the outer edge of the foot. Sometimes if I want a wider seam I will take electrical tape, cut into the roll so I get about 1/8" thick piece of tape and use this as a guide. The tape does not leave any gummy mess. I use this to teach new women how to have a consistent seam allowance. Like most people have mentioned I love the needle down position. Once you get use to the buttons it will become second nature.

Where I live we have a wonderful repair person, when she goes to convention and learns new techniques on how to repair machines..a lot of the men do not always understand why you would need a certain feature..because they do not understand why you would want your machine to do this. She will explain the use of certain functions because she sews, embroiders, quilts, and repairs them. There is also a yahoo group called "Vikingdesignergems" there are many people there that can help you.

Enjoy your Viking.
Robin

Hi there, I always engage the 'needle down' function, then the pressure foot works wonderfully. It takes a while to get used to it, but its brilliant for satin stitching applique with lots of curves. Together with the automatic tensions and thread cutter.....bliss....

Yes me too love it, I treated myself to the Sapphire 875 Quilt , it arrived January 4th. I adjusted quickly to not having a lifting lever. The instruction manual is a bit basic but I just played with it daily and soon mastered all the stitches. I found the Free motion floating tricky until I used a low speed selection . I preferred the free motion spring action.
I too think it is better with needle down all the time. Trying hard to finish my quilt this year to use my new machine for quilting. I am normally a "hand quilter" so look forward to using my new machine for that.

I have had my Sapphire for about a year now and just love it. I got used to the pressure foot right away. I also use it more often in needle down and position the fabric where I want it to start and then go. I have nothing negative to say.

Well, I've decided to keep my Babylock, at least for the time being. I'm going to learn to work with it and make it work with me. I came across this saying:

"If you look at what you do not have in life, you don't have anything. If you look at what you HAVE in life, you have everything."

I am so grateful for my life, my family, friends and all of you. I don't need a new machine to be able to sew. I can sew on anything.

Have a great weekend,
eileenkn

Yes, I love my 870. I went to a workshop a few weeks ago and took my Janome. It was not a happy reunion. Straight sewing was OK, but I came home and ripped out all the machine quilting I'd done on the Janome and did it over with the Husqvarna. It's the only machine of the four I've owned that I've been truly comfortable machine quilting with.

I love the automatic presser foot and the precision of the machine. The novelty wavy quilting stitches are superb and it's the fastest machine I've ever owned.

But I will add a word of caution. The original 870 I got back in September was a lemon, and the dealer replaced it. There is a Yahoo Group dedicated to Viking Sapphires, called unsurprisingly, Viking Sapphire Owners, and I would recommend you join it and spend some time looking in their archives before you commit. Good machines are truly wonderful, but there are some not so good ones out there. People have had problems with tension, with feed dogs refusing to stay down (my major issue) and with general temperamental behaviour. Educated is forearmed and to be honest, as happy as I am with my machine, if I'd known all this beforehand I may have made a decision to get a different machine, even though I'd wanted one for so long. Happy to chat more about the specifics if you message me, as I don't want to be too negative on a public forum.

Just realized that my last post didn't really answer the basic question. I don't miss the pressure manual pressure foot lift at all. Took me all of 2 minutes to get used to it being automatic. As for precise placement, I just manually lower the needle exactly where I want the first stitch and go.....I love this machine.

My DH got me the Sapphire 870 for Christmas 2 years ago. I love it. My previous machine was a 35 year old Viking 6370 which you still can't pry out of my hands. It was solid, dependable and precise. But, I was also craving newer features like needle down, auto tension and the larger harp area . I looked at the other big three brands but the Sapphire had me sold. You will love the larger harp area and it FMQ like a dream. I still smile every time I sit down at that machine. In fact, I haven't been able to go into my sewing room for over 2 weeks because of preparing for Thanksgiving...I think I am going through withdrawls...I am beginning to twitch You know where I will be on Monday morning!

Della,
Have you gotten your Sapphire yet? Can you tell me more about it? I tried one at a local dealer and I already know I love it. Just have to sell the Quest. Don't get me wrong, it's a great machine but like I said in my previous post, we don't get along.

Recently, the same dealer that sold me the Quest told me he's discovered that Viking owners are fiercely loyal, more than some other brands. I guess I fall into that category and I shouldn't have strayed.

eileenkny

I'm thinking of trying to either trade in or sell my Babylock Quest for a Viking. I have the Freesia, which is several years old and I love it. But DH Mike has been using it and he loves it too!!

I just don't know what to do. The Quest is too heavy for me to take to classes or to my quilting group, and to be very honest, we just haven't bonded. I'd love a Pfaff because of the IDT feature so as to not have to use a walking foot.

I just don't like sewing anymore-not on the Quest.

eileenkny

Has it arrived yet, Della??

Lorchen

Thank you ladies. I thought you might like to know, I ordered one!

I have the Sapphire 850 and absolutely love it! I've had it 2 years now. I also have an older Viking and both machines have been great, maintenance free and durable.

I love all the features of the Sapphire and continue to discover new things all the time. It's a dream to quilt on it with such a big throat. I got risers for a table that I've placed to the left of the machine. I ordered the 24" x 24" plexiglass extension table from the Viking store and with the table next to it I have a wonderful large work area. It's wonderful having the extra light too. So easy to wind the bobbon, I could go on and on!!

Buy one! You'll love it!!! Nancy in Western NY

I have the Sapphire 870!! For me it is a dream to piece with. Just thinking about it makes me want to go SEW!!