Husqvarna Viking 870Q Advice

by Elsa
(ON)

I am writing after reading about a problem Christine was having with her Husqvarna Sapphire 870: nesting of thread underneath.

This is a problem any machine can have, if the right foot is not used for what they are doing. Most machines have only a string-action foot option for quilting/stippling. It works well, although tension adjustments can and sometimes must be made.

I always feel sorry for people who get something new and more techy than what they had (car, dvd, microwave) and who aren't given a good lesson right-away on how to run it. You need to get comfortable with all the new control options, some of which are necessary to get the results you are expecting.

I teach a full day class for all makes, ages, types of machines, to allow people to understand both the simplicity and the complexity of tension for all the aspects of quilting. Variables of techniques,fabric, batting, and thread can give an unsuspecting quilter nightmares.

But when you understand how a stitch is made (same way on all machines!!), it's like knowing how water boils, and what it can do for you. I can't do that class here, but I do have some more tips for all and for owners of a machine with an "automatic sensor system".

On any machine, if you have little loops on the bottom, you have two easy options: either use a bigger needle if the thread has trouble getting back up in time, or increase the top tension to help it pull the bobbin thread up into the fabric.
Either way, you can get excellent results on any machine with these tips.

On all machines with auto anything, you need to know what the defaults are for, and set up as instructed. You can change anything, but when sewers have designed a machine, they have asked for specifics.

The R foot alone will give horrible results, unless the machine has the commands, and important stuff like the right needle for the project (machines cannot see, only feel your project, and responds, somtimes with yuck)

The R foot on the Sapphire is only for floating free-motion, which is primarily for decorative work, not quilting as in stippling. When you ask the Sapphire 870Q machine to set up for free motion, you have two choices in the configure tool (scroll down to the bottom): floating or spring action.

Of course, you need the spring action foot for the latter. That setup also sets your tension higher/normal for a balanced stitch, which you want for stippling and such.

Use your R foot for situations where you are doing decorative work that uses many colours of top thread. You can use the single colour of bobbin thread, because the tension is released / lowered, and the bobbin thread is not pulled up.

You can tweak the tension (first on the list in configure), depending on your batting. Poly is most difficult to use, as the thread has a harder time getting back up, the poly is so "sticky". The spring foot will compress it better.

Use the sewing advisor on your 870Q set to heavy when using a 14/90 quilting needle for quilting through thick batting, but set for medium when piecing with an 12/80 quilting neelde (sharp), or for a sandwich with fine natural batting.

The Sapphire 870Q has proven to be fabulous for quilters, but because it is so much more than a straight and basic stitch machine, someone new to the possibilities may be overwhelmed by choices to make and proper setup for any one choice. Always take the free classes offered, they are so helpful to understanding the new tool for creativity you own.

There is soooo much to enjoy about the 870Q, I hope you can find good lessons to get the most out of your husband's gift, Christine! The mock hand quilt stitch and programming variations of it, decorative stitches, heirloom wing needle work, so many possibilities!

Hope this helps!