husqvarna viking topaz 30

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husqvarna viking topaz 30

by Mary
(Essex, UK)

I bought a Husqvarna Viking Topaz 30 in February 2009. I am very disappointed with it. I have found this this model to be absolutely awful. I totally regret buying it.

The choice of stitches in the sewing mode is limited and the quality of the stitching is poor. The quality of stitching in the embroidery mode is also dreadful. The threads clog up underneath no matter what I use for the bobbin thread. The embroidery unit is very sluggish, slow and clunky in its movement.

The dealer is not helpful. She saw that the stitches were not right and that the unit was slow, but fobbed me off. I was so frustrated with it, I took it back to the shop, but very little satisfaction.

The software is very difficult to work out. It is only possible to understand if you are already proficient in IT skills and it is very easy to unintentionally delete the My Designs folder within 4D organizer and so many collected designs are lost. The advice at the end of the email is also not helpful as I have found. The so-called adviser says she doesn't understand the problems I'm having and she is supposed to be an expert.

I feel so stupid and naive to have thought that I was buying a good make of machine. The dealer said that I couldn't expect too much as I had only spent £1699, not £6000. Well, £1699 is a lot of money for me.

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husqvarna viking topaz 30

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Jul 07, 2009
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Newer Vikings
by: Lynn Cranmer

I have always been a Viking gal, BUT the newer ones are not like the older models. I think Viking should be aware that there are many disappointed people out there. There service is almost invisible!

I have several old ones which are incredible! Lynn Cranmer

Aug 26, 2009
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Thankyou for your review.
by: Anonymous

So sorry to hear of your problems with the Topaz 30 and many thanks for sharing your views. You have just prevented me making the same mistake because I was going to buy one.

Sep 09, 2009
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I like my topaz 30
by: Roberta

I purchased a Topaz 30 in May 2009. I had a #1+ for 13 years. Went for a repair and seen the Topaz 30. I have had no problems in fact the improvements are wonderful. The designs stitch out great and I am very happy. I love the fact that I will be able to up grade and correct any problems that come along with my USB that came with it and my computer. The hardest part was learning no foot lever.

Oct 13, 2009
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Should I go for the Viking Topaz?
by: Amanda

Looking to upgrade my Rose which I've had for 10 years or so. I've been really happy with it but am now looking to broaden my horizons and hoping also that it will be easier to operate embroidery/computer designing.

Unfortunately, because of the nature of my job at the time I was unable to take advantage of the free lessons offered. As a result I still find it difficult to design and download the designs on the card reader so much so I've more or less given up on it.

The Viking Topaz looks as though it will be easier to operate in this regard especially that I am more computer literate than I was way back then. Any feedback would be useful before I commit myself!!!! Look forward to hearing from you, Amanda.

Nov 05, 2009
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I hate this machine and I have had it 4 days!
by: Anonymous

This machine has given me nothing but trouble. I have been in constant contact with the dealer since I bought it 4 days ago, and though they have been very helpful, this machine is a piece of junk. A very expensive piece of junk. I spent $3,700 on this and did the payment plan that the Viking dealer offered, thinking it was a lot of money but would be a fantastic investment for my new sewing business. Wrongo. It thinks it is so smart, that the "exclusive sensor system" is on a hair trigger. After four days of sewing and numerous other headaches, it now will not sew more than three stitches at a time without telling me that the thread is broken. It is not. In order to get anything sewn, I have to keep one hand on the garment, and the other on the "OK" button so that I can make it down my seam. This is very time consuming and irritating. Especially for a machine that I was so excited for. I am thoroughly let down. I should never have bought it. Please don't make the same mistake I did.

Jan 02, 2010
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I love my Topaz 30
by: Mary

I've had my Topaz 30 for over a year now and love it. I have not had any problems and have had fun using it. I like all the features and it was a good up grade from my "noncomputerized" sewing machine. I was worried about spending so much money but now after a year I am glad I got this machine, it's a real work horse.

I would recomend it to others.

Jan 03, 2010
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Love my Topaz 30
by: nypal

I have had my Topaz 30 for over a year and absolutely love it. Initially I did have some issues with the embroidery function. However, I went back to my dealer and together we did find a few errors that I was making. Since it has been a dream machine for me. I have pieced quilts, quilted (the largest being an extra long twin), home decor sewing (curtains) and embroidered. It was well worth the $$ spent on it.

Jan 04, 2010
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Love the sewing features
by: Deanna

I have had my Topaz 30 a little over a year and the more I learn about it the more I love to sew on it. My favorite features are: no presser foot lever (yes, it took a while), fix, snip, needle threader. There have been moments when I have cursed it and myself for investing so much, but we've worked out our differences. Haven't done much with embroidery, but downloading designs and saving them to the USB stick has been simple. Lots to learn, including patience.

Jan 12, 2010
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This machine is seldom home
by: Anonymous

I have had constant trouble since purchasing this machine a little over one year ago. Big thread nests constantly form under the embroidery in the bobbin area. I have broken the hoops twice now trying to engage the "safety clamp". I don't know why these machines cannot be sent back to the factory if they are defective. The time before I took it in, it came back with just the tension adjusted upwards, so I immediately returned it. This time, it is running faster than I have ever seen a machine operate and I have had a few. Like so many others, this never happens to the dealer, who can seemingly make it work while standing on her head with one arm behind her back, or so it seems.

Feb 11, 2010
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I'm not alone, then...
by: Anonymous

I'm disappointed to see so many reviews that outline all the same problems I'm having. I was hoping that my issues were unique and that the machine just had some part that needed repairing, but it looks like my problems with the embroidery software and the machine itself are more universal than I would have thought. I've had the additional difficulties with the software changing designs, overstriking itself and moving portions of the embroidery around after it's been completed and sent. The thread bunching under the plate is a common ailment for me as well, and it always happens after the design is nearly complete. I'm off to the sewing machine shop (again) with my machine, embroidery unit and laptop, to see if this is a fixable issue, or if I just have to bite the bullet and trade it in along with a hefty sum of cash for something that works.

Feb 12, 2010
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I love my Topaz 30
by: Anonymous

I absolutely love this machine! It's smooth and stitches beautifully in both embroidery and sewing mode. I've been doing machine embroidery for a while now and have learned a few tricks like using thread nets to help the thread stay taught as it comes off the spool. Often when you get bunching underneath your embroidery it's because the top thread is not threaded right. Sometimes it jumps off the uptake lever, especially when the spools get low and kinkier like at the end of the design. I've also learned to slow the machine down for certain kinds of stitches and for specialty threads like metalics. My suggestion for newbies is to be patient during the learning curve and follow your manual to the letter. Good needles and thread and the right stabilizer for the fabric helps too.

Feb 23, 2010
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A VERY HOT EMBROIDERY CLASS
by: Anonymous

I bought this machine 2/09, have had problems with thread nesting while in embroidery mode. The thread jumps out of the tension guide.

Tonight I was at an embroidery class at a Viking dealer and while sewing out a design the machine accerlated and the needle was going up and down in one spot, the hoop carriage stopped moving and the only way we could turn it off was by pulling the power cord. The machine started smoking and had a terrible burning smell. I'm glad it happened at the class and not at home because I might have walked away from the machine while it was sewing the design and had a possible fire. I left the machine at the dealer and they will have someone look at it.

Mar 17, 2010
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Disappointment
by: Pat

I have the topaz 30 also. I love the way it sews have been sewing for 40 years was excited to finally get a machine that also embroiders. Well that is a big joke it sews beautiful but is hard to deal with when you are embroidering. I have not completed a single design without problems yet. I have had it it the shop twice picked it up today after they had it three weeks tested it and same old problem.You pay extra for the topaz 30 over the topaz 20 to getting the jump stitch and the cutting device with the jump stitch. This is a luxury that you pay for that does not work, Good luck to any one who buys this machine.

Mar 20, 2010
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Topaz 30
by: Jude

I have had a Rose, D1 and Topaz 30. The latter for 9months and have done machine embroidery for 14 years. In regard to the Topaz I started off with the problems other viewers have mentioned. However, I have persistently gone back to the seller/serviceman who has made adjustments to address stitch quality.
It's pluses for me remain stitch trim, embroidery size, the freedom to sew small embroideries in larger hoops without having to save to specific hoop. As regards size of embroidery, I am only missing the Majestic hoop. The Topaz has been my embroidery workhorse.
Its minuses are the noise, the absence of a computer, and the quality of the design depicted on the screen, the inability to go back to a specific spot if there is an error occurs. But this is where experience kicks in.
The D1 has finesse and I use it as my main sewing machine. The Topaz is my embroidery machine supported by a laptop as its brain.

Apr 02, 2010
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Husqvarna Viking Designer Topaz 30
by: Mary Ellen

My husband bought me the Designer Topaz 30 for my birthday back in November of 2008. Right now it's sitting on my sewing table like an extremely expensive ornament because I can't get it to work correctly.

I'm having the SAME problem as Karen is and I can't seem to fix it. Every time I call the dealer, their phone is either busy, or my call is sent to their answering machine.

Lucky for me, I also have the Rose and that's the machine I am using now. It's so very frustrating to have a beautiful sewing machine that I can't use!

Apr 19, 2010
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Love my Topaz
by: Lindsay

I got my Topaz 30 from a dealer in Florida and I absolutely love it. I will warn you that it can be buggy (but honestly, I spent a lot of time at a Viking Show Room and the Platinum's were awful for the money), but nothing that is not either easily solved or fixed.

The bird's nesting under the plate is an issue I cannot say I've had knock on wood, but the broken thread and remove thread from under the thread plate glitch was something that drove me up a wall. My boyfriend is very machine savvy and opened it up. Well, the inside of the machine is wired very strangely and that particular sensor is wired from around the back into the under part of the thread plate. The part of it that goes over the back of the thread plate into the mechanism is a sharp corner and it causes that sensor to short circuit. This is something that took him about 5 minutes to repair. I wouldn't recommend opening up your machines (it's a huge process), BUT if you took it to a repair shop and told them that yo KNEW what the problem was and you would watch them understand as well it might save you $100.

Other than that the machine sews brilliantly and was a major improvement from my last machine. I really love the USB since some systems force you to have the computer on and near the machine while embroidering which is a pain. I hope this helps some of you.

Apr 25, 2010
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Husqvarna Topaz 30
by: Laura

I purchased a Viking Topaz 30 in November of 2008. It's my first embroidery machine and I've had a great time with it. I had the birdnesting once and appreciate Lindsay's comments of April 19. I'll keep that in mind if I ever have to take my machine to be repaired for that problem. I also appreciate all the other comments.

One problem I had with the machine while enbroidering was the thread was constantly breaking. One of my dearest friends who worked in one of the Viking Sewing Centers in JoAnn's came one day and gave me some wonderful pointers. I was threading the machine incorrectly and wasn't being careful enough to make sure that the thread went up and around and down to the guide just above the needle. She also pointed out to me that I needed to make sure the bobbin thread clicked into the guide properly before bringing the thread to the right and then cutting it. Since I've followed her advice, I've had no more problems.

I love my machine and hope to use it for many years to come.

Jun 21, 2010
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Topaz thread nesting
by: Anonymous

Thread nesting under your fabric occurs when your thread is not in the take up lever. Try running your thread from the back of the machine, I put mine in a coffee cup behind the machine. This way it is running from the top of the machine, or buy the thread rack. Many of these rayon threads are wound so tight they twist and curl before getting into the tension disks. Hope this helps

Jul 27, 2010
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I hate my Topaz...
by: K.Rose

I am so frustrated with my Topaz. I continually had problems with the thread nesting when doing quilt piecing. I spent more time ripping out the stitching then sewing!:{ I turned it in for repair at no charge to me. I used the machine 3 days after getting it back from repair to have it overheat 3 time while stitching in the ditch on a 40 inch section. I have requested to return it to the dealer but they are telling me that I need to upgrade for my quilting needs...I don't think so!

Aug 14, 2010
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Very Disappointed
by: Anonymous

I bought my Viking Topaz 30 in March of 2010. I have had the machine for a total of maybe 2 months since and it is August. The machine has been sent off twice to be fixed but is still doing the same thing. It continues to bird nest on top of my design and underneath the design. When I talked to the dealer she acts like she has no idea why it would be doing this. The first time she sent it off they had it for 2 and a half months. The next time it took a month and a half. Before I bought the Viking, I had a Brother and I never had the problems with it that I do this machine. I will NEVER by a Viking Embroidery Machine AGAIN!!!

Aug 15, 2010
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I love Viking sewing machines
by: Anonymous

I have owned the Rose, a Quilt Designer, Designer 1 and now have the Quilt Designer and the SE Limited. I find that most problems are operator error. I returned my first D1 but now after ten years realize it was me. I wouldn't own anything but a Viking. I am guilty of complaining and being frustrated, but as I said, most of that was my own fault. There are bad machines but for the most part they are great machines.

Sep 02, 2010
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Husqvarna Viking Topaz 30
by: Mrs Shama Ashfaq Momin

i have bought a Husqvarna Viking Topaz 30 in February 2010 I am very disappointed with it. I have found this this model to be absolutely awful. I totally regret buying it.

The choice of stitches in the sewing mode is limited and the quality of the stitching is poor. The quality of stitching in the embroidery mode is also dreadful. The threads clog up underneath no matter what I use for the bobbin thread. The embroidery unit is very sluggish, slow and clunky in its movement.

Sep 11, 2010
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Viking Topaz 30
by: Sharon

I would like to know if there are any help sights? I need help with the embroidery. I put the attachment on, I hoop the cloth, but cant get the hoop to move over under the needle.

I have used another embroidery machine before this one, but it doesn't seem to be too intuitive.

Sep 20, 2010
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topaz 30
by: Anonymous

I am new at sewing and emboridering. If anyone wants to sell ther's i'd be willing to buy it. I just need something to start out with before I buy something nice. you can email me at dndodd21@tntech.edu.

Oct 23, 2010
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i have lost faith in viking
by: anonymous

i had a designer 1 that was buggy and constantly breaking. I finally went over my dealer's head to the corporate office and after 6 months of back and forth emails and phone calls, i finally got a lawyer involved. they then said they would replace the machine. I was working on a bridal party's gowns, and said it would have to wait a month or two. I then called to let them know i would be sending it in, and to give me the return address authorization to ship it to their warehouse. not only did they deny they could do it, but had NO record of my over 6 months of conversations with them. Luckily, i have gmail, which stores everything and i sent it to them showing in plain words they agreed to replace it. Three months later of back and forth with them again (turns out viking in the USA was sold to SINGER. so now it is managed by NON VIKING staff).

finally got my machine to them, and they told me they no longer had Designer 1's and that i would be getting a Topaz 30. Which was about $2,000 less than what i paid in the first place. I was told it was the only option, and now that they had my designer 1, i had no recourse. take the Topaz 30 or nothing.

I got the topaz, and here's the start of a whole new problem. The thread constantly comes out of the upper hook/loop just above the needle. it pulls too much thread off of the spool, making a large loop, that it then doesn't catch on the way back down. this causes a HUGE birds nest underneath the seam being sewn, and isn't discovered until it either makes a horrible clunking and freezes (screen says 'main motor overloaded') or i take it off the machine and find about 50 yards of thread wadded up beneath.

I have had the topaz over a year, and have found few redeeming qualities. Thread cutter constantly jams and doesn't cut, or worse, pulls the fabric being sewn into the bobbin case and cuts IT instead. I have ruined beautiful silk gowns on this machine and am beyond frustrated with it.

better yet, my local repair office finally stopped servicing/selling vikings or being a viking rep because they have far too many irate customers threatening lawsuits over the machines and their inability to repair them.

as for embroidery, it didn't work from the beginning, so i don't really use it anymore, and now i realize i am using a $2000 machine to do what a $90 machine would do better.

I didn't even pay for the topaz and i still wouldn't want it. I was viking loyal for many years (sergers and sewing machines) and now i will never buy another. better yet, i have reopened my lawsuit since they replaced my defective machine with a lower-end and poor quality replacement.

when you buy a machine, no matter how wonderful, it WILL break, and that's expected. The difference of company/manufacturer is in how it deals with the problems and repairs, Viking is more about being pushy sellers and trying to get you to buy the highest end of their shoddy products.

Dec 31, 2010
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Thread Nests
by: Maggie

Thread nests can be avoided by using the right needle with the right thread and threaded properly.
I've had my 30 for a year and have never had a thread nest. Thread nests usually occur when the machine is not threaded properly. Also, updates need to be done as they come out. It is a learning curve. I found this machine harder to learn than my Creative Vision. But, the 30 goes everywhere with me. I'm very glad I have it.

Jan 10, 2011
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TOPAZ 20 FAN
by: Cindy King

I have a Topaz 20, and I love love love it. I have had some issue, but find that there are generally simple solutions....wrong backing, worn needle (over 8 hours), bobbin in wrong, and making sure the netting is on the spools. I would get so frustrated. But, my dealer, Viking Sewing Center in Fort Wayne Indiana, has the most helpful people. If one of them is not sure of the solution, they check with each other, or call Viking. I have also contacted Viking with questions, and have had prompt responses.

I started with the Singer Futura 150, which I liked, but it limited me. Topaz has opened embroidery to another level. I use my machine almost daily. Did I mention I love it?

Jan 19, 2011
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Worthless without expensive software
by: Jenni

I think I am going to return this as it is absolutely worthless without the software which is super expensive and which I thought came with this machine. I can't even sew a person's name well after spending $3,500!!!!

Jan 27, 2011
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What an excellent machine
by: amazed sewer

This machine is one of the best products Viking has produced in a long time, it is a very good price point I looked long and hard at all the options from janome Bernina and brother and bought the Topaz 30! I followed up with the free lessons on the operation of the machine, and they even fine tuned the machine at no cost after 3 months for me! I am now attending the software classes for the PRO software I have on laybuy and the new version 5 is so powerful I was amazed at just what it could do with a little effort. My local dealer has just been fantastic!

Feb 04, 2011
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So, so gutted with the Topaz 30
by: Wendy, Wiltshire

i am gutted after spending so much money. Having previously owned Husqvarna machines I thought I was in for a real treat - but its a nightmare, noisy, makes huge birdsnests of thread, and after over a year, I still cannot embroider a sentence without the machine eating the material. An utter waste of money - I will never buy Husqvarna again.

Feb 27, 2011
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my topaz 30
by: Anonymous

I have the topaz 30 I got it for my birthday in 2009 the first one I had was bad it kept shutting down on me so we took it to the place we bought it. They said the transformer went out so they were going to order us a new part they had my machine in the shop longer than I had it we bought ours in winona minn my husband kept calling them because it was months and we didnt hear from them. He finally told him either he gives us a new machine or he was calling the company that set a fire under the deal. we had a new one waiting for us at the store. When we went to pick it up the lady was being rather rude to another custmer who had bought a machine that was 800.00 dollars she told her that she couldnt expect her machine to be that good cause she only paid 800.00 for it I bit my tougue but I wanted to tell her that we paid 3500.00 andhad the same outcome. But this machine has been alot better I was supose to go back for classes on the embroidery part of it but I didnt care for the attitude of the person teaching the class so my husband and I figured it out on our own.

Mar 01, 2011
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LOVE my Topaz 30!
by: Mary G in South Australia

I've always been a Husky lover, but had to get something cheaper for my last machine and went to Janome. I regretted that for the 10 years I had it, and have now upgraded back to Husqvarna, to a Topaz 30, and I couldn't be happier. SO easy to use, SO quiet, quick and responsive, and being able to use both feet on the control is awesome. My back doesn't hurt at all now, and that's to do with using both feet. Love the embroidery, but it did take a bit of a quantum shift in thinking to realise that all the preparation is done on my laptop rather than the machine itself. Once I got that into my thick scone, I was away...!

My dealer (who I reckon is the dealer from heaven, I've been with him for about 18 years and he can never, ever retire!) has been wonderful and patient explaining all the new features to me. He did tell me about the faults that were in the older models, but told me they've been rectified now. (I told him about comments from this site.)

All in all, a VERY happy customer.

Apr 20, 2011
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husquvarna 20
by: Anonymous

I bought a husquvarna 20 and I am not as happy with it as I was with my Rose. The embroidery hoop 120x120 broke when I took it out of the machine. No warrenty which I think is terrible. Not as happy as I thought I would be.

Apr 20, 2011
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Upgraded to 5D
by: Mary G in South Australia

As an added comment to my one above, I have now upgraded to the 5D system and am even more delighted. I too am taking advantage of the free lessons and have been delighted with the support and helpfulness of my dealer and his team.

Go Husky! I luv ya!

Jul 29, 2011
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not happy
by: SY

i bought a Husqvarna Topaz 30 in January 2009 and although i have had many e-mails with the company, i still cannot use this machine. I keep getting the same answer that i dont need the dongle for this or that, but i paid good $$ for the 4D Professional program to go with the machine which has proven to be a complete waste of $$$.

they cannot explain to me why i am having so much trouble. I am proficient with computers, but you need a degree in computer programing to do this stuff. it should not be so difficult. i have read the books front to back and followed the instructions book step by step.

I wish I had never purchased this machine and programming. it has brought me to tears. I can't use it. This was a luxury for me to spend that kind of $$ on a machine in the first place. The people at Husqvarna act as if I am stupid for not being able to figure it out.

Nov 17, 2011
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I am glad I don't own this machine NEW
by: Anonymous

My primarily problem with the Topaz 30 was the area for sewing was sew small. It was like sewing on a free-arm size area all the time. I think it was made to embroider and sewing was secondary. I didn't buy one. I was given one as a loaner when my Designer SE LE was being repaired. I did nothing but complain to the dealer the entire time I had it.

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