Viking Sapphire 830

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Viking Sapphire 830

I am really struggling with free motion quilting on the Viking Sapphire 830 model. Looking to see if it is me or them.

I just had the machine serviced a month ago and it works fine until I try free motion. When I change directions, either I lose tension or the thread breaks.

I am using 2 ply cotton in both top and bottom, good quality thread.

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Viking Sapphire 830

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Oct 12, 2008
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Viking Sapphire 830
by: MIckey Pope

I had a terrible time with the Sapphire 830 I bought it new January 2008. Anytiem i took it out of regular sewing. it took days to get the tension back again. This new machine was in the shop severasl times, It also sounded like a chain saw. Finally i gave up and upgraded to the 850 it is still louder than other machines but functions well and tension going back and fro does not seem to be a problem. What i have learnt about these machines is that you must make sure that you set the machien to the appropiate sewing type you are doing so that the machine can adjust to that feature or the sensor pressure foot system will not give you the right tension. Biggest thing i would reccommed is make sure you get the distribiter to give you a through teaching. Good Luck

Apr 14, 2009
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saphire 830
by: Anonymous

I absolutely hate my saphire 830. I will not buy another viking. I have a 1+ and I loved it. Bought it about 12 years ago. That is why I thought I would like the 830. Wrong! It is sitting in the cardboard box it came in. Wishing it was back at the dealer where I bought it.

Apr 23, 2009
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Sapphire 830
by: Anonymous

I've owned this machine for about 4 months and my feeling is "so far so good." I've recently been tutoring on the free motion quilting function and discovered that it's important you have selected the right function in the SET menu and find the right combination of speed and fabric movement for even stitching. I'm not ready to go to town on a quilt yet but can tell I'm improving with practice. So far I'm happy with the 830.

Apr 26, 2009
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Sapphire 830 - free motion
by: Anonymous

I have had the Sapphire 830 machine for over a year now and have used the free motion quilting before; however, this time, it constantly breaks the needle! I have cleaned it out underneath and to no avail. I have better luck with the free motion presser feet than the spring motion - I gave up on the spring as the tension is loose. I am going to take the machine back into the store; however, at this point, I am wondering why I bought the machine - I love the open space for quilting but otherwise for free motion it stinks. Any suggestions?? Would greatly appreciate any help.

May 25, 2009
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sorry I have a Sapphire
by: Anonymous

I bought the Sapphire in October, 2008 and have had nothing but problems with it. It has been in the repapir shop 5 times because the thread keeps coming off the uptake lever. I am not touching the wheel, this happens while I am sewing, in the middle of something or when piecing, whenever it feels like messing up. I am ready to get my money back and keep using my Rose that I have had for about 6 years. I never have trouble with it.

Jul 24, 2009
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Viking Sapphire 830 - Lovely machine
by: Judy

I admit that I've only had my Viking Sapphire 830 sewing machine for 7 days but I LOVE it! It stitches like a dream and the free motion quilting is so smooth.

One of the many many features that I especially like is the foot raises slightly, with the needle down. This is great when I'm appliqueing or doing chain sewing between quilting pieces.

And buttonholes! I hated doing buttonholes. Not any more! One step, major easy. After all the negative reviews on this forum, I almost didn't buy this machine but I did more searching and found many positive reviews.

After speaking with the local dealer, I tried out the machine. I really put it through it's paces the past seven days and can't say enough good about it. The class I took to learn how to use it was invaluable.

I only have a couple complaints, if you want to call them that. I had no warning that the standard, included foot was not a 1/4" seam allowance. (I figured this out after piecing together a bunch of quilt squares and finding they didn't measure right). There is a machine setting to move the foot to 1/4" or you can buy an additional 1/4" foot. It really should have been included as standard equipment. I'm not crazy about the owners manual.

That's about it.

Hopefully, I won't be back on this forum in 6 months with a retraction! But our local dealer has a fabulous reputation so I'm not too worried.

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Jul 24, 2009
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Submitted by: Judy

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I admit that I've only had my Viking Sapphire 830 sewing machine for 7 days but I LOVE it! It stitches like a dream and the free motion quilting is so smooth. One of the many many features that I especially like is the foot raises slightly, with the needle down. This is great when I'm appliqueing or doing chain sewing between quilting pieces. And buttonholes! I hated doing buttonholes. Not any more! One step, major easy. After all the negative reviews on this forum, I almost didn't buy this machine but I did more searching and found many positive reviews. After speaking with the local dealer, I tried out the machine. I really put it through it's paces the past seven days and can't say enough good about it. The class I took to learn how to use it was invaluable. I only have a couple complaints, if you want to call them that. I had no warning that the standard, included foot was not a 1/4" seam allowance. (I figured this out after piecing together a bunch of quilt squares and finding they didn't measure right). There is a machine setting to move the foot to 1/4" or you can buy an additional 1/4" foot. It really should have been included as standard equipment. I'm not crazy about the owners manual. That's about it. Hopefully, I won't be back on this forum in 6 months with a retraction! But our local dealer has a fabulous reputation so I'm not too worried.

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Aug 01, 2009
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The Sapphire 830 takes time to master
by: Anonymous

Here goes. I bought the Sapphire 830 when I was visiting my old home town quilt shop. I fell in love when I first saw it.

I brought it back to CA where we now live and so was basically left alone with it! That was a problem. This was my third Viking machine (bought them because that is what my home town shop sold) as I was upgrading to get to something I would keep for a very long time. So I was pretty confident that I would be OK.

The Sapphire 830 and I had a very rocky relationship for a year or so and no one really cared in CA because I had no relationship with them. My old dealer could only walk me thru things on the phone and that wasn't enough. I talked to everyone at every shop and show I could find in CA. Finally, I took it to a shop an hour away and someone sat down with me for an hour and we worked thru my problems. Now I am fine.

BUT it was a huge process and I agree with the reviewer that the new machines take a big learning curve but the results are worth it. Now I can quilt and free motion with confidence. I can't tell you how many times I wanted to give up and trade the 830 in but I am very glad I didn't.

My problems were mostly operator error and all solved by talking to better quilters than me and knowledgeable shop people.

Aug 03, 2009
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I hate this Machine
by: Janie

I have been sewing for 45 years. I had my sapphire 830 replaced once. the tension chanfes every time you have to rewind the bobbin. I was trying to make a decorative design on the dege of napkins and the bottom stitch was never the same as the top. the needle threader is useless , bends on won't work after a few uses. tonight I was trying to use a simple zig zag stitch and it would work for a few inches then the bottom thread would be a tangled mess. I hate this machine...............