If you have followed me at all, you know that I like sewing machines. Like, a LOT. I mean … I’ve had more sewing machines in the last ten or so years than my mother has had in more than 50 years. To say I’m addicted would be an understatement. As you can imagine, no one I know was surprised even a little bit when I brought home my new Viking Sapphire 930. Because, dude, it’s BLUE and it’s cute, and I’ve been eyeing the Sapphire line since it first came out. Oh, and that addiction thing. DH suggested a 12 step program, but nah … where’s the fun in that?!

As you may remember, I purchased a Pfaff Ambition 620, but I didn’t love it. I was barely in like with it, and as I said, I love sewing machines, so it had to go. Fortunately for me, the dealer where I purchased it allows trade ins, where they give you your full purchase price toward the MSRP of a new machine. Sounds like a good deal, right? Well, most of the time it isn’t. In fact, it’s sort of a scammy thing to do, because a lot of times, the trade in amount isn’t enough to compete with the “cash” price of the new machine. But see, I’m a smart girl, and I figured this out last time they took me, so when I went looking this time, I knew the scam and I chose a machine that didn’t have a big MSRP difference from my trade in machine.

I’m not smart enough to recognize a stupid dealer, but more on that later.

So I traded in the Ambition I bought for $1000 on the Sapphire that had an MSRP of about $1800. After tax, title, license, registration fees, and the extended warranty, I ended up paying about $1100 or so for the Sapphire. See, I told you, not stupid. Well, not super stupid, anyway. Because you know, this was back during the height of COVID-19 panic, and it was like, the ONLY Sapphire within a couple hundred miles, which means it was the demo machine. So maybe a little stupid because I took a demo machine for MSRP. But you have to understand, I was desperate to get rid of the Ambition, and I was quickly approaching that 1 year mark when I wouldn’t be able to get full purchase price on the trade. So, a case could be made for really stupid, I guess, but I digress.

So I bring the Sapphire home, set it up, and away we go. We did all sorts of things together. We made some shorts. We did some quilt piecing. We had joy, we had fun, we had a season in the sun. Because like most people last year, I was working at home, so I had lots of time to play with my new toy. And boy did I play! We did everything but take a swim or go to the beach. I hear that does bad things to electronics. Too bad, I think the Sapphire would be sexy in a Speedo …

I have to say that the Sapphire is one of the nicest machines I’ve ever sewn on. It has a nice stitch, and it’s sturdy – it doesn’t have that cheap feel that some of the low-mid range machines have. It’s nice. It makes a perfect 1/4″ seam, and I rarely have any trouble with it. I even tried free motion quilting on the Viking, and while I really and truly suck at free motion quilting, the Sapphire was a champ and did the best it could with the feeble movements I could provide. My kids gave me a walking foot, and I have to say, that’s where the Viking really shines. I used it to do my Dr Who TARDIS quilting, and it was fabulous. I loved it. BEAUTIFUL decorative stitches, too!

It has handled a wide range of fabrics with ease – quilting cottons, denim, chiffon, flannel … and it does it all beautifully. My favorite feature is the Sewing Advisor, because I don’t have to think too hard about what I’m doing. Let’s face it – I’m using up valuable real estate in my brain with such gems as “Most of your brain is fat” and “Dolphins sleep with one eye open, and one eye shut.” Important facts to someone, I’m sure, but for me, they just take up room in my brain. And they often kick in at random times, such as when I’m trying to remember which needle to use when sewing fleece or some such.

The manual is adequate, though not full of of tons of helpful hints. It is, to be sure, more of a pamphlet than a manual, but in the long run, I didn’t have any issues with it. When I needed to look something up, there it was, sitting right in the little drawer, just waiting to be helpful. And most of the time, it is.

What else can I tell you about this machine? Oh, it’s not the lightest, but if you work out a little, you shouldn’t have too many issues moving the Sapphire, and using it for classes, retreats, or taking it for it’s annual spa day. It has TEN INCHES, ladies. To the right of the needle, I mean – get yer mind outta the gutter! They say size doesn’t matter, but sometimes, it does, and it’s usually around the ten inch mark …

It’s also got tons of available accessories, so that’s always nice, if your pocketbook doesn’t put up too much of a fuss. Accessories are generally cheaper than Bernina, more expensive than Brother, but I never cry when I spend the money on the Viking like I have with Bernina. It has a wide range of available feet, and this really cool ankle that will allow you to use some Pfaff feet on the Viking. Since I have a Pfaff, I appreciate the ability to use some feet I already own.

In the interest of full disclosure, though, I have to tell you that I’m selling this machine. I do love it, and it makes a very nice stitch. It’s pleasant to be around and to sew on, if a little noisy. In this case, it isn’t me, and it isn’t the machine. The reason why I’m selling it is the dealer. I am not a fan of the dealer (remember I said the dealer is stupid up at the top?), and I’m selling all the machines that I can’t get serviced elsewhere within a reasonable distance, which makes me very sad. As much as I have enjoyed this machine over the last year, I am done with the sneering and snideness I’ve encountered at my local dealer. I’d rather cuddle up to a water moccasin than buy another machine from them. And that’s all I have to say about that.

If you have the chance to buy a Viking Sapphire 930, I would say DO IT. It’s a great, solid machine with a lot to offer for the price tag.