Features of the Husqvarna Viking Tribute 150C – Benefits included!

Welcome back to the second day of exploring the Husqvarna Viking Tribute 150C. Yesterday, I told you about what accessories were included with the Tribute 150C. Today we’ll look at some of the main features of this fabulous sewing machine, and you can see all the features in the Features and Benefits document.  

The first thing we’ll look at is an optional accessory. While I appreciate the 8″ sewing area from the needle to the tower, I also like to have room on the left-hand side of the needle.

I always dig out the optional extension table. I love this extension table because it fits on all the Husqvarna Viking sewing machines in this size category. So, if your more advanced sewing machine is the same size, the table works interchangeably.

The optional extension table

What can I say about the table except that I love the curved front? It makes a difference when sewing, and the curved front allows your arms to rest comfortably on the front edge and makes for a very comfortable sewing position.

Unless I forget it when I go to a retreat (which I never would), I always sew with the extension table on the machine.

And you’ll notice that it has a handy ruler along the front. Now, why would this be important? I’ve been working on many quilts with small pieces, many of which are similar in size. The last thing you want to do is rip, and I’m always in a hurry, so I don’t label my pieces. So, the ruler comes in handy for identifying the piece size if needed. I also use the ruler to double-check that my pieced piece is the correct size.

Yep – I use this ruler more than I thought I would.

But if you don’t have the extension table, guess what? There’s a ruler along the base of the Tribute 150C, so you still have access whether or not you use the table. Notice the small ruler markings in MM. If you’re making a buttonhole, this guide helps to determine the length of the buttonhole required when using the Sensor One-Step Buttonhole Foot.

It’s so helpful to have that little guide handy, so there’s no need for guesswork when making buttonholes.

A guide in MM to identify the size of buttonholes

You’ll also notice the slider to the left of the photo. This slider is used to raise and lower the feed teeth on the Tribute 150C. It’s super easy; slide to the right to lower the feet teeth, then slide to the left to raise them. Did you know that raising the feed teeth is a two-step process? Push the slider to the left and take one stitch; the feed teeth pop back into position.

But what happens when you put the extension table on? I never noticed this before, but there’s a slot in the extension table, so even if you have the extension table in place, you won’t have to remove it to raise or lower the feed teeth. I love that.

The feed teeth slider is available even with the extension table in place

The function panel is positioned right over the workspace of the sewing machine. There’s a speed control with five settings, which is very important if you’re a new sewist doing decorative stitches, or need to sew at a constant speed. There’s also a Needle Stop up/down function, which I can’t sew without, and the FIX function, which ties a knot at the beginning and ending of seams, and is essential for applique and quilting. The STOP function is helpful when doing decorative stitching or when you want to sew a single stitch sequence, and the START/STOP function is excellent for operating the Tribute 150C without the foot pedal. And, of course, there’s a reverse function.

That’s a lot of functions, and I use them all depending on what I’m sewing.

The function panel

Let’s see what else we have. Oh – I needed to wind a bobbin when I wanted to start sewing. It’s super easy to wind bobbins, as the bobbin winder is on top of the machine well within easy reach. And the best part, there’s a cutter right there (it’s on the right-hand side in the photo) to make it easy to cut the thread when the bobbin is full. While I can use the foot pedal to wind the bobbins, I like to use the START/STOP button.

Winding a bobbin

Once you get the bobbin wound, it’s time to thread the sewing machine, which is super easy as there’s a built-in needle threader to get the thread through the eye of the needle. It doesn’t get any easier than that!! Remember that the eye of a Size 8(60) needle is too small, and the hook of the needle threader will not fit through, so those small needles have to be threaded by eye!

Threading the needle with the built-in needle threader

Let’s look at the touch panel and screen, which is one area that’s changed significantly in the history of the sewing machine. I love having all that information on the touch panel. Before, there were various knobs or dials to change these settings, or the ability didn’t exist!

To enjoy your sewing experience, sit down with the User’s Guide to review what each of those numbers on the screen means. It’s only a nine-page section in the Guide, so it won’t take long to go through it.

There’s an illustration of the stitch on the screen and the stitch number from the stitch menus. The stitch length doubles as the density setting when you choose to work with a satin stitch, and the stitch width doubles as the needle position when using a straight stitch. You can mirror stitches, program stitch combinations, and save stitches. The tension, presser foot pressure, and speed settings are also found on the screen. It’s critical to the success of your project that you become familiar with these functions.

The touch panel

The touch panel on the Husqvarna Viking Tribute 150C

The Exclusive Sewing Advisor

Here’s a quick overview of the screen settings. I used the Exclusive Sewing Advisor to select Woven Light fabric, and the technique is overcast. At the far left, the Needle Stop Up/Down is in the up position, and there’s a recommendation to use a size 70 needle. The tension recommendation is between 3 – 5, with a presser foot pressure of 5. Those are both dials on the sewing machine that you set manually.

The selected stitch is 05 from Menu 1. The Exclusive Sewing Advisor recommends Presser Foot J for the Overcast technique, and there’s an illustration of the stitch. The speed control is at full speed. The FIX function is activated, and the length of the stitch is 9.0, while the width is 5.0.

Whenever I select a fabric type, weight, or stitch technique from the Exclusive Sewing Advisor, I’ll see the reflected recommendation on this screen. The default settings will appear on this screen if I choose a different stitch.

You can see why it’s essential to fully understand all the functions to appreciate the sewing abilities of the Tribute 150C.

The settings for the Overcast stitch

See how easy it is to operate this sewing machine? There are enough features to keep the new sewist happy without immediately outgrowing their machine. Yet, there are also enough features for the more experienced sewist to use as a second machine.

But there’s more!

Here’s a peek at the settings menu. If you choose not to use the FIX function for a specific project, you can turn it on or off in the Settings menu. If you’re working with a twin needle, you must indicate the needle’s width to prevent damage to the sewing machine. The stitch width safety will prevent the needle from moving out of the center position, which is handy if you use the Single Stitch plate (a separate option)—a great safety feature. Setting the audible alarm, selecting a language, and the screen contrast is also in the settings menu.

As you can see, this little machine packs a lot of features into it.

The Set Menu

You’ll find all of the stitches in four menus under the sewing machine’s lid.

A diagram of the stitches in each of the four menus

And what I love is that the most common stitches a quilter uses are in the stitch menus! You’ll find the satin stitch and three different blanket stitch styles, so applique will be a breeze.

It’s super easy to select a stitch by selecting the Stitch Menu on the Touch Panel, which gives you a choice of the four menus. Use the arrows on the side to highlight which menu you want. Then type in the stitch number on the number pad, and you’re good to go! You’ll find the stitch numbers under the lid.

The Stitch Menu

So, for a small sewing machine, the Husqvarna Viking Tribute 150c packs a big punch! There are a lot of features on this machine that you’ll find on some of the larger machines, making it perfect for the second sewing machine for taking to retreats and classes. This machine weighs a fraction of the larger machines, so it’s easy to carry. It’s also enough of a sewing machine for the new sewist.

I find it very frustrating for the new sewist when they come to class with a very inexpensive sewing machine, yet they want to work with the crazy fabrics. And while it’s possible, it’s very challenging, and many of them get frustrated, making it easy to give up.

With the Husqvarna Viking Tribute 150C, they won’t have those same issues and will be able to sew pretty much anything! And the more they enjoy sewing from day one, the more likely they’ll stick with it. And let’s face it, we all want new sewists!

Husqvarna Viking Tribute 150C

I’ll be sewing tomorrow, so be sure to come back to see how it goes.

Have a great day!

Ciao!!!

This is part 2 of 5 in this series

Go back to part 1: Introducing the Husqvarna Viking Tribute 150C – What’s included

Go to part 3: Straight stitching with a perfect seam allowance: How needle position helps

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