This week, I’m unboxing and checking out all of the Husqvarna Viking Opal 690Q sewing machine parts and taking it for a test drive. Follow me for the next five days as I explore the capabilities of the Opal 690Q. Whether you’re currently in the market for a new quilting machine or a new sewing machine or perhaps just thinking about it – I know you’ll be amazed at what the Opal 690Q can do. Sit back, relax and enjoy the journey!
It’s so exciting to highlight the accessories that come with the Opal 690Q and take a quick peek at a couple of other features.
The Husqvarna Viking Opal 690Q comes with a hard case which is an excellent feature if you want to travel to class or sewing retreats with this machine. There is much less danger of parts getting broken.
Let’s take off that cover to find…
The Husqvarna Viking Opal 690Q – an impressive looking sewing machine
The Husqvarna VIking Opal 690Q comes with over 200 built-in stitches! An easy to read diagram in the flip up lid makes it easy to find the one you want.
We’ll have a much closer look at those stitches later this week. Let’s just say that your creativity will be working over time with this much variety!
There are two spool holders on the Opal 690Q. The one on the left can be used in the horizontal or vertical position. The auxiliary one on the right is for the second spool of thread when using a twin needle or for the spool of thread when winding a bobbin.
The stylus and its handy holder are a great addition to use on the touch screen. The stylus is positioned just to the right of the touch screen, yet out of the way when you don’t need it. Did you notice just below the touchscreen – the Exclusive Sewing Adviser? You’ll love that when I show you what it does.
A push lever on the front of the Opal 690Q allows you to easily drop the feed dogs in preparation for free motion quilting. Very handy to have that lever on the front of the machine.
A generous tool box that attaches to the bed of the Opal 690Q. It is very quick and easy to remove the tool box if you want to add the extension table or use the free arm of the sewing machine.
A tray sits inside the tool box to hold all the feet and extra bobbins. Underneath the tray is ample room for all the extra accessories that come with the Opal 690Q.
Once the tool box is removed from the back of the sewing machine, the free arm of the machine is exposed and ready for stitching in those tight spots.
The extension table is an add-on, but one that is well worth investing in.
You have to see this table in person to appreciate the beauty of it. It reminds me of the wing of an airplane. It appears that very careful thought went into the design of this table. Stay tuned and I’ll tell you why in another post later this week.
The touchscreen for the Opal 690Q. If you’re used to seeing all the controls of your sewing machine at one time, this touchscreen could be scary. At first glance you have no idea where anything is. Once you understand the layout of the screen, it’s very easy to change any of the settings on the Opal 690Q. Like any new electronic device, it’s worth playing around in here to see just what we can do. I’ll take you on a more in-depth tour very soon.
The Presser Feet included with the Opal 690Q
– Utility Foot A
– Utility Foot B
– Buttonhole Foot C
– Sensor One-Step Buttonhole Foot
– Blind Hem Foot D
– Zipper Foot E
– Edging Foot J
Additional presser feet for the 690Q
– Quilter’s 1/4″ Piecing foot P
– Clear Open Toe foot
– Embroidery/Darning foot R
The presser feet are easy to put on and take off. A small metal bar on the top of the presser feet snaps into this slot at the end of the presser foot ankle.
Accessories that come with the Opal 690Q. There are lots of goodies here and I will be taking a closer look at some of them later this week.
I know – you’re wondering why I’m showing you this. Well this is the take up lever on the Opal 690Q. In the past, take-up levers had a hole that you had to poke the thread through.
Then the sewists among us demanded easier threading options so take-up levers became a giant elongated loop. Now it was easier to get the thread in, but the thread also popped out more readily as well. Especially when doing high speed work like free motion quilting. Let’s just say that the end result wasn’t pretty.
Husqvarna Viking has designed a small guide that keeps the thread from coming out of the take up lever loop. It’s still easy to thread, but not so easy for the thread to come out under high speed conditions.
Brilliant design and THANK YOU!
THIS is the take up lever on the Opal 690Q.
Now here’s a major curiosity with the Opal 690Q. This is the BACK of the machine and what do you see? Or should I say – what don’t you see? There is NO presser foot lever. So how does one lower and raise the presser foot? I am going to save that mystery for tomorrow. Trust me – if you don’t know about this feature – you’re going to be amazed. I haven’t had a presser on my main machine for 16 years and I love it.
Let’s not forget the User’s Guide.
Like many of you – we’re so excited to get the machine that we never read the User’s Guide. Oh sure – you may quickly look up how to thread the machine, but do you actually READ the entire guide from cover to cover?
While I’ve been sewing for many years, I still learned things from reading the manual which I’ll share with you over the next week.
Now run and get your own user’s guide and read it tonight. It shouldn’t take long, but I bet you learn something!
Let’s not forget the User’s Guide.
There you have it… the basic stuff that comes with the Husqvarna Viking Opal 690Q.
Wait until you see what this machine can do. Tomorrow we’re going to look a bit closer at some of the amazing features of this machine. Stay tuned.
I LOVE unboxing and reviewing the Husqvarna Viking Opal 690Q sewing machine parts!
Have a great day!
Ciao!
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