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Quilting with Husqvarna Viking Sapphire 960Q

by Elaine Theriault

Hello everyone!

This week I’m taking the Husqvarna Viking Sapphire 960Q for a whirl. There are a lot of features on this sewing machine, let’s discover the joy of quilting with Husqvarna Viking Sapphire 960Q!

Going through a bunch of sewing machine features can be boring, so as I highlight the features, I’ll try to give you the reason(s) why these features are nice to have. I’ll have a small project for you at the end of the week.

Sit back and enjoy the journey with me!

Husqvarna Viking Sapphire 960Q

Husqvarna Viking Sapphire 960Q

What a beautiful looking sewing machine!  Of course the Sapphire 960Q comes with a hard case in the event that you need to transport the machine. Remember that gorgeous table that we looked at with the Opal 690Q? The good news is that same table fits the Sapphire 960Q. That is a bonus if you have more than one machine.

When I started to sew – I was excited to have a basic sewing machine that cost a couple of hundred dollars. Now I have six sewing machines and I love them all!  I’m not alone here! One must have backups!

Physical Attributes

The Sapphire 960Q comes with a tool box at the back of the machine which can be removed if you want to use the machine in the free-arm position.

The Sapphire 960Q comes with a tool box at the back of the machine which can be removed if you want to use the machine in the free-arm position.

The tool box is a great place to hold your sewing machine feet, extra bobbins and small tools necessary to maintain the sewing machine.

The tool box is a great place to hold your sewing machine feet, extra bobbins and small tools necessary to maintain the sewing machine.

A vast assortment of feet to accommodate most basic jobs you would expect to do with a sewing machine. Feet for button holes, inserting a zipper, free motion work, 1/4" piecing foot if you are a quilter, overcast seams of clothing and working with materials that may stick to the metal feet.

A vast assortment of feet to accommodate most basic jobs you would expect to do with a sewing machine. Feet for button holes, inserting a zipper, free motion work, 1/4″ piecing foot if you are a quilter, overcast seams of clothing and working with materials that may stick to the metal feet.

There are numerous other feet available for the sewing machine.

This is the Interactive Colour Touch Screen which we will look at more closely tomorrow.

This is the Interactive Colour Touch Screen which we will look at more closely tomorrow.

There is a built-in USB port. Yes - on a sewing machine! You can use that port to update your sewing machine software as well as save your programmed stitches on the USB stick. We will be looking at programming stitches in another post.

There is a built-in USB port. Yes – on a sewing machine! You can use that port to update your sewing machine software as well as save your programmed stitches on the USB stick. We will be looking at programming stitches in another post.

There are MANY stitches available on the Sapphire 960Q. They are divided into categories including: Utility Stitches, Satin stitches, Heirloom Stitches, Quilt Stitches, Vintage Stitches, Decorative Stitches, Omnimotion Stitches and Specialty Stitches.

Wow – a lot of choice!

All the stitches are showcased in the pop-up lid of the sewing machine. A very handy quick reference to readily find what you’re looking for.

Built-in stitches on the sewing machine lid

Built-in stitches on the sewing machine lid

Part of the built-in sewing machine stitches displayed on the sewing machine lid

Part of the built-in sewing machine stitches displayed on the sewing machine lid

Sewing machines accessories including spool caps, thread nets (I'll talk about thread nets in another post), and other tools.

Sewing machines accessories including spool caps, thread nets (I’ll talk about thread nets in another post), and other tools.

LED lights on either side of the needle and one under the arm of the sewing machine. We all know there's nothing worse than trying to sew if the lighting is bad. These LED help eliminate eye fatigue and allows you to sew more accurately since you can see what you're sewing!

LED lights on either side of the needle and one under the arm of the sewing machine. We all know there’s nothing worse than trying to sew if the lighting is bad. These LED help eliminate eye fatigue and allows you to sew more accurately since you can see what you’re sewing!

There’s no presser foot lever on the Sapphire 960Q! This may seem awkward at first, but when you’re used to this feature, you’ll never want a presser foot lever again. No reaching to the back of the machine to lift the presser foot. The Sensor Foot UP/Extra Lift and The Sensor Foot Down/Pivot functions buttons are awesome. I’ll explain them a bit more tomorrow.

No presser foot lever on a sewing machine!!!

No presser foot lever on a sewing machine!!!

Let’s not forget the User’s Guide for the Sapphire 960Q. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of reading the manual!

I was in a sewing group the other day and one of the ladies was muttering to herself and then a cheer every once in a while. When I checked to see what she was doing – she was reading her manual and was pleasantly surprised at what she was learning. AND she solved a couple of issues that she had been having!

If you’re going to a class where you’ll be doing something other than your normal basic sewing, take your manual. You shouldn’t expect the instructor (unless it is a sewing machine class) to show you how to use your machine. In the event that the instructor is willing to help you, the manual will provide very useful information.

The Husqvarna Viking Sapphire 960Q Sewing machine User's Guide

The Husqvarna Viking Sapphire 960Q Sewing machine User’s Guide

Are you excited yet? Come back tomorrow when I’ll show you more features and how they can make sewing more enjoyable. Not only do these features make the sewing more enjoyable, but you become a better and more accurate sewist as well.

Hopefully, I have peeked your attention, I’m looking forward to discovering together the beauty of quilting with Husqvarna Viking Sapphire 960Q!

Have a great day!

Ciao!

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4 comments

Diane September 13, 2018 - 2:37 pm

I am looking for a 1/4″ quilt ruler foot for this machine, it seems impossible to find.

Reply
Rob November 30, 2016 - 3:12 pm

I am looking at the 960q and the new 965q. I was wondering how well it worked using the omnidirectional stitches while quilting?

Reply
Allison Hearst April 6, 2016 - 10:34 am

I have read most of your articles and have enjoyed them immensely. My question is about the Viking sapphire 960q, and I was wondering if you still like it and if you’ve had and trouble with it. It’s number 1 on my list of sewing machines as I am in the market to purchase a new one. I sew, quilt and appliqué. Any advice on what to buy would be most appreciated 🙂

Reply
Elaine Theriault April 6, 2016 - 12:31 pm

Allison yes I’m still working with the 960Q. Just finished 5 days at a sewing retreat and I love it. If I were in the market for an all round machine this would be at the top of my list.

Reply

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