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Anyone familiar with the Husqvarna Viking Ruby Deluxe sewing machine


Libbey

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Has anyone owned the Husqvarna Viking Ruby Deluxe sewing/embroidery machine?  I'm looking to replace my DSM. I want one that can sew apparel, piece quilts, and also do embroidery.  I've owned Singer, Bernina, and Janome machines and all of them have served me will but I don't have any experience with Viking or any embroidery machines.   Consumer report has good things to say about them but there are only about 5 independent reviews online for this machine that I can find.  4 were good and 1 was not so good.  I would greatly appreciate your honest input. If you have a similar machine of a different brand that you are particulary fond of, I would like to hear that too.  Thanks y'all.

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Hi,

 

I have had several Vikings....but none since the Viking SELE which is discontinued....I have been very happy with the one's that I have owned...a Viking 90...bottom of the line...but it was first and I did fine with it....upgraded to a Viking 500...loved....then a Viking D1....and then the SE....the last two do embroidery....both of the last two still do more than I use  :)....I would say the dealer is important and also trying out the machine as the Vikings are a bit different....there is no presser foot lift as the machine does that automatically....I love that I can tell the machine to stop with the needle down and that the foot lifts a bit automatically so I can pivot without a knee lift like the Bernina's or the using the presser foot lift like other machines....OK,...at last count I had 10 machines...a bit excessive....I also have a Bernina 630, also discontinued...would do embroidery but I did not get the embroidery arm for it as I had the two vikings...ummm...there is always a feature or two on the higher end machines that I like better on each of the brands...but I really can't complain about any of them   LOL....right now I am using my Viking D1, my Pfaff passport, and my Bernina on just one quilting project...and Lucey is waiting downstairs for the actual quilting....this projected started out a workshop...so I ;used my lightest machine..my pfaff passport....then switched to the Viking D1 for the auto lift on the curved piecing and the Bernina is already in my cabinet for adding the borders and binding...yeah...I am a bit crazy....Lin

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I have always been a Viking fan.  I owned a 1+ and my daughter has that machine now.  I loved it!  I upgraded to a Viking Diamond and I can't say it is all love.  I've had to have it serviced every year and it seems I'm always having issues with it.  I do absolutely adore it for piecing and that has not been my problem.  The sensor foot wonderful and if doing applique or blanket stitch it is invaluable.  My problems have always been with the embroidery part of it.  I've heard nothing but good things about the Ruby though!  

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I have always owned Vikings from the 1+ to the designer diamond I have now.  I absolutely love Viking machines as they are workhorses with very little problems.  I've sewn from very fine fabric to several (and I mean Several) layers of denim.   The embroidery is beautiful - I only wish the machine would change the thread wen embroidering- lol.

 

I have never owned the ruby but  there are groups on yahoo for Viking - you may want to join a couple and read up on this machine.

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I have one to replace my designer 1 (which will go to my daughter to replace my circa 1970 machine she is now using). My dealer was great also as they were able to roll over the digitalizing software to the new Mac version for no cost (which is great….so glad to be done with multiple platforms on my Mac).  For a new user they have a learning curve, but not more than any other tech based equipment.

 

I am enjoying it and think it allows the user to make more 'adjustments' to the imbedded  sensor settings. As always having a good dealer seals the deal. 

 

 

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I have loved my Vikings for 30 years of sewing and quilting. But I am afraid to say I have had lots of issues with both my Diamond and then an upgrade(not) to a Diamond Delux. I have had tension issues, the back up button doesn't always work, and you press the foot control and it doesn't go! If I didn't own so many accessories and feet I would switch brands. The Diamond had an issue with the take up arm coming unthreaded. They had to reengineer a fix for that which took months for me to get it fixed.

Unfortunately the shop I bought it from changed hands and the repair guy retired too. Now I have to take it 1 1/2 hours away to a dealer who sends it to another city to get it cleaned or repaired. It was gone for 2 months this spring. I like to have it cleaned once a year because I use it so much.

The Ruby might be better than a Diamond....I hope. I hope your dealer has a good repair and cleaning set up. Good luck!

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I just had my Viking Designer 1 USB fixed, and was checking out the Diamond, and the owner/service man said he'd rather I keep my eye on the Ruby, that it was a much better machine, than the Diamond.  The poor diamond has a flaw running thru it, it seems. 

 

Good luck in your choice.  Vikings are wonderful and as others have said will work thru heavy fabric.  I've used mine on 3 layers of Vinyl when reupholstering a car.

 

Rita

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  • 7 months later...

I do not have any experience with Viking.  My only suggestion is to go with the company in your area that you believe will give you the best customer service.  In all probability it all comes down to personal opinion.  You will need support after any sale, so you want to be certain that you will get quality care.  In my case that ended up being Brother.  It was not the cheapest in my area, but I felt I go the most for my dollar.  In the end, I would bet most combo machines can do about the same sewing, quilting, or embroidery jobs at their quality/cost point.  Good luck shopping.

 

Cagey

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I too think it's ALL ABOUT THE DEALER!!  I have had four versions of BabyLock embroidery machines, and currently run their first (older) six needle, which is awesome.  I've traded in as I've upgraded and my dealer does good training, support and does a lot of trouble shooting over the phone.  I do own a Pfaff that has the embroidery arm but I use it mostly for construction and have had the BEST luck with it.  Workhorse!  Purchased this at a show, the machine I took class on, but the dealer who ran the show does the service and is also very helpful over the phone.

I also own an antique Singer that still works great, an early BabyLock serger that works great, a Juki and an embellisher...all exceed expectation.

But...my Viking experience has not been the best.  I got sucked into their mid arm quilting system with stitch regulator and computer (Qbot).  I had trouble with support both online and from the chain store where I purchased it (which left me with NO HELP AT ALL) after spending a lot of money on it.  My saleslady quit right after I took delivery, so I didn't get my lessons...When I contacted corporate, they were dismissive, difficult to reach and did not follow through.  It took me three independent repair places to have it fixed and the last guy took six months to find the problem.  I don't have it back yet, but will be getting rid of it.  I did not find the online groups to be helpful, and the website had little to offer as well, and never got back to me by email when I tried to contact them for repair advice.  Very disappointing experience all around.

If you love the Ruby, it's my opinion you also need to love the dealer, so if there are any issues (I hope not) you'll have friendly and informed help.  Would have made all the difference for me.

Good luck.  ;)

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