Simply Fabulous
Written: May 05 '00 (Updated Nov 24 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Easy to use, good tech material, fabulous embroidery
Cons: COST, COST, ONLY IBM platform
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| Rosethyme's Full Review: Husqvarna Designer I Sewing Machine |
I have had a Brother sewing machine for about 30 years and it works great.
For the past 2 years, however, I have been looking for something with embroidery capability. I checked out the Elna brand and was concerned about some of the software limitations at the time, considering the price of the machine. I especially wanted something with custom design work in mind. I design and fashion my own ballroom gowns for dance functions.
This year I decided to check out the Viking units. Well, it was love at first sight. The Designer 1 has it all: a sturdy, well-designed, easy to use standard sewing machine that is also capable of some pretty fabulous embroidery. If you purchase the custom professional embroidery software package, you can use an IBM computer to set up your own designs.
I now have the ability to scan and digitize my own work for transfer to the Designer 1. I can select whatever colors I like and style it the way I want. Once the basic designs are set up, there is a program to enlarge the patterns to the new sizes.
Keep in mind this is after you set up your designs, full sections of colors and shading without gaps, stitch patterns, tie offs, and stops. The enlargement program expands everything proportionately for the larger design. You don't have to redo anything.
The unit is pushbutton activated, and you can set a speed control. You can sew fast or slow: once you program in the speed, it stays constant.
One thing I really love is the built-in threader. At night with these eyes, it's so difficult to thread the needles. The Designer 1 has a threader that once you become comfortable with it, makes life so much simpler. The work space is brighter: it has 2 light bulbs instead of one.
The button hole settings are great. There is a place where you program in the button size, and the unit automatically sets the button hole size for it. Same button hole size every time, and really easy to use. There is an automatic stitch tie-off button, stop button, and thread cutter.
I love it. It comes with a video instructional tape that is surprisingly well done. It does come with a pretty hefty price tag. This is not a beginners unit but it is certainly the last sewing machine you will buy with a 20 year warranty.
I am fairly adroit with a computer--my husband and I have now finished designing our web site for ballroom dancing. I just wish they could have offered Designer 1 that was dual platform, for both the Macintosh as well as the IBM. My computer is an iMac. I prefer Macs and have used them for the past 15 years (yes, 15 years--I started with a thin Mac, then a fat Mac, a Mac-plus, a PowerMac and finally an iMac). I use my daughter's Pentium 500 IBM to do the design work.
This is a well designed machine that is state of the art. Now if they could make it dual platform, it would be absolutely perfect for the home designer.
A note of caution: Chat with the dealer and check out the selection of classes before you purchase the Custom-Pro software package. There are lots of classes offered by them to aid you in using your machine.
Since I've used computers for so many years, it was easy for me to use. I actually taught myself how to use the programs. Within 2 months I was embroidering my own "Two for Tango" dance logo, which is a complex design. You do not need to have advanced computer skills to use the Custom-Pro software package, but it does make it easier and faster. At a price tag of $2000 for the Custom-Pro software package, you need to consider this before purchasing it.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Rosethyme
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Location: Newport, Rhode Island
Reviews written: 31
Trusted by: 7 members
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