Viking Mega Quilter Sewing Machine review by iSewQuiltArt (2024)

The machine is extremely solid and spacious, with good stitch quality A simple to use, straight stitch only machine, it sews for hours each day without skipping a stitch. Well unless the fabric is a ...

9Comments

cfc said...(3/19/09 10:59 PM ET)

Great review, thanks for the tip on the Grace Frame!

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johnr55 said...(4/7/08 12:34 PM ET)

When did Janome take over poor Elna? They had been gobbled up by Tacony.

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iSewQuiltArt said...(4/6/08 11:29 PM ET)

Hmm! Interesting information. I guess what it boils down to is to go and try the machines for yourself-as John mentioned thread can have a big part to play in reliable stitch formation and I know the number of students I see who have not adequately cleaned out their machine as requested before class and have to do it under my watchful eye, and change needle for that matter, are often in high numbers. Some tell me they are afraid to pull their machine apart to do it and have never done so in 20 years of sewing-a miracle their machine works at all, LOL! Who knows what else may be lurking in their machines?! Happy Quilting, whatever machine you might end up using!

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Betakin said...(4/6/08 5:58 PM ET)

Yes, my dealer that sells both Pfaff/Viking also said that the Pfaff GQ and the Viking MQ were the same exact machine and made by Janome. At that time Janome was also making the HuskyStar models for Viking but since that time other companies make the HuskyStars but I think these models have now been discontinued. They did not seem to be the same quality as the Janome models and were made in China and not Taiwan as when Janome made the HuskyStars.I asked my dealer why the Pfaff and Viking quilt models had different exteriors if they were both the same machine. She explained at that time there were Pfaff dealers that did not sell Viking and Viking dealers that did not sell Pfaff..hence both machines.Now with the Pfaff/Viking/Singer (VSP) all being one there have been many changes. Janome also now heads Elna USA and I don't know if Janome still makes machines for VSP. My dealer said there are 5 different companies that make their machines now.

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neither said...(4/6/08 5:18 PM ET)

I think you might be thinking of a different Janome than I was thinking of. The 1600 professional comes in three versions of increasing cost with additional features. It is a straight stitch only machine. Therefore it would not have any possibility to produce decorative stitches, either good ones or bad ones. If anybody is having problems with tension, which I have never experienced, nor have heard about, I would suggest that they clean out the pretension disks, the tension disks and the stitch plate area of any fluff from thread, such as coats and clark and other threads, that leave a large residue of fluff when they pass through those areas of any machine. I have 2 Bernina machines and the Janome is the equal in stitch quality, to either of them which are legendary. The machine you may be thinking of might be the Memory Craft 6600 and 6500 series of machines. They are similar in size but in no way similar in construction. the 1600 is a side load industrial bobbin and the 6500-6600 is a front load drop in bobbin.They are completely different as to interior construction and material. Also the 6500-6600 is a multi stitch machine. I have talked to the Husqvarna dealer about the similarity of the Husqvarna and and Janome. They said that the first versions of the Megaquilter machines were indeed made under license from Janome, in the same factory. They have since modified the machine cosmetically but they are still similar in most respects as to inner workings. People were complaining about the fact that Husqvarna was charging more money for a machine that was basically the same as the Janome. Either way, they are both good machines, and should provide years of trouble free service to anybody who owns one. I know my Janome has provided over three years of that and I expect it should continue, as it is a rather uncomplicated and well made machine.John

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iSewQuiltArt said...(4/6/08 5:24 AM ET)

Thanks for your comments everyone, from what my dealer in Australia tells me (and she is 100% honest), there is a factory in Taiwan that makes the machines from basically the same mould but there are some subtle differences in the internal components and paint finishes. I actually test drove on the pfaff but took the ex-demo HV as my other machines are also HV but they are all but one Swedish made. The only difference I could see b/w the Pfaff and HV was the paint trim! And the bobbins are fractionally different. I have heard that many Janome 1600P develop tension troubles and paintwork that flakes over time but also that the Janome's that look like they are the same shape as the Pfaff and HV but also offer decorative stitches are unreliable in stitch quality. This is because they are not dedicated straight stitch machines and there is a little wiggle sideways in the straight stitch mode by machines that can also do zig-zag. I have tried a studen't Janome 1600P and it did seem a little more clacky than my HV but perhaps she needed to be more attentive to oiling it. I can understand the indignant lady at the dealership with the comments that Janome make it for HV, as to my knowledge the reason HV use the factory they choose is for their excellent standards in manufacture and quality control-not something that is generally associated with Janome?! They have outsourced the production of the Emerald range and the Mega Quilter for cost reasons but use parts and designs for their machine to Swedish design and use generic parts in these machines in a very limited way and only when quality is not compromised. My understanding is that the factory that makes these machines also manufacture according to the specs of other companies-if you look closely some buttons are in different places and some brands like Janome also offer other stitch programs and features from a similar looking product. I think that perhaps its the outside packaging and some internal functions that are purchased for manufacture by these different brands but that they all tweak the outside and some internal bits to suit their designs-the result being that the machines are very similar but that indeed there are some differences on the inside-its just hard for the consumer to see what they are and unless you have a dealer with good knowledge its hard to sift fact from fiction.I don't have the Next Generation frame that replaces the Inspira one-because my studio floor is uneven and I would never be able to level off the legs, even with their adjustable legs. My studio is a converted garage and basic but full of space and light. I did try the frame but couldn't use if for more than 10 minutes without becoming stiff-probably the set up as we didn't adjust it at all.Have to say that the straight stitch is amazing and I find tension balancing possible on all threads and battings I have tried-unlike my student with her Janome 1600P. I have also known of quilting community members who have had their Janome for a couple of years and whilst once were in love with it have begun to curse their purchasing decision. One even went and bought a long-arm so she could have more reliable results as the mamchine she owned began to produce uneven stitching and required servicing frequently to address the issues. Advice to anyone considering purchase-sit and sew on the fabrics and battings with threads you will use but be warned, you will probably be unable to leave the shop without one! As for me I just felt more comfortable with either the Pfaff or HV because they operate in business by differentiating their produts along quality and performance basis, not cost leadership, and I would have purchased whichever one was available at the ex-demo discount. Regular price in Aus is about $1599 I think.Have fun and let me know what you think!Cheers,Quilting Queen.

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Betakin said...(4/4/08 2:47 PM ET)

It is my understanding that this Viking MQ is the same exact machine as the Pfaff Grand Quilter and both are made by Janome in Taiwan one for Viking and one for Pfaff.I have not tried the Janome Quilters being I have no local Janome dealer but the Pfaff GQ that I tried did the nicest free motion that I have ever done so if the Viking is the same machine I imagine the FM is also awesome.

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patty46 said...(4/4/08 8:56 AM ET)

i was looking at this machine last week at my local joanns store. it was on sale for $1299. i mentioned that i had heard this machine was made by janome and salesperson got very indignant and said absolutely not, it was a viking machine all the way. so what to believe? i have been wanting a single stitch machine for a while so i was glad to see your review. i am actually leaning toward the janome 1600p. i have a kenmore machine made by janome and i love it. do you plan on getting the frame for it? enjoy!!! pat

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neither said...(4/4/08 7:33 AM ET)

I believe this is a re-badging of the Janome 1600 Professional series of machines. Those Janome machines are very good quality and the one I have is faultless in it's performance. You will probably get similar service from your purchase. Enjoy it.John

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