Generic feet for H-V Sapphire 835?

So I'll go bankrupt trying to buy the HV branded feet for my Sapphire 835. I'm interested in picking up a couple of different feet and the generic ones seem to cost about 1/6 the money of the name brand. After a year of using a 1/4" piecing foot without a guide I'd like to try one with the guide to see if I like it any better.

I found these two but I'm not even sure if either will fit my machine or what the difference (besides minor cosmetic differences) are between them.
Foot #1- https://goldstartool.com/1-4-_-Quart...dge_Guide.html
Foot #2- https://goldstartool.com/1-4_In._Seam_Foot.html

I checked and the feet off my "Brother" machine seem to snap onto the HV and look as if they'd work okay but before I ordered anything I thought I'd ask here.

Has anyone had success with generic feet on an HV machine? I just can't see spending $30 or more per foot for a little hunk of polished metal or plastic.

The feet for my Pfaff, Singer, and Babylock are all interchangeable. The Babylock feet are about half the price, so when I think I need a new one, that is the brand I select. I'm sure if you checked w/a sewing machine store, they would be able to tell you...it just depends on the shank of the machine.

When I bought my HV Opal 670 my dealer signed me up for the HV buyers program, I get an email when HV is sponsoring a sale at their dealers. I was able to purchase my extension table and extra specialty feet at a discounted sale price. When I purchased the machine, the independent dealer (located inside the largest Joann's in the region) asked me what I would be sewing a lot of and I got my q in foot and running foot at 50% off when purchased with machine. The biggest discount I have seen since on accessories since then is usually 40%. Go thru you paperwork you got with machine, and register for the program. It keeps track of your purchases and offers discounts with points too, kind of like M* quilters cash. Initial purchase of machine was included in program, loved that! I have a great independent dealer in joanns, I realize not everyone is so fortunate, she even offered 'get to know your machine' classes. I really appreciated that since every machine has little shortcuts, features, and benefits.

PS...although other feet may work on machine, my dealer told me to absolutely not use other brands of bobbins. So if you need more of those only purchase HV brand. She said their #1 repair was due to damage from other brands of bobbins. Oh and needle purchases also count in their buyer's program...I am always buying more of those. 75's for piecing and 90's for quilting.

Oh I've the same exact machine! After spending a ton on the machine it was a bit of a shock to see the Walking foot over $100!! But it could void any warranty if you don't use their brand and it causes issues :-( I sucked it up and got the guided 1/4" foot, walking foot and they also developed a special STID foot to use with the walking foot, that is pretty cool. I don't know about generic, I bought them for my Pfaff's because they are long out of warranty, but I was pretty worried about the computerized Viking?

Good luck wish I had an extra foot to send!

:-Debbie

I have the Sapphire too. I use a generic low shank walking foot, but have found other generic feet don't work. Ask Santa for it :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wackyaunt3

When I bought my HV Opal 670 my dealer signed me up for the HV buyers program, I get an email when HV is sponsoring a sale at their dealers. I was able to purchase my extension table and extra specialty feet at a discounted sale price. When I purchased the machine, the independent dealer (located inside the largest Joann's in the region) asked me what I would be sewing a lot of and I got my q in foot and running foot at 50% off when purchased with machine. The biggest discount I have seen since on accessories since then is usually 40%. Go thru you paperwork you got with machine, and register for the program. It keeps track of your purchases and offers discounts with points too, kind of like M* quilters cash. Initial purchase of machine was included in program, loved that! I have a great independent dealer in joanns, I realize not everyone is so fortunate, she even offered 'get to know your machine' classes. I really appreciated that since every machine has little shortcuts, features, and benefits.

---

I'm glad to hear that someone has found this program to be helpful because I think it is rubbish. I bought my machine as a floor model from the dealer inside Joannes. I felt like I got a pretty good discount because it was a floor model and while there was a broken part (the accessories tray lid hinge) they had already ordered a new one and were just waiting for it to arrive and the machine was perfectly usable as-is. I signed up for their loyalty program and thought that with the several hundred dollars we just spent we'd be close to getting some other stuff for cheap or free.

Fast forward a few months later I went back to buy something. First the lady was pretty rude when she was looking me up in the system insisting that the account was "probably under my wife's name" (my wife doesn't even know how to sew but thanks for being openly sexist) then when there were not any points on the account she said they "probably expired". I asked how long points last as I haven't even had the machine a year and she was vague and said she "wasn't sure" but it was obvious that she had no interest in finding out. Whatever. We got what we needed and left. Last month my wife bought me the snap on extension table for my machine for X-mas. (I haven't opened it yet but I know that is what she got me) We went to get some bobbins because I had heard the same thing about off-brand bobbins not working correctly and when looking up my account again I got the "Are you sure the account is under _your_ name?" there were no points and when my wife said she just spent $100 and gave them my account info the week before we were told that, "The points may take a while to show up in your account". So far the only thing I get is weekly emails that I have tired a dozen times to unsubscribe from (unsuccessfully), a rather sexist employee who apparently feels that only women can/should sew, and no points to spend despite spending well over $1000 on machine and accessories through this same dealer this year. I like my machine pretty well but honestly I would not recommend that dealer (The H/V dealer inside the Joannes in Frederick, MD for anyone who cares) and I probably wouldn't recommend H/V products because they gouge so heavily on accessories. What makes the foot for my machine worth $37 when the identical foot for my Brother machine is $8?!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Marebear

I have the Sapphire too. I use a generic low shank walking foot, but have found other generic feet don't work. Ask Santa for it :D

---

When you say "Don't work" you mean don't fit on the machine or just don't perform as well as the factory feet?

I wasn't very good this year so if he checks that list I'll probably get coal from Santa. ;)

If you are worried about warranty, stay with H-V feet. I bought an Elna ankle and used Elna feet with my Pfaff - 1471, 1475. Put the same ankle on a Viking 1+ and it worked just fine. Think I also used it on a Babylock Ellure. Found the ankle and tried it out on the 2170 and it still worked, so I'll hang onto it. While expensive, Pfaff, Viking and Bernina do have feet for almost every job now. Some of the other machines don't. Elna had the cording foot I wanted for heirloom. Creative feet sell ankles that fit low, high, and slant shank machines. Just check your position on the foot compared to the needle hole.
The Pfaff will also take 6mm feet, so I kept and use the Viking Hemstitch fork.

If the foot hops - like the quilting foot, ruffler and most walking feet, you might be wise to stick with the branded with an electronic machine. Leah Day had one mod where she cut that hopping extension off and used an elastic to keep the foot above the quilt in the right position - in that case, a generic shouldn't matter since you aren't timing the stitch with the foot. If you have an older mechanical zigzag, the aftermarket specialty feet are the only ones you can get.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Alpha O

If the foot hops - like the quilting foot, ruffler and most walking feet, you might be wise to stick with the branded.

---

I did break down and bought the HV walking foot with the 2 interchangeable feet. Just the walking foot cost more than my other sewing machine did but I will say it works pretty well.

As for warranty- I'm not sure what kind of warranty the machine came with but the service I've received from my dealer so far has been garbage so I probably wouldn't go to them if something breaks anyway.

I peruse ebay for sales on feet for my machines. Mine are expensive too.

BTW, I don't know what the max width of an H-V stitch is now, the Pfaff has been 9mm for a long time. If you wish to try a 6mm foot for the same machine, hit the twin needle button. It limits the width of the stitch for twin needle embroidery and will keep you from breaking needles.
Sometimes the narrower foot works better as it fits over the feed dogs more closely.

There are ways to use generic feet on your machine. I have the sapphire 855 and bought a low shank narrow hemmer. This does mean you have to remove the HV ankle. I've used old Elna feet on it as well. On my bernina is use the #75 adapter with the HV ankle and the snap on feet. Having said all this I only do that for the feet I don't use often. If you're going to be using it a lot I would get the proper foot for your machine.

Other than the walking foot, any foot that snaps on to your base will work just fine. My new Brother came with a new walking foot, which was a good thing, because there was a difference in the width of the feet. Almost any low shank foot will fit on any low shank machine, especially if you are talking about the snap on feet. Buy the generic and save the $ for fabric and stuff for Sawyer. The dealers and manufacturers tell you all that kaka, so you have to spend the big bucks on their accessories. PHTTTTT

My Viking has the sensory system so I wouldn't use any other feet. I do love the 1/4" with the glide and they have it in both metal and plastic and the plastic is cheaper.
Just an FYI - My Viking dealer is awesome :) She sold me an attachment that allows me to use my Viking feet on my other sewing machines :) So while I might pay a higher price, I can use them on all three of my machines.

I tried a generic walking foot for my 870 and it didn't work very well. I've since got the Viking foot and am having much better results. Maybe it was the particular one I got but that was my experience.

If you call the Manufacturer of your machine and complain about the service you have been getting from Joann's, where you got your machine from, maybe they will try to resolve the problem. Tell them they have no record of your account, etc. Be persistent about it. That is what my DH always says. You might be surprised!!! And there is nothing wrong with Men sewing. My DH sews on a cheap Brother Machine, and does very well. He doesn't do any quilting. lol And I also work with this guy, who does quilting. He says it relaxes him. He has several machines. It is cool to go to work and share ideas, and to hear what he has been working on. Good luck to you!!

When I purchased my new Viking Opal 670, the generic walking foot I'd been using on my older model Viking Emerald 183 absolutely did not fit due to the 3 LED lights over the working area. I purchased a new HV foot which sold for ~$100., but I got a 40% discount from the dealer. It works beautifully. Not all bobbins are created equal, even among Viking products. I had to buy all new bobbins for the 670. I also had to purchase a new Sew Steady extension table. These were expenses I hadn't planned on, but everything is working well. JCY

Wow that is really sad HR...my dealer always finds my buyer points using my phone number rather than my name (so many common names where phone numbers rarely overlap). On the upside maybe there is another HV dealer nearby? Check the HV site...with service that poor in your Joanns, I wouldn't want to leave there for any needed service! On the upside, maybe another dealer would be in a quilt shop that offers classes and a helpful, non sexist staff?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by HandsomeRyan

When you say "Don't work" you mean don't fit on the machine or just don't perform as well as the factory feet?

I wasn't very good this year so if he checks that list I'll probably get coal from Santa. ;)

---

The 2 I have tried do fit on the machine, but the needle hole on the foot is not in the right place so the needle comes down on the metal part of the foot, therefore you can't sew with them. I have tried the 1/4 inch feet (generic).

Happens with all generic feet. If you are aware of it and you have different needle positions, just remember to move the needle or program that setting into your machine if possible. My Pfaff 2170 will do both the 6mm and the 9mm feet. The 6mm fits over the feed dogs a bit better, so I programmed in the stitch and saved it if I want to do either a zigzag or a blanket stitch to stitch down binding or sashing in QAYG. The machine defaults to the 9mm and you break needles if you don't remember to hit the twin needle button while using the 6mm foot.

I just bought a generic open toe high shank foot for the Brother 1500, and the foot is not centered. It's off a little over a mm to the right. Since the 1500 is a single stitch, it won't break a needle, so I just marked the center of the foot with a sharpie. There's times I want to see where I'm going, hence the open toe.

Hey Ryan. I'm new to this forum. I purchased my 960 Q on Black Friday the VH store in Joann's in Stockton, CA. I got an e-mail notification when my points were available to spend and it gave an expiration date, it came about two weeks later. What was also cool is the Machine was discounted $450 for black friday and they threw in $160 of free accessories. I understand the fustration of dealing with sexism in our hobby, I've delt with it a few times at smaller quilt shops. The ladies in the HV Store are awesome, good employees can change the whole experience of buying and getting information. I have become great friends with all of them and have even joined one of their guilds.

I also want a foot with guide it makes life easier, just need to figure out which one will work for me. Did you notice a huge difference in your sewing when you switched machines?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dr1987

I also want a foot with guide it makes life easier, just need to figure out which one will work for me. Did you notice a huge difference in your sewing when you switched machines?

---

I'm a firm believer in, "It is you and not the machine you sit behind that makes for quality work" but I think many things are easier to do well on this machine than my old one. I would almost compare it to knowing how to drive a manual transmission car then buying an automatic. I'm glad I learned to sew on a machine that had manual tension adjustments and no automatic needle down position but I'm also quite happy to use those functions now that they are available to me.

To be honest, when I first got it home, I didn't really like the new machine. The people who sold it to me did not offer me any instruction on how to use it they just gathered [most of] the accessories it was supposed to come with and handed me a copy of the manual and I was out the door. It wasn't anything with the machine itself, I was just overwhelmed with all the different buttons and settings and frustrated that I knew the machine was capable of cool stuff but I didn't know how to work it all.

Now I love it though! I still hate how expensive all the accessories are for it but that deep throat is awesome when it comes time to quilt. I have also started exploring some of the other stitch functions. The button-holer is amazing because the "easy button-holer" on my old Brother machine was almost impossible to use but this new machine will make round, keyhole, or traditional button holes in any size easily and with a high degree of repeat-ability.

I've used it for about 5-6 quilts, some table runners, and some other general sewing projects like baby clothes and I feel much more comfortable with it now. I still want to grab for a manual foot lifter and I'm not sure I'll ever get used to buttons for that but it stitches beautifully. I have no found (as some have reported) that it is too finicky about type or size of thread. I will say to keep your bobbin case area clean with the little brush or you'll have tension issues but it only takes a second to clean while changing bobbins.

On the "To Buy" list for it: the 1/4" piecing foot with guide (4129141-46) and the SITD foot for the walking foot (4131555-45) (because I already own the walking foot that it is compatible with)

To be honest, when I first got it home, I didn't really like the new machine. The people who sold it to me did not offer me any instruction on how to use it they just gathered [most of] the accessories it was supposed to come with and handed me a copy of the manual and I was out the door. It wasn't anything with the machine itself, I was just overwhelmed with all the different buttons and settings and frustrated that I knew the machine was capable of cool stuff but I didn't know how to work it all.

"the above was meant to be quoted"

Ryan I would really call the V-H Home office and complain about the way you have been treated at your store. I was offered free lessons on the machine and given a card from the manager to call her if I had any trouble with the machine or questions. They also called me three times to see how I was getting along with the Machine and a reminder on the 9th day to return it if I wasn't satisfied before the 10th day. She also let me borrow the clear extension table she had on display until the one I ordered came in.

Thanks for the advice on the foot. I feel the same way I was happy to learn to sew on my grandmas foot powered Singer. I love the throat size on the Saphirre, it has made freemotion so much easier. I'll Post some pictures tonight of current projects. Nice to meet you BTW.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by HandsomeRyan

S
Foot #2- https://goldstartool.com/1-4_In._Seam_Foot.html

---

I don't have any experience with your machine but I bought that foot for my Singer and it didn't fit because of the L-shape of the black guide. There are plenty available where the black guide does not have the L-shape but goes straight back (hope that makes sense!).

In general, I have found that lot's of 'official' Singer feet are just generic ones rebranded with a higher price. I have bought lots of generic feet on eBay and similar places and the only problem I've experienced is the one mentioned in the top para.

(Singer, Pfaff and Husqvarna Viking brands are owned by the same company these days.)

Sometimes you do better with painter's tape at 1/4 inch. I've had that guide jump over fabric and wind up on top. I have one for the Pfaff and usually grab the foot without the guide. I don't care for the clear guide, but do like the metal one. All of Pfaff's use the IDT.
Learn to use the markings on the foot. That will save you more hassle than the guide.
The regular foot on the 1500S is not a full 1/4 inch. I use it for scant. But no markings. A sharpie and the regular quilting foot as a guide fixed that.

So I broke down and bought the H/V brand metal 1/4" foot with guide. It took me a minute to get my sea legs with it but once I did I am very happy with the results. Much easier than the guide-less 1/4" foot I was using.

We got the first of 15 six inch blocks for the Underground Railroad Sampler quilt done. Of course we started with my beloved log cabin block. The finest quilt block ever conceived. I'm still nervous about piecing such tiny blocks but E.B. has never steered me wrong in the past and I'm sure she'll come through for me on this one too!

Doesn't your needle move? I bought a 1/4" for my machine and never use it. I like the foot that was on my machine, and have my default setting where it is exactly 1/4".

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Marebear

The 2 I have tried do fit on the machine, but the needle hole on the foot is not in the right place so the needle comes down on the metal part of the foot, therefore you can't sew with them. I have tried the 1/4 inch feet (generic).

---