Husqvarna Viking Designer SE Limited Edition

I have had my Designer SE for just over 4 years. It is awesome. I feel bad for the people who apparently got defective machines because they will never experience what I have so enjoyed about this machine–nothing ever goes wrong.

This is only my second sewing machine (except for my mother’s treadle that I learned on). When I got married in 1978 I bought the best I could afford at the time: a Kenmore that had both a button-holer and zig-zag! (Woo Hoo–very high tech after the treadle) I used that machine for almost 30 years and it was a great work horse and a good friend, but stuff happened and I regularly had thread bunching up, etc., that had me spending time with the seam ripper, adjusting tension, etc. These things are all in the past for me now. It is a very rare thing for me to have any problems that require a re-do with the Designer SE and when I do it is always because I did something wrong (like the wrong presser foot) and not an issue that requires an adjustment to the machine.

I love experimenting with the decorative stitches, the lighting is excellent, and I know this shouldn’t be important but just the sound of this machine running is pleasing to me–like driving a precision automobile.

I have had the machine serviced as suggested but otherwise have not had to have anything done to it, and it gets quite a bit of use. I’ve sewn everything from multi-layered denim to very sheer fabrics and as long as I have the right needle and presser foot I’ve been thrilled with the results.

I wish I had more time to fully enjoy the embroidery functions but I have barely tapped into them. The few embroideries I have done have been quite lovely and with no technical problems but if money were no object I would probably get a multi-thread embroidery machine and just use this one for sewing.

The only negative I have to add here is that I do not find the automatic needle threader to be very helpful. It is hard to get it lined up right and even once you get the hang of that, you still seem to have to adjust the thread placement by hand. By the time I have done all that I could have threaded the needle by hand and been on my way sewing. My eyesight is not great but the white shank and great lighting make it pretty easy for me to just thread the needle by hand. I’ve heard that Baby Lock has an automatic needle threader that is really excellent–however, I tested a Baby Lock machine as a second machine and it just didn’t have the solid powerful feel that the Husqvarna has so even with the needle threader disappointment I would choose the exact machine that I have if I were doing this over again.

I purchase my DSE in 2006. I like the machine very much. Only in the shop for annual checkups. I had a problem with needles breaking, however, when I put it in the shop the problem was the machine needed alinement. Since then no problem. The embroidery is very good. And when it wasn’t it was me not following the instructions giving by the machine. It has taken me these four year to learn to use the machine and the embroidery and I still don’t know it all. I am alway online seaching for user info. I took a class earier this year…the best money spent.

This machine is a great one. I have the Designer #1, and I was sad to know that it is discontinued, I need some cards. The designer SE, is a good machine, I haven’t had any problems, so far… I do a lot of embroiders, and I am very happy with every results. You need to know how to operate this machine. Take some classes. The dealers will be happy to assist you.

Awesome

I love the Designer SE…however, I have to agree with the fact that there is no tech support and no way to contact Husqvarana about needs or issues. I have had the gear replaced in the embroidery arm (mostly covered by warrenty-I had to pay a hefty price for the labor) I am now having a time with the tension …will not adjust and have “loops” on both sides… Any suggestions? I can hardly bear the thought of another 6 wks in the shop….

I’ve had my Designer SE for 3 years. Only once had a problem with upper thread breaking. I re-threaded and it took care ofthe problem. Otherwise, sensational! Does an amazing job embroidering and sewing! My embroideries look totally professional. Love the selection of feet. It makes it so easy to do so many things! I get so many compliments on my sewing but it’s not me, it’sthe machine.

My first Husqvarna Viking bought 2008 was real lemon in the shop 14 months finally Sept. 9, 2009 got new SE and worked great for 3 and 1/2 months, went in for repairs Dec. 28, 2009, pick up bobbin thread, check bobbin, check upper thread, break thread, break needles. I got it back in Feb. 2010 embroidery 1 towel realized it wasn’t fixed, picked up bobbin thread and repeated check upper thread, breaking needles. Went back again got it back in March went back after another towel still same problem, with new problem the left stich is really bad. Got it back to store with same problem the Viking manager sent it to AZ for repairs April 4th and still not fixed. Call the manager today requested to either get this machine fixed by May 1, 2010 or return the amount that I have paid for all of the items to make this the most remarkably machine ever. I am disgusted, frustrated, mad and angry, I have about $10,000 tied up in this machine and have not used it enough to pay for the tread that I have purchased. The Viking store manager is excellent to deal with, she has beenoutstanding and wonderful, she is the only reason I haven’t sued them.

I’ve just spent $5000 on a new Designer SE last wk. I managed to get thru 2 sewing projects and then just today I started having trouble with the needle taking up the bobbin thread. I took the plates off an cleaned out the bobbin area, switched out the needle, rethreaded both the upper and lower threads, unplugged and restarted the machine several times too…but cant get the bobbin thread to catch to even form any stitch just sewing. I am very disappointed, if this machine is this touchy to perform simple tasks I dont want the headaches of tryin to troubleshoot it. My dealer shop is closed today, and I called the Viking hotline, my rep told me I’ve done all the troubleshooting that she would of told me to do and suggested I take it back to the dealer, I’m still within the 10 days to return it. So tomorrow mornin, I’m headed straight to the shop to return this. I plan to just keep on using my Viking 425 I’ve had for over 10yrs without any problems at all….Simple is just best.

have sewn with it as a regular sewing machine. Works great. Is there anyone out there that owns this machine and lives in suffolk county long island. I need a friend to talk to so that I can learn how to use the embroidery. Help. Thanks Rita email me at murph1105@yahoo.com

Love my Designer SE LE, and new to me. I’ve embroidered some beautiful designs, but I had not used the bobbin winder. Recently, I purchased this used Designer SE LE, after having the Designer 1 which was really a great machine. Since I am new to this new upgrade, I’m having problems just trying to fill a bobbin. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong! I read and re-read the instructions to no avail. The instructions say that once I push the bobbin winder lever towards the bobbin to wind, I should get a pop-up to adjust winding speed drag, then I should adjust the winding speed. I do not get a pop-up. So consequently, I can not wind a bobbin to save my life.

Any help will be appreciated…. sincerely Evita

I have an Designer SE, I took it in to be repaired in November and now it is lost by the company I have called and e-mailed and they say they will get back bt e-mail and havn’t. The machine had problems from the beginning , it kept switching stitches in the middle of my sewing and then breaking needles. The sewing machine store closed soon after I bought the machine so I just worked with the problem until the board went out . Now I have no machine and a foreign company who doesn’t care about the consumer who paid $6,000 for a sewing machine . I am ready to seek legal action. How can I get this company to respond to me

My Designer SE seems really temperamental. The main problems I notice with it are possibly programming ones - tonight I have just spent an hour trying to complete an embroidery and got about 1000 stitches into to the 21000 before I gave up. My chief problem is that it brings up the “check upper thread” error box when there is nothing at all wrong with the upper thread and frequently I find that it actually means “check the bobbin” which is really confusing. (Most of the problems I’ve had with it aren’t actually covered in the troubleshooting guide in the owner’s book so I end up going back to the shop I bought it from and they tell me what’s wrong straight away.)

It has been backwards and forwards to the shop around 8 times since I bought it (for just under £4000 in 2008 - so for that price I expected it to work flawlessly) and most of the time this has been because the embroidery unit has had problems. The sewing side of it is fine but the embroidery unit and the bobbin thread are my main annoyances - the embroidery unit works perfectly when it wants to but at other times it can be hard to get 100 stitches embroidered in one go.

I love my Designer SE LE. I sold my Scandinavia 400 (formally The Rose) and I’m very happy with this one. We do have problems with the internet connection but not sure whose problem that is with. Husband seems to think Husqvarna is the culprit. Technical help is non-existent. I received a special VIP card with my first machine, meaning that I could call Viking for free technical help. Well guess what? I couldn’t find a phone number to call for this wonderful free service! Now that’s funny…Wish the company would get its act together and provide better support. That is really my only complaint. Otherwise, the machine sews beautifully.

I bought HV Designer SE 18 months ago and have regretted it daily …It is a LEMON, constantly in for repairs but never actually “repaired”. Do not waste your money on this piece of junk.

I previously owned a Husqvarna Viking Designer 1 and the Rose before upgrading to the Designer SE. I’ve had it back to the dealer 3 times and it still doesn’t work right I believe this is the most expensive LEMON I’ve ever purchased I would never recommend a Husqvarna to anyone I spent 7900.00 The service from the dealer has been okay not great but the mfg has been a nightmare. Wish I didn’t trade in my Designer 1 thought upgrade would be great NOT a good thing. I’ll also NEVER buy another HV anything. I’ve spent way to much money.

Love my S L, have never had a problem. Stitch quality is excellent. The embroidery quality is wonderful. This machine is a better machine than the D1 by leaps and bounds, but when you upgrade your machine there is a learning curve and you the operator must also upgrade with the machine.

Have a D1 that is amazing. “Upgraded” to the SE LE and it has been in for repairs 5 times in 13 months. On it’s 3rd motherboard. Repairs take weeks or months. HV customer service is non-existent. The dealer has offered me the option of trading in toward another make and model. Trade in? Wha??? Spend MORE money? Now that this lemon has been discontinued the resale value must be lousy. Hate this machine.

A long-time Husqvarna owner I bought the SE after the D1 which was fabulous. The SE has had problem after problem and the replacement machine I was given is the same. The embroidery quality and general performance is inconsistent and extremely frustrating. I can’t see myself buying another Husqvarna, if and when I can afford to get rid of this one!

My husband just got this machine for me and it too was a lemon from the start. The woman that sold us the machine was just as terrible and she treated my husband horribly during the whole process. Fortunately we did get our money back and I do not plan to ever consider buying Husqvarna again.

I would like to support Hartzf8 - I also many years ago owned a Husqvarna sewing machine - and it was my dream to upgrade to a new embroidery machine - well my dreams are shattered - my machine has never worked correctly from day one - it has been in for “repairs” at least 6 times - and has just broken down AGAIN I have requested a new machine to no avail. It has turned into a very unproductive - expensive lemon.

Excellent. Really Amazing. I have used this over year and never get tired of making beautiful designs.

I previously owned a Husqvarna Viking Designer 1 and upgraded to the Designer SE LE. Apparently the machine I got was a LEMON as it has been in the shop for repairs 4 times in 9 months. I regret ever spending $7,000 for it and prefer to use my Designer 1. The service and support from Husqvarna has been reprehensible. I have been a Husqvarna sewing machine owner for over 50 years and I will NEVER buy another HV.

I’ve always been a loyal Pfaff user, but I wanted to see what else was out there. I went to all the local dealers in and around my city trying out the many wonderful machines until I fell in love with the Viking Designer LE. This machine does everything but clean the kitchen!

Stitch quality is exquisite, however the machine operator has a lot to do with that. The noise when embroidering is not loud. Auto trimming jump stitches is awesome. The ability to go to the stitch number when doing corrections is also awesome. In short, this machine is awesome all around :)