Monday, March 24, 2008

Ode to My Huskystar 224

I've had my sewing machine for 3 years now and it has never once let me down. I bought it with some money I had saved one summer and an extra $100 I made from a garage sale. At this point in my "quilting career" it has all I need. You'd be amazed at some of the machines out there that do some pretty crazy things and cost mucho dinero, but this humble Huskystar 224 (a descendant of the Viking - Husqvarna brand) keeps me happy.

There's a new line of Huskystars now, but I've heard from others that the "older models" are more powerful... plus I think the 224 just plain looks better. Some of my favorite features it boasts are its speed controls, one-step button hole foot, needle-stop up or down option, top loading bobbin, and automatic needle threader. You should hear this baby quietly purr as it stitches along.

Someday I will probably move on from my humble machine, but for now, I am proud of its every stitch!

19 comments:

Melissa said...

Oooh, I'm so green with envy!

Jen said...

I have what I'm sure is a vastly inferior sewing machine that I got for Christmas a couple of years ago and, I am ashamed to admit, I have not used it once. I'm not sure that I've sewed much of anything since home ec in 6th grade - maybe something in high school - and I can't remember how to get the machine set up! (Nor do I know where my manual is). You'll have to teach me some sewing machine tricks so I can expand my horizons beyond just knitting.

Sarah said...

Well you need to get it out, my friend! Bring it into work and we'll spend our breaks out back in the sweatshop/library.

Heath and Thais said...

Much like your friend Jen I had a sewing machine gifted to me three years back and have yet to take it out of the box. You'll have to lead a Sewing 101 workshop sometime soon. By the way, love the new look of the blog.
-T

Lauren said...

I love my Viking...and will forever love your reaction when I got it:)

Sarah said...

Truly, Lauren, that was one of life's great moments..which sounds pretty pathetic, but it SO wasn't.

HeidiG said...

I think I've only once in my life thought about sewing machines. It was in home education in jr high, and we had to sew a pillow to pass the class. Anyway. your machine is lovely. Um.

Anonymous said...

I too have a Huskystar 224 and totally love it. My only issue I have had with it is that once in a while it will only sew in like fast, short burst, then I have to life up on the peddle and put it back down again. After some time of sewing like that, it will go be to sewing normal, in mid stitch. I took it in, but then it started sewing normal (right of the bat). So they couldn't fix what wasn't broken.

But I still love it. Ps. do you know what stitch I use for a rolled him?

Anonymous said...

I,too, love my 224. It's the best machine I've ever had. Unfortunately, our sewing shop has gone to Pfaff and is no longer supplying husky items.
Does anyone know where I can get bobbins for my husky 224???
Thanks.

Sarah said...

Yvette,
I've gotten replacement bobbins from JoAnn Fabrics before. I think that I just got the Dritz Plastic Class 15 Bobbins and they seem to work just fine!

wunschlos said...

I have that same model (Huskystar 224) and it is an awesome machine!
I just recently upgraded to a newer Viking embroidery machine so my little Husky is for sale.
Anyone interested can contact me at-
wunschlos@gmail for photos.
($200 + shipping) SE Iowa

Anonymous said...

I was doing house cleaning and vacuumed up the inside of my bobbin.where can i get a replacement .would you call that the housing ...casing... or bobbin holder?

Sarah said...

Hey Lisa,
I think it is called the "bobbin holder" or "bobbin case." It looks like the Huskystar 224 needs Viking Bobbin Case #627569209. The best bet would probably be to go to your local sewing machine/vacuum shop and have them order it or let you know a reputable place to get it. Or, you could type it into Google and see what you get. Good luck replacing it!

Valentine said...

Can you please tell me if this model is considered "low shank" or "high shank"? Thanks.

Beth Lemon said...

I have this same machine and I love it.

Unfortunately the manual has disappeared somewhere inside my house and I do not know how to sew a buttonhole or put in a zipper.

I don't want to buy a new one. :(

Anonymous said...

for Beth Lemon,

this is a link to a pdf version of the manual. hope it works for you :)

http://sewingcenter.us/vmchk/Viking-Model-Huskystar-224/Viking-Sewing-Machine-Huskystar-224-Manual/flypage.tpl.html

Anonymous said...

does anyone know where i can get different feet for the 224 model

Anonymous said...

I also have the Huskystar 224 and
have purchased several presser feet on ebay, mostly for quilting, but one or two for hemming. The price was right and they work great!

Anonymous said...

I hope you will see this comment and be able to reply to me. I love my Huskystar - have it for over 10 years. However, the bobbin case has started bobbing up and down now. Do you know what keeps the bobbin case snug in the machine??? I don't want to buy a new machine, just fix this one. Thank you.My email is mariam.jarrar@yahoo.com