The Husqvarna Viking Designer line is a family of computerized sewing-and-embroidery machines that spans from approachable mid-range models up to large, feature-heavy flagships. The line has been around for decades (Designer branding goes back to the late 1980s) and still targets sewists who want embroidery plus a strong sewing machine in one body. Official model information is on husqvarnaviking.com.
How to read the Designer series
Across the range you will usually find touchscreen controls, large embroidery fields on higher models, automatic tension options, strong lighting, and mySewnet connectivity on machines that support it. What changes as you move up is workspace, screen size, stitch/design counts, hoop size, and convenience tools such as laser guidance or advanced foot control. Exact feature lists are long, so use the comparison table at the bottom for the full grid and the notes below for who each model suits.
Models covered here
- Designer Epic 2
- Designer Ruby 90
- Designer Sapphire 85
- Designer Topaz 50
- Designer Topaz 40
- Designer Jade 35
Designer Epic 2
The Designer Epic 2 sits at the top of this group. It pairs a large 10.1 in touchscreen with Integrated Dual Feed for feeding layered fabric more evenly, plus an adjustable laser guide for aligning decorative stitches, quilting lines, and edges. Stitch capacity is high (over 840 stitches, up to 54 mm / about 2.1 in wide), with a fully automatic needle threader and a smart multi-function foot control so you can trigger functions such as thread cut or reverse without taking both hands off the work. This is the pick when you want the most guidance and automation in the Designer lineup and are ready for flagship pricing.
Designer Ruby 90
The Designer Ruby 90 is a large sewing-and-embroidery machine with a big touchscreen, a wide sewing area, automatic thread cutter, needle threader, and self-adjusting tension. It is aimed at sewists who want high-end workspace and embroidery capacity without every Epic-level exclusive. For a focused head-to-head with the Sapphire 85, see our Ruby 90 vs Sapphire 85 comparison.
Designer Sapphire 85
The Designer Sapphire 85 is close to the Ruby 90 in role, with a slightly smaller workspace and screen, and a lower price. Expect a large stitch and embroidery library (around 680 decorative stitches and hundreds of embroidery designs), sewing speeds up to about 1,000 spm, roughly 250 mm / 10 in to the right of the needle, and an 8 in color touchscreen. Function buttons cover the usual needle up/down, start/stop, and presser foot controls. It is a strong choice if you want Designer-class embroidery without paying for every Ruby upgrade. See also Ruby 90 vs Sapphire 85.
Designer Topaz 50
The Designer Topaz 50 sits below the Ruby/Sapphire tier while still offering a substantial embroidery field of 360 x 200 mm (14¼ x 8 in), roughly 261 stitches, and about 150 embroidery designs. A color LCD touchscreen and USB/mySewnet options make design transfer and customization practical for home studios. Choose it when you want a larger hoop and more sewing space than the Topaz 40 without stepping into Ruby pricing. Detailed split: Topaz 50 vs Topaz 40.
Designer Topaz 40
The Designer Topaz 40 is the more affordable Topaz option for sewists moving into computerized embroidery. It has a smaller touchscreen (about 3 in), around 208 stitches, embroidery fonts, a built-in needle threader, and a smaller embroidery field than the Topaz 50. It is a sensible step up from basic sewing machines if your designs fit a mid-size hoop and you want Designer software/accessory compatibility. See Topaz 50 vs Topaz 40.
Designer Jade 35
The Designer Jade 35 is the most approachable embroidery combo in this list. Expect about 120 built-in stitches, around 70 embroidery designs, an embroidery area of 240 x 150 mm (9½ x 6 in), and roughly 200 mm / 8 in of sewing space. Convenience features typically include a needle threader, automatic thread tension, and a thread cutter. It suits sewists who want real machine embroidery without buying a large Topaz or Sapphire machine. Tradeoff: smaller hoop and fewer designs/stitches than the models above.
Designer series comparison table
Use the table below to compare workspace, embroidery fields, stitch counts, screens, and accessories across Epic 2, Ruby 90, Sapphire 85, Topaz 50, Topaz 40, and Jade 35. Start with hoop size and sewing space, then decide how much automation and screen help you need. Soft US pricing for this range spans from roughly the low-to-mid thousands for Jade/Topaz-class machines up into five figures for flagship Epic configurations, depending on dealer kits and availability.
| FEATURES | EPIC 2 | RUBY 90 | SAPPHIRE 85 | TOPAZ 50 | TOPAZ 40 | JADE 35 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mySewnet Subscription Compatible | Yes, mySewnet Library tab on-screen | Yes, mySewnet Library tab on-screen | Yes, mySewnet Library tab on-screen | - | - | - |
| On-Screen Memory Capabilities | mySewnet Cloud and USB Embroidery stick | mySewnet Cloud and USB Embroidery stick | mySewnet Cloud and USB Embroidery stick | My Files + USB Embroidery Stick | My Files + USB Embroidery Stick | USB Embroidery Stick |
| mySewnet Cloud Storage | ● | ● | ● | Computer access only | Computer access only | Computer access only |
| mySewnet Blog | ● | ● | ● | - | - | - |
| Design Positioning – Match your embroideries perfectly every time | Full MySewMonitor App assistance | Full MySewMonitor App assistance | Full MySewMonitor App Assistance | Basic | Basic | - |
| Transfer Designs with WiFi and mySewnet cloud sync tool | ● | ● | ● | - | - | - |
| Updates via Internet | Through WiFi or USB Embroidery Stick | Through WiFi or USB Embroidery Stick | Through WiFi or USB Embroidery Stick | Via USB Embroidery Stick | Via USB Embroidery Stick | Via USB Embroidery Stick |
| HUSQVARNA® VIKING® Apps | MySewMonitor QuickDesign JoyOS ADVISOR | MySewMonitor QuickDesign JoyOS ADVISOR | MySewMonitor QuickDesign JoyOS ADVISOR | JoyOS ADVISOR (Limited Capability) | JoyOS ADVISOR (Limited Capability) | JoyOS ADVISOR (Limited Capability) |
| EXCLUSIVE SEWING ADVISOR | Yes, extended with JoyOS ADVISOR Feature | Yes, extended with JoyOS ADVISOR Feature | Yes, extended with JoyOS ADVISOR Feature | ● | ● | ● |
| EMBROIDERY ADVISOR | Yes, extended with JoyOS ADVISOR Feature | Yes, extended with JoyOS ADVISOR Feature | Yes, extended with JoyOS ADVISOR Feature | - | - | - |
| Quick Help System Directly on Screen | Quick Help, Index Help | Quick Help, Index Help | Quick Help, Index Help | Quick Help | Quick Help | - |
| On-Screen Accessory Guide | ● | ● | ● | - | - | - |
| Dual Feed Technology | Integrated Dual Feed Technology Built-in | Interchangeable Dual Feed Included | Interchangeable Dual Feed Included | - | - | - |
| Extended Dual Stitch Plate | Guidelines up to 65mm on both sides of the needle | Guidelines up to 65mm on both sides of the needle | Guidelines up to 40mm on both sides of the needle | Guidelines up to 40mm on both sides of the needle | Guidelines up to 40mm on both sides of the needle | Guidelines up to 40mm on both sides of the needle |
| Adjustable Laser Sewing Guidance | ● | - | - | - | - | - |
| Exclusive Stitch Techniques | 6 | 5 | 5 | - | - | - |
| Built-In Stitches | 844 | 817 | 680 | 261 | 208 | 120 |
| Programmable Sewing Fonts | 5 Can also be embroidered | 5 Can also be embroidered | 5 Can also be embroidered | 5 | 4 | 2 |
| deLuxe Stitch System | ● | ● | ● | - | - | - |
| Electronic Self-Adjusting Thread Tension | Plus deLuxe Stitch System | Plus deLuxe Stitch System | Plus deLuxe Stitch System | ● | ● | ● |
| Exclusive Sensor System | ● + Feed teeth drop with extra lift | ● + Feed teeth drop with extra lift | ● + Feed teeth drop with extra lift | ● | ● | - |
| Automatic Feed Teeth Drop | Sewing and Embroidery | Sewing and Embroidery | Sewing and Embroidery | Embroidery Only | Embroidery Only | Embroidery Only |
| Side-Motion Sewing | ● | ● | ● | - | - | - |
| Free-Motion Sewing | 3 Modes: Free-Motion Ruler Foot, Free Motion Floating and Free-Motion Spring Action | 3 Modes: Free-Motion Ruler Foot, Free Motion Floating and Free-Motion Spring Action | 3 Modes: Free-Motion Ruler Foot, Free Motion Floating and Free-Motion Spring Action | 2 Modes: Free-Motion Floating and Free-Motion Spring Action | 2 Modes: Free-Motion Floating and Free-Motion Spring Action | Free-Motion Spring Action |
| Stitch Positioning | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | - |
| Needle Positions | 37 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 |
| PBB (Perfectly Balanced Buttonholes) with Sensor One-Step Buttonhole Foot | 16 Buttonholes + 3 Eyelets + Sew on Button | 16 Buttonholes + 3 Eyelets + Sew on Button | 15 Buttonholes + 2 Eyelets + Sew on Button | 9 Buttonholes +2 Eyelets + Sew on Button | 7 Buttonholes +Eyelet + Sew on Button | 7 One-Step Buttonholes + Eyelet + Sew on Button |
| Straight Stitch Plate with Sensor | ● | ● | ● | - | - | - |
| Light Indicates Needle Stop Up/Down | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Stop Function | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Fix Tie-Off Function | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Stitch Pattern Re-Start | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | - |
| Speed Control | 5 Sewing Speeds | 5 Sewing Speeds | 5 Sewing Speeds | 5 Sewing Speeds | 5 Sewing Speeds | 5 Sewing Speeds |
| Taper Stitch Select Angles – Choose from 18 different angles | ● | ● | ● | ● | - | - |
| Directional Sewing – 4-way and 8-way | ● | ● | ● | - | - | - |
| My Stitches Menu | 100 MB memory available using WiFi/a USB stick | 100 MB memory available using WiFi/a USB stick | 100 MB memory available using WiFi/a USB stick | 24 memories | 20 memories | 1 memory |
| Stitches Displayed On Screen | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Stitches Displayed Actual Size | ● | ● | ● | - | - | - |
| Starting Point of Stitch Indicated On Screen | ● | ● | ● | ● | - | - |
| Twin Needle Setting | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Twin Needle Life View Dis played On Screen | ● | ● | ● | ● | - | - |
| Stitch Width Safety | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Adjust Stitch; length, width, mirror image side-to-side and end-to-end | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Ribbon Embroidery Attachment Capability | ● | ● | - | - | - | - |
| Add Grid to Screen for Placement | ● | ● | ● | - | - | - |
| Check Size and Placement before Embroidering | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Designs Included | 756 built-in designs | 651 built-in designs | 629 built-in designs | 159 built-in designs | 100 built-in designs | 70 designs on USB embroidery stick |
| Design Shaping | ● | ● | ● | - | - | - |
| Design Appliqué - Choose from shapes or alphabet and create appliqués on the screen | ● | ● | ● | - | - | - |
| Possibility to Embroider Buttonholes in the Hoop | ● | ● | ● | - | - | - |
| Embroider Decorative Stitches in the Hoop | ● | ● | ● | - | - | - |
| Baste in Hoop | 2 options | 2 options | 2 options | ● | ● | ● |
| Selective/Automatic Thread Cutter with Automatic Jump Stitch Trim | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | Automatic Thread Cutter |
| Design-Select – Select one or more embroideries for editing | ● | ● | ● | - | - | - |
| Change Design Stitch Out Order | ● | ● | ● | - | - | - |
| Load and View Multi-format Designs | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | - |
| Resize Design with Stitch Recalculation | ● | ● | ● | - | - | - |
| Scale Design | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Rotate Designs | One degree increments | One degree increments | One degree increments | One degree increments | One degree increments | 90 degree increments |
| Color Edit | Change design colors, change background color, select monochrome | Change design colors, change background color, select monochrome | Change design colors, change background color, select monochrome | Select to embroider in color or monochrome | Select to embroider in color or monochrome | Select to embroider in color or monochrome |
| Grouping of Designs – Create a group of selected designs on screen for editing | ● | ● | ● | - | - | - |
| Undo/Redo when Creating Design Combinations | ● | ● | ● | - | - | - |
| Color Block Sort – Eliminate color changes with a touch | ● | ● | ● | - | - | - |
| Color Block Merge – Eliminate color stops in large or combined designs | ● | ● | ● | - | - | - |
| Combine embroidery designs on screen | ● | ● | ● | Up to 10 designs | Up to 5 designs | - |
| Zoom and Pan | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | - |
| Cursor Mark On-Screen While Embroidering | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | - |
| Embroidery Speed | 1000spm | 1000spm | 1000spm | 800spm | 800spm | 700spm |
| My Hoops – Select hoops you own | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | - |
| Largest Hoop Size Available | 360x350mm (14¼”x13¾”) | 360x350mm (14¼”x13¾”) | 360x350mm (14¼”x13¾”) | 360x200mm (14¼”x7⅞”) | 240x150mm (93⁄5”x6”) | 240x150mm (93⁄5”x6”) |
| DESIGNER Imperial Hoop 360x260mm (14¼”x10¼”) Included | ● | ● | - | - | - | - |
| DESIGNER Royal Hoop 360x200mm (14¼”x8”) Included | - | - | ● | ● | - | - |
| DESIGNER Crown Hoop 260x200mm (10¼”x8”) Included | ● | ● | ● | - | - | - |
| DESIGNER Jewel Hoop 240x150mm (93/5”x6”) Included | - | - | - | - | ● | ● |
| DESIGNER Splendid Square Hoop 120x120mm (4¾”x4¾”) Included | ● | ● | ● | ● | - | - |
| DESIGNER Majestic Hoop 360x350mm (14¼”x13¾”) Enabled | Optional | Optional | Optional | - | - | - |
| Tapering in Embroidery Mode | ● | ● | ● | - | - | - |
| Multi-Size Embroidery Fonts | 8 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| HUSQVARNA® VIKING® USB Embroidery Stick | mySewnet Services | mySewnet Services | mySewnet Services | ● | ● | ● |
| Stitch Width | 9mm | 7mm | 7mm | 7mm | 7mm | 7mm |
| Automatic Bobbin Thread Pick-up | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Go To Exact Embroidery Stitch Number | ● | ● | ● | ● | - | - |
| Embroidery Time Countdown by Color | ● | ● | ● | ● | - | - |
| Step Through Embroidery by Color and Stitch-by-Stitch | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Select Designs from Thumbnail Pictures | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | - |
| Free QuickFont and Embroidery Software to Download | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | Embroidery INTRO Software Included |
| Electronic Piercing Power | 150 N | 150 N | 150 N | 90 N | 90 N | 60 N |
| Display Type | Large 10.1” (217x136mm) Full Color Capacitive Touch Screen with 180° viewing angle & high resolution (1280x800) | Large 10.1” (217x136mm) Full Color Capacitive Touch Screen with 180° viewing angle & high resolution (1280x800) | 8” (177x99mm) Full Color Capacitive Touch Screen, high resolution (1024x600) | 3.5” (70x53mm) Full Color Touch Screen | 3.5” (70x53mm) Full Color Touch Screen | 3.125” (72x35mm) Graphic Display Monochrome |
| Touch and Hold for Easy Handling of Designs, Files and More | ● | ● | ● | - | - | - |
| Screen Saver with Start Up Screen | ● | ● | ● | ● | - | - |
| Lock Screen Option | ● | ● | ● | ● | - | - |
| Sewing Surface to the Right of the Needle | 310mm (over 12”) | 310mm (over 12”) | 250mm (almost 10”) | 250mm (almost 10”) | 200mm (almost 8”) | 200mm (almost 8”) |
| “Snap On” Presser Feet | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Sew and Embroider With or Without Foot Control | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Multi-Function Foot Control Capability | ● | ● | ● | - | - | - |
| Instant and Permanent Reverse | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Lighted Thread Area | ● | ● | - | - | - | |
| Light System | Market leading LED light, with adjustable intensity | Market leading LED light, with adjustable intensity | LED technology with adjustable intensity | Rows of light emitting diodes (LED) | 3 LED | 3 LED |
| Needle Threader | Automatic | Automatic | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Multiple Languages | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Choose On-Screen Color Scheme | ● | ● | ● | - | - | - |
| Smart Save | ● | ● | ● | - | - | - |
| Separate Motor to Wind Bobbin While Sewing or Embroidering | ● | ● | ● | - | - | - |
| USB Connectivity | 2 USB Ports for Embroidery Sticks and optional accessories | 2 USB Ports for Embroidery Sticks and optional accessories | Embroidery Stick and optional accessories | Embroidery stick | Embroidery stick | Embroidery stick |
| Designed & Engineered in Sweden | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | Designed in Sweden |
| Sew with Embroidery Unit Attached | ● | ● | ● | - | - | - |
| Top and Bobbin Thread Sensor | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | Top Thread Sensor |
| Jam-Proof Rotary Hook | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Permanently Lubricated | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Slide-On Accessory Tray | Double Sided | Double Sided | Double Sided | ● | ● | ● |
| Machine Storage Included | Custom Fabric Soft Cover | Custom Fabric Soft Cover | Hard Cover | Hard Cover | Hard Cover | Built-In Accessory Compartment |
| Embroidery Unit Soft Bag | Included | Included | Included | Optional | Optional | Optional |