Babylock Jane
 

Does anyone have or have used a Babylock Jane? It is a straight stitch machine, high speed, used for peiced, general sewing and quilting. I would like to know more about it and how you like it, also general price.

I don't have the Babylock Jane, but I just recently bought the Babylock Sophia and have been trying to learn it (will take lessons next week) but so far I like it a lot. And it is on sale here at the sewing machine shop (Denton Sewing Center, Denton TX.) for a good price. The price is very reasonable for a computerized machine that also does limited embroidery. If you call them ask to speak to Debbie....she is the owner with her husband. Kilgore is not that far from here.

Hi Texas Sunshine!
I have owned my BabyLock Jane for exactly a year this week- I really enjoy it and very happy I purchased it. Being a simple sewer (no embrodery, no fancy stitches, etc), my criteria was a large throat space (I want to start quilting my own stuff) and easy to use controls and have the needed feet be included. (My other criteria was price - but I was really naive in this area ( I thought I could get a new machine that meets my criteria for less than $400)

off I went to my JoAnn's (they have an Husquvarna store), and 2 local sewing machine stores to learn more. I was open to some bells and whistles . Anyway, I was impressed with most of the machines I played with but they were heavily computerized (I'm one of those people who sometimes prefer noncomputerized things for price of repairs) and I left wondering what in the world will I do with 400+ different type of stitches- is it worth the $1300 or more price tag? My last place I went to, I told the saleslady my thoughts about the multiple stitches and my other findings from shopping and she actuallly listened to my definite criteria and my future plans for sewing. She showed me the Jane- it is simple to use- it's mechanical (so no worrying about computerized failures), has an 9 or 11" throat ( I forget now). The price was $800 here in PA-more than I originally thought I wanted to pay but concluded I was not being realistic after some searching. The sales lady said she had the Brother 5100- exact same machine (made by the same company- just a different name and uses it on her frame. decided to get Jane and never regretted it (even if the price was double what I thought I'd pay). My old machine has enough fancy stitches (that I never used in 10 yrs) if I get the desire to be fancy at one point. And, I literally just got back from retrieving a new quilt from LAQ and I am going to start learning how to quilt my own stuff (not just stitch in the ditch) for I am not happy with the results.

I highly recommend this machine. Yes, it came with alot of feet- no need to purchase anything. I also like it that I could purchase a large cone of thread and use the cone on the machine. Easy to oil also and the directions are pretty well written with the illustrations that match the written word.


Deb

You may want to check out allbrands.com for the Brother 1500. I have a Babylock embroidery machine and a 1500. I love the 1500 for piecing and quilting. They show 2 models. One has several add ons not included with the kess expensive one. Personally I would go with the more $$ one as it has free shipping (maybe no tax either) . The less $ ones says factory service which is usually a bad thing. The have great fast service. If you decide on this machine let me know by PM and I will send you extra bobbins. They are metal. For some reason I have way too many as I tend to use mostly neutral threads!

I have the Babylock Quilter's Choice Pro which is now called the Jane. I've been using as my primary machine for both piecing and FMQ for almost five years without a lick of trouble or issue. If something were to happen to my current machine, I would not hesitate to purchase the Jane.

I meant to say that factory service IS NOT usually a bad thing.

hi texas sunshine
i have a babylock jane which i purchased in December. it has been a real pleasure to use. making the decision to make that investment was tough - but i certainly don't regret it. i wanted a straight stitch machine with a large harp and a strong and fast enough motor that would make it possible for me to learn to fmq. my 40 yr old golden touch and sew is a nice little machine - but i felt that adding the burden of machine quilting to it was just not a good idea. up until now i have mostly done hand quilting and a little straight stitch quilting on my treadle and old singer. i cannot address the issue of bl vs brother 1500. for me, personally, it was a better decision to deal with a human dealer, who coincidentally sold other machine parts that i needed - reasonable prices and good advice. doing the math - i paid 725 for a floor model (with feet ex,table and what appears to be included with all janes) vs 600 on line. for me, it was worth it just to get the other parts i needed at reasonable prices.
lfty298