Babylock Zeal vs. Bernette 05 Academy Firsthand Reviews
03-18-2023, 08:51 AM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Mankato, MN
Posts: 76
Babylock Zeal vs. Bernette 05 Academy Firsthand Reviews
I'm looking to buy a new mechanical sewing machine that is $500 or less for quilting, alterations, and household sewing.
The Babylock Zeal and the Bernette 05 Academy look like they fits what I need and I would love to hear if any of you love them or hate them.
The Babylock Zeal and the Bernette 05 Academy look like they fits what I need and I would love to hear if any of you love them or hate them.
Last edited by RosieQ; 03-18-2023 at 09:02 AM. Reason: Additional information
03-18-2023, 10:36 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: NY Adirondacks in Summer and goes "South" to WNY in the winter!
Posts: 480
I recently took a friend to get her machine repaired at my LQS. I completely trust them especially their service people. Anyway, they told her that her old singer would be $150 just to look at it. So she asked, how much for a new one.? ( no pressure on their part) They sell both these models along with Juki’s and of course Bernini's. Her limit was also $500 although she never told them. She asked which was the better machine. Of course he said they were both good but in the end, thought the BL Zeal was a better built machine. The Bernetye used
03-18-2023, 10:39 AM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: NY Adirondacks in Summer and goes "South" to WNY in the winter!
Posts: 480
I recently took a friend to get her machine repaired at my LQS. I completely trust them especially their service people. Anyway, they told her that her old singer would be $150 just to look at it. So she asked, how much for a new one.? ( no pressure on their part) They sell both these models along with Juki’s and of course Berninas. Her limit was also $500 although she never told them. She asked which was the better machine. Of course he said they were both good but in the end, thought the BL Zeal was a better built machine. The Bernette’s use more plastic parts from what I understand. She got the Zeal for around $400 all in I think.
hope this helps.
hope this helps.
03-18-2023, 11:41 AM
#4
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Mankato, MN
Posts: 76
I recently took a friend to get her machine repaired at my LQS. I completely trust them especially their service people. Anyway, they told her that her old singer would be $150 just to look at it. So she asked, how much for a new one.? ( no pressure on their part) They sell both these models along with Juki’s and of course Berninas. Her limit was also $500 although she never told them. She asked which was the better machine. Of course he said they were both good but in the end, thought the BL Zeal was a better built machine. The Bernette’s use more plastic parts from what I understand. She got the Zeal for around $400 all in I think.
hope this helps.
hope this helps.
03-18-2023, 03:20 PM
#5
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 122
I can only respond about the Zeal. I have had mine for 3 years and love it. It is the machine I take to classes, and until my husband purchased a machine that I use for quilting & embroidery I used it at home also. I find it easy to use and very strong. I can go through thick and thin fabrics with ease. I feel like I can really count on my Zeal to work well when I am piecing.
Last edited by Reader1; 03-18-2023 at 03:24 PM.
03-19-2023, 06:01 PM
#7
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Mankato, MN
Posts: 76
I can only respond about the Zeal. I have had mine for 3 years and love it. It is the machine I take to classes, and until my husband purchased a machine that I use for quilting & embroidery I used it at home also. I find it easy to use and very strong. I can go through thick and thin fabrics with ease. I feel like I can really count on my Zeal to work well when I am piecing.
