OOOOH OOOOH ! I have the Avante!!!! And I LOVE it!!!! I've had it......3 or 4 years! I can't remember!
I don't think they're any harder than any other machine. It's LIGHTWEIGHT.....I've test drove all the brands and I STILL think this is the best....because it's so lightweight. I can actually move the head with 1 finger!!!! On edit.....I don't have the computer..The computer DOES make the machine heavier.
I don't have tension problems any more!!!!!!!!!! NOTE the any more. I fought this sucker for the first 1 1/2 yrs or so.....and I was furious! I had the dealer/repairman finally come to my house after 2 times of taking it in. He immediately saw the problem. The back rollers were TOO HIGH. He moved them down .....said the fabric would move up and down and "saw" at the thread. NO problems since then. (the funny part....HE was the one that set up the machine!!!!)
I bought the maintenance program.....but I'm not sure you will need it!!! They're pretty darn forgiving. They only require oiling in one place and you access that from the outside. Find out how much a yearly cleaning will cost and see if that works for you.
Get the longest table you can fit in your room.......believe me....you'll definitely want to try out the BIG quilt.
I know nothing about the Babylock
Now here's my advice for ANYONE that wants to buy........Buy one that has a dealer/repairman NEAR you!!! I was babysitting a different brand for a friend......it was a piece of cr##....and the dealer/repairman was 4 hrs away. That is a pain in the neck!!!!!!
Oh -- HQ has online videos that help a LOT.....and if you can afford it, they have an "academy" in Utah!!!!
Good luck......have fun......and ENJOY
Last edited by amandasgramma; 03-31-2014 at 02:46 PM.