My only Baby Lock is my serger. It is plastic on the outside, but it is very heavy and solid. It does beautiful sewing, and is so very easy to thread and change to sew different types of seams. I would never buy a different brand of serger. I debated over buying the Crescendo, but my LQS had a great deal on the Janome Horizon 8900, so I bought it last year. I have heard a lot of praise on the Janome machines on this board. It does wonderful work too. My suggestion is to try out different brands of machines. Then you can buy the one that "feels" right. I think you will be happier this way. I have a Brother 1500, Janome Horizon 8900, Bernina Artista 180, and a Singer Featherweight. I love them all.