Babylock Jazz 2
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#11
marsharini , 03-22-2021 02:19 PM
Junior Member
TodayI’ve had my Jazz II for a year now and am totally satisfied with its performance, both sewing and FMQ. It’s a mechanical machine, so it obviously has a different feel than my electronic machine, but it does everything I need it to do and I love that I can now quilt my own queen or king quilts.
#12
MeadowMist , 03-22-2021 03:56 PM
Junior Member
Quote:
Marsharini - can you tell me what you mean by "mechanical machine?" I'm not familiar with that term. Originally Posted by marsharini
I’ve had my Jazz II for a year now and am totally satisfied with its performance, both sewing and FMQ. It’s a mechanical machine, so it obviously has a different feel than my electronic machine, but it does everything I need it to do and I love that I can now quilt my own queen or king quilts.
Thanks!
#13
ILoveToQuilt , 03-22-2021 05:31 PM
Super Member
I have the original Jazz and love it. Have had zero problems with mine.
Meadow: a mechanical machine is just that. There is no computer. You set stitch length, width, etc. by hand. Choose your stitch pattern by hand.Think of the older/vintage machines that have no computers; they are all "mechanical" machines. If you go to the Baby Lock website and put in Jazz or Jazz II, you will see a photo of the actual machine. Hope this explains it.
Meadow: a mechanical machine is just that. There is no computer. You set stitch length, width, etc. by hand. Choose your stitch pattern by hand.Think of the older/vintage machines that have no computers; they are all "mechanical" machines. If you go to the Baby Lock website and put in Jazz or Jazz II, you will see a photo of the actual machine. Hope this explains it.
#14
TequilaandQuilts , 03-23-2021 07:19 AM
Member
I ended up ruling out the Jazz 2 because I couldn’t find a speed control or stitch regulator for it. I’ll admit, I didn’t look to hard, but Grace says theirs doesn’t work.
#15
I'm following the discussion with interest. My Guild is raffling off a Jazz 2 this year among our members. Hopefully we won't pass on a problem machine.
#16
Nebraska Quilter13365 , 03-23-2021 09:40 AM
Member
Quote:
I like the fact that it is not computerized. I had some problems with tension when I first started using it, but I was reading the bobbin winding diagram incorrectly.
I too have a Jazz2 and like it. I have also heard that FMQ is better with feed dogs UP, but I haven't tried it yet. Originally Posted by cgsumter
I own the Jazz II but I have not had a lot of sewing time on it. It was not difficult to set up and it is capable of many more options other than straight stitch. I recently read some quilters say that they got better results free motion quilting when they left the feed dogs up. I do not remember where I read it.I like the fact that it is not computerized. I had some problems with tension when I first started using it, but I was reading the bobbin winding diagram incorrectly.
#17
Nebraska Quilter13365 , 03-23-2021 09:41 AM
Member
Quote:
I like the fact that it is not computerized. I had some problems with tension when I first started using it, but I was reading the bobbin winding diagram incorrectly.
I too have a Jazz2 and like it. I have also heard that FMQ is better with feed dogs UP, but I haven't tried it yet. Originally Posted by cgsumter
I own the Jazz II but I have not had a lot of sewing time on it. It was not difficult to set up and it is capable of many more options other than straight stitch. I recently read some quilters say that they got better results free motion quilting when they left the feed dogs up. I do not remember where I read it.I like the fact that it is not computerized. I had some problems with tension when I first started using it, but I was reading the bobbin winding diagram incorrectly.
#18
MeadowMist , 03-23-2021 02:58 PM
Junior Member
Quote:
Meadow: a mechanical machine is just that. There is no computer. You set stitch length, width, etc. by hand. Choose your stitch pattern by hand.Think of the older/vintage machines that have no computers; they are all "mechanical" machines. If you go to the Baby Lock website and put in Jazz or Jazz II, you will see a photo of the actual machine. Hope this explains it.
Yes, that explains it, thank you!Originally Posted by ILoveToQuilt
I have the original Jazz and love it. Have had zero problems with mine.Meadow: a mechanical machine is just that. There is no computer. You set stitch length, width, etc. by hand. Choose your stitch pattern by hand.Think of the older/vintage machines that have no computers; they are all "mechanical" machines. If you go to the Baby Lock website and put in Jazz or Jazz II, you will see a photo of the actual machine. Hope this explains it.
#19
Quote:
I bought mine for bag making - it's super heavy duty and I could sew saddle leather if I wanted to, but by changing the feed dogs and plate, I can sew fine fabrics, too. I make a bunch of rayon jersey blouses and stretch jeans every few months.
And in January, I set it up with a darning plate and started quilting with it - it's got almost 11" between the needle and pillar. Giant M bobbin, so I can quilt for a long time without running out. I wind the empty bobbin while I'm sewing and I don't have to remove the quilt to change when it runs out, again.
It's extremely quiet and VERY fast - I had to turn the speed way down in order to re-learn FMQ.
Base price was $995, but it came to almost $1200 with shipping plus the extra feet, bobbins, extra bobbin case and a couple of accessories I wanted for bags.
It took me an afternoon to set it up by myself, including carrying it upstairs. It came with holes pre-drilled, and clear assembly instructions in a video that went step by step.
You are pretty much on your own when you buy an industrial machine. I had refurbed enough vintage machines that I wasn't
intimidated at doing my own maintenance. They're actually very simple mechanical machines.
Shop around and see if that option appeals to you.
Kept in mind an industrial machine may not drop feed dogs if you want it for FMQ. Originally Posted by thepolyparrot
The idea of industrial machines is kind of scary, but if all you want is a machine with lots of throat space and gives you a great straight stitch and the ability to remove the feed dogs that doesn't cost an arm and a leg, an industrial might be the way to go.I bought mine for bag making - it's super heavy duty and I could sew saddle leather if I wanted to, but by changing the feed dogs and plate, I can sew fine fabrics, too. I make a bunch of rayon jersey blouses and stretch jeans every few months.
And in January, I set it up with a darning plate and started quilting with it - it's got almost 11" between the needle and pillar. Giant M bobbin, so I can quilt for a long time without running out. I wind the empty bobbin while I'm sewing and I don't have to remove the quilt to change when it runs out, again.
It's extremely quiet and VERY fast - I had to turn the speed way down in order to re-learn FMQ.
Base price was $995, but it came to almost $1200 with shipping plus the extra feet, bobbins, extra bobbin case and a couple of accessories I wanted for bags.It took me an afternoon to set it up by myself, including carrying it upstairs. It came with holes pre-drilled, and clear assembly instructions in a video that went step by step.
You are pretty much on your own when you buy an industrial machine. I had refurbed enough vintage machines that I wasn't
intimidated at doing my own maintenance. They're actually very simple mechanical machines.
Shop around and see if that option appeals to you.
