Baby Lock Jazz or Presto
 

I'm in the "thinking about it" stage of a new sewing maching. Two in particular I'm looking at are the Baby Lock Jazz 2 and the Baby Lock Presto 2, both at about the same price. I like the large throat space of the Jazz (I do my quilting, mostly straight line, on machine, I don't send them out to be long armed) but I also like the number of decorative stitches on the Presto. Any comments on either of these, pros or cons? And ideas on where to get one on sale?

Have you looked into the Babylock Allegro? It has the 12" throat space like the Jazz, but also has a bunch of decorative stitches. I can't remember the list price, but most folks who sell them are offering them at $1299.

Rob

I don't care about decorative stitches much, but I would also like to know about the Jazz. How is it with free motion and with walking foot quilting?

I have a Jazz II and have done a queen size quilt recently. I so ruler quilting, and the large throat space is great. It is a mechanical machine, the only speed control it has is you, but it’s a good basic machine. I’ve had it for three years with no problems.

I bought the Babylock Allegro, I love the 12" throat space. It has a lot of decorative stitches that I really like. I use it to FMQ and also for everyday sewing.

Aah, the best of two worlds, large throat space and decorative stitches. But way more than I can afford right now, even the $800 that I'm willing to spend on either of the other two is a bit of a stretch for me.

I didn't know that about the speed control, I'm glad you mentioned it. I'm surprised a machine at that price doesn't have speed control.

I've been reading reviews about the Jazz and I see so many complaints about the tension and other issues, so I'm having second thoughts about this one. The closest dealer to me is about 90 minutes away which makes getting repair work done a little more difficult. I'm finding very few reviews on the Presto, not sure if that's a good thing or bad thing,

I looked at the Jazz back in November. It was between that and the Juki 2010q. I came home with the Juki. I just didn't like the feel of the Jazz.

I love my Juki! I have no clue about the BL, but I do like my Juki. I've had it for 5 years now and quilted a lot of quilts on it and it performs very well. Basic straight stitch machine but it does that job well. The feet are sturdy and not snap on which I like and the machine in general seems very sturdy and well built.

Basic strait stitch machine - does this mean it doesn't do zigzag?

I just purchased a Jazz II and I am having Tension problems, does anyone know how to overcome this issue?

No zig zag

A Brother PQ1500 is a straight stitch machine, high shank, big space for quilting. similar in shape to the Juki, less expensive, easy to maintain. I have two of them.

This past year I learned that the computer boards in electronic machines can fail. I'd ask how the seller how they treat that kind of problem and if it is covered in the warranty. They'll probably say something like "That rarely happens," or "We've never have had that problem."

Berninas are especially prone to board failures. That said, yes, electronic boards (actually the components on them, particularly capacitors and especially electrolytic capacitors which are used for power circuits) have a finite lifespan. If a component fails, it depends on its purpose and place in the circuit whether there is "collateral damage" to other parts of the circuit board when it fails.