Baby Lock Journey vs Bernina 790
 

I have a basic Singer machine and I am looking to buy a new machine primarily used for quilting and would have embroidery capabilities. I have already researched quite a bit online and visited a couple shops and am looking to buy a Baby Lock Journey or a Bernina 790. I could get a pretty good deal on either (with the Bernina being a 2 month old floor model). The Baby Lock has 11.25" work space and has a lot of other great features. The Bernina has a 10" work space, also with other great features but not as many embroidery features as the Journey (I think). The Bernina seems like it is a better quality machine overall. I like both shops I visited and they both have on-site technicians if I would need to bring it in. Any thoughts that could really help sway me one way or the other- like what the embroidery would be like- or any other thoughts?? Does the 1.25" make that big of a difference with big projects?

I don't think that inch or so makes much difference.
I only know Berninas and love mine. But I've heard the Babylock is good too.
You will get lots of help here.
But I do love my Bernina and would buy another in a heartbeat if needed.

Oh- welcome to the board! :)

One difference between the two machines is the bobbin/hook system. I'm sorry if this offends anyone, but I see too many of those drop-in bobbins jam when you try to do anything heavy -- like bindings, denim or multiple layers. I have one student who bought a high end Babylock and has had to send it back twice because she broke the plastic needle bar part while sewing on a binding.

Does the Journey have the scan and digitize feature built in? The Bernina has an embroidery software upgrade that costs $700 to $900 to add. The 790 has the built-in dual feed (like a walking foot).

Just some things to think about.

I have the brother version of the unity(a step above the journey) and spent an entire day on the 7 series bernina the 765 I believe without the embroidery and much prefer my brother honestly. I don't feel the quality is different. i have had my machine a little over 5 years and it has been superb. The bernina was so difficult to work with and I had a lot of tension issues. I was just so disappointed in it overall not to mention the prices of accessories are outrageous in m opinion. I also have used a 5 series as well and wasn't impressed with that either. I used my machine right out of the box no classes. and it does just beautiful work. I have made thick bags, quilts, a pageant dress it really does beautiful on everything

My machine handles thick items like a champ and does binding beautifully. The vseries machines( crescendo, aria, journey and unity) have great piercing power, and the muvit foot(dual feed) is my absolute favorite feature. I have all the accessories for it. It is worth getting the machine for that feature alone IMHO, even piecing with it is superb

muvit foot does 10 layers of denim, perfect stitching as well

Welcome to the board! :)

I would look into the comparable Brother machine to that Babylock. You'll pay less money and get features the Babylock doesn't have.

Cari

I have the Babylock Crescendo and like it very much. I went with Babylock because the headquarters are local, therefor the service is very good, and convenient. We no longer have a Bernina dealer in town, so that brand is just not in my future (although I do have an old 1120 that I will never part with)