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LMB 03-04-2012 10:46 PM

Baby Lock Question
 
Before I show up at the dealer I have a question. Do they even make a baby lock under $1000 ???
I want to quilt on it and I would like a lot a pretty stitches. I have been looking at machines and reading everything I can find for weeks now. I just cant find any prices. I dont want to go into a dealer and look like a total idiot thinking they make a lower end machine, when all they make are ... well you know, too much for my income.

I read a lot of bad reviews about people who bought other brands and got lemons. I did not find that with baby lock. That's why I would like to see one up close... but I never was one to window shop if I couldnt afford to buy.

Thanks so much for your help.

gonnasew 03-04-2012 11:04 PM

Baby Lock has several fabulous machines within your price range. Naturally they will 'try' to sell you a higher end model. If you know what you must don't hesitate to tell them. The personel are friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. I've had nothing but good luck with mine, with certain models (I think all new machines) they offer free classes so you can actually learn all about it's features also free bobbins and needles for a specific time period. I highly recommend Baby Lock.

MaryLane 03-04-2012 11:06 PM

Yes, they do. I bought my DILs for her for well under $1000 and she loves it. She learned to sew on my BabyLock Ellegante. Hers doesn't have everything mine does but it is enough like it she felt comfortable with it. I thought it was a great machine.

A good salesperson will help you find the right fit. Ask about used/trade-ins. Lots of times they have them from people that upgraded.

kitsykeel 03-04-2012 11:24 PM

I had a Babylock (embroidery and sewing) which I dearly loved. Bought it used for $800.00 and it was so fun to use and dependable. Used it for a number of years until I tried to take it apart and clean it myself. What was I thinking. It was computerized and we are not supposed to mess with the insides. Well, I killed it and to bring it back to life would cost over $400.00 just for the part, not counting the labor. I sure do miss her, she was a jewel. So you can find a used one that will be a good one. Many people are able to upgrade and trade in their used ones. Good luck in your search.

CAJAMK 03-05-2012 03:57 AM

I am on my 3rd Babylock which is the Ellure Plus which I bought on Craigslist used for $400. I also bought (new) the Crafters Choice then upgraded to the Melody which I also still use. I am a Babylock fan all the way. Having a wonderful dealer really helps. He knows I don't have unlimited funds and works within my budget. Both my current Babylocks have all the bells & whistles I want and more. They are easy to thread, quiet and doing free motion quilting on either is a dream. I hope this helps.

LMB 03-05-2012 04:10 AM

Thank you all sooo much. Armed with that... I will be off to the dealer in few minutes here. I really need a new machine because my Grandmas old singer is sweet... but there is so much it does not do... and my 12 year old elna is about ready to fall apart. wish me luck!

Krystyna 03-05-2012 04:14 AM


Originally Posted by LMB (Post 5032236)
Before I show up at the dealer I have a question. Do they even make a baby lock under $1000 ???
I want to quilt on it and I would like a lot a pretty stitches. I have been looking at machines and reading everything I can find for weeks now. I just cant find any prices. I dont want to go into a dealer and look like a total idiot thinking they make a lower end machine, when all they make are ... well you know, too much for my income.

I read a lot of bad reviews about people who bought other brands and got lemons. I did not find that with baby lock. That's why I would like to see one up close... but I never was one to window shop if I couldnt afford to buy.

Thanks so much for your help.

I bought a Sofia2 which is both an embroidery machine and sewing machine with lots of nice stitches. It was well under $1000. However, if you just want pretty stitches, you can save a bundle with Brother's Project Runway Ltd Edition CE8080PRW at under $150! Tons of stitches. I picked one up for my FDIL's Christmas gift and liked it so much that I got one for myself.

Dizzy Dolly 03-05-2012 04:49 AM

I wish I can say I brought one under 1000 but I didn`t ... Mother brought her an heavyduty babylock for 300 and it does everythings ,heavy blue jeans ,, ect,. They have serverals that are under the that price .it all depend what you are wanting this machine to do and the functions you need .. Honestly I WILL NOT BE WITHOUT MY BABYLOCK MACHINES...... Good Luck

Rose Marie 03-05-2012 05:03 AM

Baby Lock Jane is way under $1000. It is a strait stitch machine that can be used on a long arm table. It is the same machine as the Brother 1500.
I have one hooked up to a stitch regulator on a long arm table. It is a very basic machine with a complicated threading and an under the machine bobbin which I do not like.
My favorite machine is a Viking Sapphire that is computerized and new costs $1100.

judylg 03-05-2012 05:23 AM

I really my Baby Lock QUILTERS CHOICE, I have had it over five years and not had any problems with it, other than the ones I created myself. In all honesty, if something were to happen to this machine, I would replace it with another Baby Lock, they are good machines in my books.

davis2se 03-05-2012 05:30 AM

Wow, I am sure in the minority here. I bought a Baby Lock Sophia - the original, not the 2 - about 3 years ago. That machine is the bane of my existence. I have used the emboidery feature 3 - yes three - times only, and every time I have used it I have ruined fabric and wound up taking it back to my dealer. The tension is ALWAYS screwing up, whether I'm doing regular sewing or trying to emboider - and it is impossible to adjust to correct once it messes up. I would try to sell it, but could not take someone else's money and give them that kind of problem. I'm actually heading to my dealer tomorrow to have it adjusted (a relatively pricey endeavor after the warrenty has expired) again tomorrow. After that I will use it only if my big Janome (which I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE) needs to go in for cleaning.

Rose Marie 03-05-2012 05:34 AM

I dont know how true this is but the shop that I bought my Baby Lock at said that they do not make machines just put thier name on other brands. My Jane is a Brother machine.

judi43 03-05-2012 05:54 AM

Brother makes the Baby Lock, I just bought the Symphony and it's beautiful. Just have to learn how to use it.

LMB 03-05-2012 07:02 AM

they arent open on Monday. Well poo. Guess I should have read their hours.

Melinda in Tulsa 03-05-2012 08:24 AM

Clarification on who makes Babylock. Babylock is made in the Brother Factory, under BL guidelines and specifications. Even tho they look very much alike, the spec's are alot different and so is the quality control, which is overseen by BL. So no...they are not a Brother Machine, only made in the same factory.

wilson 03-05-2012 08:33 AM

So is the Babylock supposed to be a better quality than the Brother or a cheaper quality? I am in the market for a new machine for quilting and there are the Bernina supporters that say that is the only way to go. I currently have an old Viking, but am wondering what brand machines of good quality are out there?

Rose Marie 03-05-2012 09:28 AM

Thanks for the info.
Brother is a good machine. I have a cheapy one that I bought on sale for 129 dollars over 5 years ago and it has never been to the repair shop.
Bernina is very expensive so cannot afford them.
I like my Viking very much and it is the machine I use the most. I love the auto start, no lifting foot lever. Also love the auto lift when in needle down mode, it just lifts the foot a little when you stop sewing so you can turn or do aplique easily.

quiltnmore 03-05-2012 12:25 PM

I started out with the Babylock Ellure Plus when a store owner was retiring for just over $1000 about 5 years ago. I bought a used Babylock Ellegante and could really see the difference with an entry level machine and an older top-of-the-line. You really do need a shop that supports you and your machine. I have also just bought a used Janome 11,000 and really like the fact that you don't have a bulky extra embroidery unit to deal with.

My advise is like the others, if you can't afford any more - then the sales people should be able to help you pick one to suit your needs. But please, try out different ones to see what you like and what you Can't live without (auto threader, cutting jump stitches, 8 x 10 hoop, color screen, combining designs on the screen, usb type A port, larger harp area to fit a quilt, etc.)

Remember, if you have not done machine embroidery before, you need stabilizers, many embroidery threads, possibly special bobbin thread, and things you might not think about adding $$ to our habit/hobby.

Best wishes

karenpatrick 03-05-2012 12:30 PM

I have a BabyLock Ellure Plus that I love. I has lots of decorative stitches, embroiders like a dream and is a real workhorse. I bought it for $1500. Didn't mind paying for it because it's probably my last machine. I'm 66 next week.

quilter1942 03-05-2012 12:51 PM

I love my Baby Lock Quilters choice.

Dolphyngyrl 03-05-2012 04:38 PM

You can probably get a good used babylock quest for under 1000, they are really good and used to run about 1200 new before they were replaced with the serenade which has gotten mixed reviews, I think the quilter's choice is under 1000, but it might be called something else now. I would ask to see if they have any used machines, you should be able to get one of the higher end models that they no longer make at a discount. If you can get a used espire under 1000 it is a machine I highly recommend. I paid 1800 about 2 years ago and it has been replaced with the symphony now which I think run about 2500 and also get good reviews. audrey is around 399 great machine for classes but has a small harp so not great for FMQ. Either way babylocks are very solid machines. I had a teacher that had every brand out there, and she said the only machines that she felt were up there in quality with the berninas were the babylocks. I haven't had any others to compare, but have never had any trouble from my babylock, and it is a little workhorse.

bmanley 03-05-2012 05:10 PM

I love my Baby Lock Espire. Got it from someone on this board for $650.00. Well worth the money. Good luck on your purchase and hope you have lots of fun.:)

Melinda in Tulsa 03-05-2012 05:20 PM


Originally Posted by wilson (Post 5033171)
So is the Babylock supposed to be a better quality than the Brother or a cheaper quality? I am in the market for a new machine for quilting and there are the Bernina supporters that say that is the only way to go. I currently have an old Viking, but am wondering what brand machines of good quality are out there?

Babylock standards are higher than Brothers.

MadQuilter 03-05-2012 05:37 PM

I have a Baby Lock Espire (now sold as the Symphonie) and I love my machine. She is such an easy-going no frills lady - it's amazing. Now admittedly, she was pricey but she has been worth the money to me. The only thing I miss is a built-in walking foot. I know that some of the models now have that available. It is the only reason I would trade her in but for now, Quilla and I are very happy together.

Someone asked about the quality: Baby Lock has the higher quality and the better warranty compared to Brother. Although, I have had a Brother lower end machine and she was well-behaved too.

Rosie the "Ripper" 03-05-2012 08:01 PM

I bought a BabyLock from a fabric shop that teaches classes. Once a year the put all the "class" machines on sale. They cost much less used and they completely overhauled it, cleaned it and it has a one year warranty on it from the shop. I took the free lessons three times and can take them over and over again. They are extremely helpful. I love the machine and don't really think mine is any different from a brand new one. Haven't had one problem since I bought it. It is a Baby Lock Quilters Choice (which is the updated Melody) and I pain $600.00 for it.

kathdavis 03-05-2012 08:37 PM

I was told by the people at Brother that Brother and Baby Lock are made at the same place and are the same machines. Most of the Baby Locks have a twin Brother machine. I have the Brother Innovis 2000 Laura Ashley which is the same as Baby Lock's Symphony. It is the same exact machine. I've sewed on both of them. I also have the Brother D950 which is the same as Baby Lock's Sofia.


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