Babylock Spirit vs BL Escante
 

I posted earlier this summer that my daughter was interested in getting an embroidery machine. She was just about ready to buy the Brother Dreammaker only to learn they had to move from OH to MN. There is a Babylock dealer in her new town and she is trying to decide between the Spirit ($3,800) which has a color screen, can do 7x10 field and is like the Dreammaker -or- the Escante ($2,500), a combo machine, 6x10 field but no color screen. Personally, I think she would prefer the color screen and enjoy having a dedicated embroidery machine. When she tried out the Dreammaker, she was really excited. We would love to hear any comments about either machine. I have a Deco 600 from the mid-90s which I haven't used in years, so I'm not much help. :-)

I love my dreamweaver combo. I think the need for a separate is dependent on how much you sew and embroider.

In looking at the Babylock website, I think the combo machine must be the Esante, not Escante. I don't think it takes usb sticks which surprises me. I think I would want that.

USB, COLOR SCREEN. Sorry, I am not familiar with each. She should compare the models on the Babylock website.
sandy

I have a stand-alone PE750D Brother and the BL Unity which is a combination. My Brother was in the shop and I had only the Unity to embroider on. I love it, but realized my initial reaction that I could sew on one while the other was running was spot on.

Oh, and the color screen? now a must-have on my list. With the color screen I can watch as I go and frequently think "what idiot chose that color there" and change before stitching. JMO.

I should update...she ended up getting the Spirit and loves it. It must be very user friendly because she really hasn't "sewed" before! Now I'm hoping that she will be getting an actual sewing machine so she can do even more.