I'm considering purchasing a Bailey 15" or 17" machine now that they also offer a stitch regulator. I've only come across one quilter who had a Bailey, so I'm seeking others' opinions. So, does anyone have a Bailey, know someone who does or did, or know of anyone's experiences with that brand? Thanks for any input.

I'll follow along as this is also one I'm considering. :D So far the only thing I've gleamed from different people is the service is excellent.

I too will follow along. Bailey's is very close by. I didn't know they had come up with a stitch regulator! Perhaps I will see them demonstrating at a show this year.

Join the homequiltingsystems group at http://groups.yahoo.com . It is a very active group and quite a few people there have Bailey's and would probably be willing to comment on them.

I have owned and used a Bailey 13" home quilting machine for just over 2 years. I am very satisfied with it.

Any questions - send me a PM please.

June

I have had a Bailey for a few months. I bought it used and have finished 4 quilts on it. I had very few problems learning to use it. The Yahoo groop is a great place for information:)

I have a Bailey 15 on a Gracie II. It's a very basic machine and I had to get used to it but for the cost it is a great machine. There is a group called baileymachines on yahoo that is helpful. The only problem I have with the group is some of the older(not age) members get frustrated with the same questions being asked, one time I asked a question and I was told to go search for it. Yes customer service is great. We purchased the stitch regulator about a year after we bought ours (it wasn't available at the time). We couldn't get it to work after fiddling with it for a time. Chuck sent us a brand new one and paid for having the defective sent back to him. I will say there is a lady on the Bailey group called Pat and she is full of knowledge on the Bailey. I don't regret our purchase.

I have the 15" and like it a lot, to be clear, it's NOT a stitch regulator like most people think of, it's a speed regulator, you sent the spped you want and push the button and it sews at that constant speed. A stitch regulator changes spped as you move the head at different speeds, if you stop moving it stops stitching, Bailey's does not, it keeps stitching till you hit the button. you still have the option of usuing the foot controller, the carriage has a hand lever but my hand would cramp in no time, oh let me backup, the carriage comes with the frame NOT the machine. I haven't spent enough time practicing freehand stuff, but I love pantographs and can do those pretty darn good! When finances permit I will be upgrading to something with more bells and whistles but for a learner the Bailey is great.

kathy -- Bailey's sells a "stitch regulator" (or so they call it on their site) -- is that what you are referring to?

I have a 15" Bailey that I use on a Little Gracie II frame. Overall, I'm pretty happy with it; the throat is plenty big enough for what I want to do. It's definitely a no-frills kind of machine, and when first using it, there is a lot of frustration. I also am not particularly happy with the stitch regulator, as it doesn't seem to "regulate" stitches very well. My first machine was a Juki with a Grace stitch regulator, and it regulated stitches perfectly -- it slowed down and speeded up as you did; the Bailey stitch regulator doesn't really do that very well, IMHO. But really, you can't beat the price for the Bailey, and generally, I'm pretty happy with it. I will definitely upgrade to something with more options and a better stitch regulator in a few years, though.

I'll follow along too.

Sorry I replied to this board, you all make me feel stupid.

I appreciate everyone's replies, and would welcome more. I am leaning toward buying the Bailey, but I want to do some more research about the stitch regulator, to find out if it's what I'm accustomed to using with my Juki. Thanks to everyone who replied, and the more replies, the better!

Oakie, you are not stupid. You are trying to learn..,

I have just a plain Bailey 13 but I did buy the GMQ Pro frame to use it on. I have no intention of upgrading my machine or adding stitch regulators, etc. My quilts all go to charities and no one cares about how long the stitches are.
I got it for my own use and have fun using it. Write to me if you like, I will try to help answer about the things I know. But as far as all the attachments, I don't want to know. I like things simple and I have wondered if all the "upgrades" have taken away from the simplicity of this machine, and perhaps caused some problems. After all, deep inside, the Bailey is really an old fashioned Singer at heart. Nothing fancy - nothing expensive.

Ask those who own other brands to share with you. There are some Tin Lizzies around. You are smart to do your research. Eight months was long enough for me and I have never regretted my choice.

June

What stitch regulator do you have on the Juki? If it's the Grace one, I can tell you that the Bailey stitch regulator doesn't work at all like it.

I was saying and typing stitch regulator when I meant speed control for a very long time. I thought they were the same thing.

Okie, how about you cut yourself and me some slack, we will get it right before long . . . please don't be offended.


Besides, before you know it somebody will come up with something else new for us to have to learn . . .

oh well, keeps things interesting.

Rivka, I do use the Grace Stitch Regulator. How does its performance differ from Bailey's? I've heard so much good stuff about Bailey's customer service - have you talked to them about your disatisfaction with the Stitch Regulator? I called him again today to talk about it, and he makes it sound like it fills the same purpose.

I too thought a stitch regulator was the same as cruise control so now I've learned something new also. :-D :-D

I'm thinking about a Bailey but would like to test drive it before I buy. And I mean not for 5 minutes at a show but some where I could try it out on a baby size quilt.

i have a bailey 15 pro on a hinterburg frame. and to answer the question of does it have a stitch regulator. YES it does it speeds up when you speed up and slows when you slow it does regulate the stitch's nicely, but did take some time to get all set right. i have had my bailey for going on 3 years now and the stitch regulator for about a year and i love them, great machine for the money i don't regret my choice

Calico, fundamentally it works the same as the Grace one, in that it speeds up and slows down as you do (theoretically). Remind me -- does the Grace Sure Stitch come to a full stop if you stop moving? The Bailey one does not do that. And frankly, I don't find that it follows my speed correctly -- you have to move at the same pace, which to my mind, sort of negates the point of having a stitch regulator.

I don't believe the Grace stitch regulator comes to a full stop when I do. I usually cut it off at the switch when I want to stop, so guess that wouldn't be much of a change if I went with the Bailey.

Kathy,
Thanks for clarifying that it's not a stitch reg, but a speed reg. Big difference, in my book.

Are there any dealers for the bailey if not how do you get to buy them.

I have the Bailey Pro 15. It sits in it's own custom made table. I had it on a frame but due to Mr. Arthur Itus moving in and taking up residence in my lower back. My husband built my table for me.
Mr. Bailey said the stitch regulator is for use only with the machine that sits on a frame. So if you wanted his latest invention of the sewing table a Bailey can sit in you don't need it.

I absolutely love my machine, and you can't beat the quality of this machine. Nor the customer service, Mr. Bailey is so helpful with any question you ask.

Bailey
 

Git your PM's chase thanks for your info and input.

Got your P.M's guess I should edit my replies. LOL

I have a 17" Bailey with the regulator. I have no issues with the machine and it is a workhorse. It sits on a Majestic frame which does take up space but I love it. If you plan on doing ruler work go for the 17" because the lolipop base takes up some space. I like my Baily a lot.

I've looked at Bailey ads & went 2 their website but I couldnt tell if you can use it as a sit down-like a sweet 16. I am trying 2 quilt on mydomestic machine but would love 2 have the xtra throat space. I dont have a frame-just want a set-up like a normal sewing machine.

I have had the 17" Bailey for about three years and love it. The stitch regulator is not the best in the world...I still don't get perfectly sized stitches. I almost think if I had to do it again I wouldn't have spent the extra $$ on that. Developing even speed while free motion would do the trick. I love the machine because : 1. the price 2. it uses any thread I put on it 3. the customer service is awesome. 4. it does any size quilt. 5. the groups are wonderful....any problem can usually be solved ( and there are very few problems with mine.

Oh & the other 1 I've looked @ is APQS "George." Its a sit-down w a 20" throat space but pricier than some others.

And if you do decide you want the lollipop, I have a 17" for sale. Decided ruler work is not for me!

Go to their website and call and talk to Chuck. I bought a classroom model which was a little cheaper.
http://www.baileyssewingcenter.com/

They have a sit down version now.

I took my Bailey off the frame and had it put into a desk my husband built.

http://www.baileyssewingcenter.com/ This is a small family business that you deal with them directly. Very wonderful to work with. My aunt had been down to their store before. She took me down today after I had searched their website online (at her suggestion). I just bought a 17" that was a classroom model. I am hoping the rain stops long enough so I can get it in the house!

Hi, I have a Bailey Pro 15. I like it and it has a stitch regulator. Call and talk to Chuck.

Facebook has an active "Bailey Home Quilter group".
The Bailey Home Quilter is made by a small family firm in New York state. They are available in 13", 15", 17", and now 20". You'll need a frame with an upper carriage, as the machine has no wheels. It's a great starter machine. No bells and whistles, ( not even needld up/ down), but totally mechanical, so easy to maintain yourself, and no computor boards to need replacing.
I first owned a Bailey in 2012 and used it as a sitdown quilter set into a counter using the foot pedal Then l got a frame and used the basic setup with handles that have a speed control. Later, when we started going to our place in Florida for winter, l got another one, used this time, a 13" and it had the Sew Control regulator which had the sensors, a good but not great regulator system ( easy to outrun). After covid, we sold our place south, and hubby asked me if l loved quilting enough to buy a big longarm. Of course l said yes! So l sold the one l had in Canada as well as the one in Fla., and now own a Q 21 R longarm on a 10' continuum 2 frame. All that l learned using my Bailey machines made the transition so easy! Where others havd been too scared beginning, l jumped right in and started quilting! I now am a volunteer longarmer for Quilts of Valour and also have done some lovely fundraisers. I owe it all to my Bailey beginnings!