So Excited but So Scared!!! New Babylock Symphony
 

Yesterday, my DH and I went shopping for a new sewing machine. I am having trouble with tendonitis in the area of my right elbow and decided I needed a machine with one of those knee lifts to reduce the constant lifting of the presser foot. We went to a Janome Dealer and I tried out their 6600 and the Horizon, but couldn't decide. The 6600 had the thread tree thingy and I could just see what fun my cats would have with that. The Horizon sewed really well, but the front of the machine bows out over the needle area and I had to lean back to see the buttons and couldn't even see the needle path around the needle to thread it. The knee lift was hard and I wondered if I would just be changing elbow pain with knee pain. I probably spent a couple of hours at the shop. We then decided to stop at a Babylock dealer 15 minutes before they were to close. I just planned to see what the cost was. The owner showed me the Symphony and we brought it home. Now, I am worried I didn't do due diligence in my search- to make a decision in 15 minutes. We have a Bernina dealer and a Viking dealer nearby. Should I have shopped more?

I used it some last night, and I don't even feel like I am sewing-just pushing buttons. Kinda scarey and awesome at the same time. There is a button that starts and stops the machine and a speed control, a button that lowers and raises the presser foot in addition to the knee lift, a button that raises and lowers the needle, and another button that cuts the thread. There is an automatic threader that is simplicity itself. It sews laterally and diagonally. The strangest thing to me- the bobbin thread doesn't come up from the bottom. Can that be right? Until January, I hadn't sewed for over probably 40 years, so I know I am behind the times. Have things changed that much?

Does anyone own a Symphony? Have you had any problems? Does the thread come up from the bottom? Did I make the right decision?

Sorry,I don't have one so only can say," welcome to the wonderful experience of new stuff to play with! Sounds like you made a good choice!

I do not have this machine but sounds very nice!!!! Enjoy!!!!

Had the older version, loved mine but traded up 6 months ago, she was always easy to use, never gave me any problems, wonderful machine, hope you enjoy yours as I did mine. we had some good years together

Tartan, I didn't even ask about their return policy. Oops!! I went all prepared with my list of needs and wants, but then made this really snap decision. But they do offer free classes. They told me to bring it home, work with it a little and then I could schedule individual classes about any time I wanted. I will do that after I finish reading the manual.

I have two Babylock sewing machines a NX 2000 (laura ashley model) and a QC2000 an earlier version. I couldn't be happier. I also own 2 Babylock embroidery machines.......I have had no problems and owned the oldest one since 2000. You made a great decision and I'm sure you will be happy with all the new features.

You will get used to what it can do, and I think you made a great choice!

I bought the Baby Lock Crescendo in a similar experience and absolutely love it. I recently got back into sewing and due to severe arthritis, was having hip pain from the angle of stepping on the foot pedal (driving a car causes the same problem). I started using the push button and am in love. Does the symphony have the option to stop needed down pressure foot up each time? My crescendo does and it'a awesome - no need for the knee control either!

My next Baby Lock purchase is the Long Arm. I'm a customer for life!

If you fell in love with it and took it home, you must have been in love. Just make sure to take your classes so that you can get the most out of it.

This was going to be my answer also. The machine felt so right to you that you just had to have it.

I have a Symphony and absolutely love it! You didn't make a mistake its an awesome machine. The bobbin thread doesn't come up because its a drop in and that's normal its automatic. I defiantly recommend taking the classes. Even with doing a ton of research before buying mine and reading the manual I have learned so many fun things in my classes. I hope you love yours as much as I love mine! CONGRATS! Have fun sewing :)

I have the Baby Lock Espire (which is the predecessor to the Symphonie) and I LOVELOVELOVE my machine. She is soooo easy to handle. You will love the one-push needle threader. Before, I always clipped my threads, now I let the cutter do the work. Stitch quality is fabulous. It's got a motor speed adjuster. Bobbin winds quite neatly. Lots of space, great light. The only thread mine does not like is Coats and CLark Dual Duty. Love the fancy stitches and the mirroring of stitches which comes in handy for the blanket stitch a lot for me.

I took a class at the dealer's to learn about cleaning the machine and all that jazz.

One word of advice: When you clean the entire bobbin area make sure to disassemble the pieces in the correct order (or you may mangle the bobbin shuttle and the machine needs to go to the hospital - ask me how I know!)
First you take out the bobbin cover, then the grey plastic cover which just slides out. Then you undo the screws on the cover plate and THEN you take out the shuttle. Assembly goes in reverse with the shuttle going in first. I find is just a little tricky to get the shuttle aligned properly but that is just a matter of practice.

I am also still fighting a little bit with the FMQ settings. I have to have my stitch length at 5 in order to maintain control over my stitches.

Enjoy your new addition.

So funny - I did exactly the same thing. Planned to shop all the major brands, and ended up buying a Symphony on the spot. You won't be dissappointed. Once you get used to the new features you'll wonder how you ever got along without them. I find that with the auto needle down, and the pivot feature (where the presser foot lifts up every time you stop) that I really have no need for the knee lift. Only time I might use it is to get my fabric lined up just right under the presser foot, but it ends up just getting in my way so I don't use it. And, you have got to love the needle threader and automatic cutter. I think it's a lot of machine for the money.

Also, the bobbin thread takes care of itself - just load it in and let it go. It does get a little nest on the bottom of your fabric which is no big deal - if it bothers you, use leader.

It has the option of needle up or down and you can put it on pivot and the pressure foot lifts temporarily so you can shift the fabric but when you are done, you need to touch the pressure foot button. Love that. I am still learning about it, so will have to find out if I can set it to lift the presser foot every time. I will look for instructions.

maminstl, I agree with you about the pivot function. I played with it some more this afternoon and was telling my husband I was hardly using the knee lift, just pushing buttons here and there. I can't believe it could be so automated. The more I play with it, the more I think it will suit me just fine. It is so easy to operate.

My babylock dealer encouraged me to take their classes, (especially the getting to know your machine one) more than once. They believed that each time you took it you would learn something you missed the previous time(s), I think I took the class 3 times and they were right, I kept finding more things my babylock would do. I have really enjoyed mine, I'm sure you will also enjoy yours once you start playing with it.

I looked it up. It must be expensive so much so the price tag was nowhere to be seen...LOL

It really looks like an amazing machine. I can't wait to see what you create with it.

My sister did a similar thing and Loves her Symphony! I wish I had the $ to get one too. Definitely take the classes. Happy sewing!

Hi,

I absolutely positively LOVE my Symphony! I have had mine for two years now and haven't found anything not to like! I haven't had any issues with mine at all and it sews anything and everything I've done....quilts and purses!totes are my thing, no problem. I am not sure what you mean about the bobbin thread, but it works great.
I have the Elegante2 also, which is like the Symphony with embroidery too....I multi task...embroider on one and sew on the other.
Babylocks are very easy and basically don't let you do things wrong....when your bobbin thread has just a few inches left it will tell you on the screen your bobbin thread is low...stops sewing....and you get a babyface with a tear! Watch for him, cute little guy! He only comes when you do something you can't do or your thread comes unthreaded etc. There's a built in help that tells you what the stitches are for....it's the little open book on the end right. It tells you which foot to use for what stitch, above and shows you the stitch, can combine decorative stitches too.
Tonight I did a receiving blanket and did the neatest decorative stitch all around the edge...darling! Wait until you applique and the pressure foot goes up and down when you stop/start so you can pivot...coolest thing ever!
I will be glad to help you with any questions.
I think you made the right decision! Just play with it and check things out.....you will love it!!
Bev