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Babylock Grace??? Purchasing a new machine for my wife
hubbyneedshelp Member since 12/12/12 Posts: 3	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/12/12 10:58 AM Hello all... My wife has taken up sewing and needs a new machine. She has been using her mother's old Viking and LOVES it, but I am going to purchase a new one for her. I went into a sewing/ fabric store that is a dealer for Babylock, Bernina and a few other brands. They were extremely nice and very helpful (may be the fact that I clearly didn't know a thing about sewing :-). I told her my wife has recently started sewing (mainly blankets and a few clothing items), and that I wanted a good quality, yet not too expensive machine, and she pointed me directly to the Babylock Grace. The price is $359 and comes with one class that will teach her all the details of the machine and how to use it. She also mentioned that the support for Babylock is great. I've also been looking at the Vikings, Bernina and Pfaff, but they all seem very pricey, compared to the features of the Grace. I've done some extensive research and found that the Babylock is made by Brother, but without the plastic, main components. Is this something negative for the Babylock A series or does this line still make the machines with quality components even though it is a Brother (no offense to Brother owners). I would like for her to start out her sewing with a quality machine that's user friendly and will last her a bit. Bottom line... should I purchase this machine for her or lok at others? If so, which others are comparable in quality, price, etc??? Thanks in advance for any expert advice :-)
poorpigling Advanced TX USA Member since 12/28/07 Posts: 10061	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 12/12/12 1:01 PM Wow.. where do I start here.. I think its great you care so much that you want to gift a machine to your wife.. But.. you know the hunt is half the fun of acquiring a new sewing machine. I know its overwhelming the choice out there. Only your wife would know which features she would most need or want.. no way a saleslady could know all this. I say give her an IOU and offer to go shopping with her.. Make a day of it.. and take her to lunch to celebrate.. You might want to look at the machine reviews here on PR to get a good idea of the features of each machine.. and a good price to pay. Machine prices are negotiable.. and knowing what others pay may help you save some money. Also be sure to buy any additional feet she would use most often.. I think you could possibly neg a reduced price on those at the same time you buy the machine. a percentage off. or a couple thrown in the package. Please don't buy a machine without your wife.. its important she tries the models out. Some people can be turned off by something as simple as the sound of a certain model. Only she would know if she loves it right from the start. Nothing worse then getting the wrong machine.
lgrande   Advanced Beginner MT USA Member since 1/18/12 Posts: 1050	Login to reply to this post In reply to poorpigling << Like this post Date: 12/12/12 1:06 PM This is EXCELLENT advice, hubby! I hope you will follow it. -- Edited on 12/12/12 1:06 PM -- ------ Linda Bernina 830LE Bernina B530 Janome 6600P Pfaff 1209 Babylock Evolution Janome 644D
clothingengineer   Intermediate CT USA Member since 5/7/10 Posts: 371	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/12/12 1:48 PM poorpigling, that's great advice! Most sewists are very particular about the type of machine they want. Unless she has a specific make and model you KNOW she wants to buy, let her choose it herself! That being said, I got my Seiko STH-8BLD-3 as a surprise gift from DBF (it is actually my engagement "ring") but since I had never even used an industrial machine before and didn't know too much about them I had nothing to compare it to. He had a very good idea of what I wanted to use it for and followed the same process I would have for picking it out so that's why it ended up working out. ------ -- Anne http://clothingengineer.com
PattiAnnJ   Advanced OH USA Member since 12/3/06 Posts: 4991	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/12/12 1:55 PM This post is also active under Sewing Machines.
carry Member since 10/26/07 Posts: 174	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/27/12 7:48 PM Grace is set to run best on left needle position.I don't like this because I'm so used to gauging five eight seams from the center. The needle plate is confusing with inch. and centimeter marks. A lightweight plastic case -really joggles when you sew. iNot too pleased

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