| Baby Lock:Unity BLTY (Embroidery Machine) | | Viewed 1337 time(s) | | Review rated Helpful by 3 people Very Helpful by 10 people | | Reviewed by: | calliesmom96 | 
| | About calliesmom96 | | PA | | Member since: 12/15/12 | | Reviews written: 1 | | Sewing skills:Advanced | | sewing machines reviewed: 1 | | Bio: more... |
| | Posted on: | 1/27/13 6:23 AM | | Approx price paid: | $6000 | | Had this machine for: | 3 weeks | | Recommended? | Yes | | Online Merchants: | Amazon.com | Features
- Computerized
- Needle Threader
- Needle Up/Down Setting
- Embroidery Stitches
- One step buttonhole
- Drop-In bobbin
- Free Arm
- Adjustable Stitch Length and Width
- Adjustable Presser Foot Pressure
- Adjustable Needle Position
- Embroidery Machine
- Rolled Hem
- Auto Threading
Find the right Sewing Machine with the Sewing Machine Search Wizard
Discuss Sewing Machines with PR members Sewing Machine Forum | | What calliesmom96 likes about this machine
10 years ago I bought an entry-level Brother embroidery-only machine with Disney designs and a card reader to go with it, but the machine didn't do designs bigger than 4x4, which I found to be very limiting, so I never really did much with the machine other than a few Disney-embroidered towels for gifts. I started researching different machines and narrowed my choices down to either a Bernina or BabyLock. Then I found this web site and after reading the reviews decided that BabyLock seemed more user-friendly. So on New Years Eve, armed with a 6K budget, I went to the dealer to check out the machines, specifically an Elegante 3, as I couldn't quite afford the Ellisimo. They had just come out with the Unity, and I decided to go with it rather than the Elegante as it was a bigger machine and I do a lot of free-motion quilting. I allowed myself to play with it a couple of days, and then had to study for a class I had to take for my job as a travel nurse. Then I had to start getting ready for my next assignment, but managed to squeeze in a class on the machine. I've had a chance to do a couple of embroidery designs, and played around with the different stitches a little, plus some straight-line quilting. My favorite feature so far it the automatic needle threader. I never get tired of watching it. Changing thread colors while embroidering is no longer tedious as it affords me another chance to watch the needle threader in action. It works every time. The only times it missed was due to an error on my part.
When I turn on the machine it makes a musical sound that to me sounds like the angels singing. The color screen is beautiful, easy to use, and sooo big. I like how it is turned towards me. The lighting on the machine is bright enough that I could turn off all the lights in the room and still be able to sew.
I've always owned a Pfaff machine, and am accustomed to the built-in IDT and was a bit leary about having to use an attachment. Well, it worked beautifully, and doing the straight-line quilting on a silk quilt I've been working on went much smoother.
I had fun trying out a lot of the decorative stitches. It has over 500 built-in stitches, and I love having the ability to combine stitches, creating a whole new stitch. The editing features for both the sewing and embroidery are very easy to use. I really like the automatic thread cutter. At first I was afraid that it cut the thread too short, but it works fine and I can start a new seam without any problems. I also love the bobbin winder = it is pretty quiet and very fast. It winds a bobbin in about 30 seconds, and does it very quietly. Since the bobbin winder has its own motor, so I can wind bobbins while the machine is doing an embroidery design.
I bought the 10-spool holder that attaches to the machine, and loveit. I can put all or most of the threads on for whatever design I'm working on and have them ready to go. I also bought the extra-big table attachment which really helps to handle the quilt. I love having all the space for the quilting.
My time with the machine so far has been limited because of getting ready to travel to a new assignment, the travel itself, and now settling down in my apartment and starting the new assignment. So I am not done reviewing this machine, but will add more as I experience it. So far, I love love love this machine and look forward to many creative moments. What calliesmom96 does not like about this machine
The one thing that has caused me some concern it that when I did my first embroidery design, there were a few areas where the colored thread didn't seem to "stick", and all that was left showing as the white bobbin thread. But the editing features made it easy to back up or go forward through the design and reach the place where the machine skipped those stitches and just do it again in that area. And I couldn't tell that there had been a problem.
I also don't like that a machine at this level did not come with some kind of case to carry it in. Instead is just has a plastic cover for the machine. This was not a deal-breaker, but disappointing. So now I'll have to fork it over to get a case for it. The machine is pretty heavy, but worth it for all that it does.
| *LOGIN to add a comment to this review
*Only registered members can post comments to the reviews. Membership is free. if you are not a member, please Sign-up now! |
|
7 Comments
Login to Add a Comment |
|
|Login|Help]
Great review! The machine sounds fantastic!
1/27/13 8:00 AM
Wow, I think you made a wonderful choice.
1/27/13 1:36 PM
I would have the dealer take a look at the machine. It should not be skipping stitches. There could be a burr or if it was dense embroidery level the tension needed to be lowered. I have the first elegante and still own it as I have been uncomfortable paying so much for these machines and than having issues. Mine was a floor model and at that time I paid about 2,400 for it. I also have a Bernina but it no embroidery module as I do not feel they are as user friendly with embroidery. Good luck with the machine. I agree that the sewing companies keep being stingy with extras lately. But a sewing case... Can't believe it didn't come with it.
1/27/13 8:21 PM
Nice review! When you thread the bobbin into the machine, make sure it is in the tension before you cut it off. Thin bobbin threads sometimes pop out, making it come up to the top when you embroider. I always pull out some thread before threading into the machine and put my finger on the bobbin so that it does not turn. Wind around into the thread guide and test for tension before cutting off. Hope this helps.
1/28/13 8:20 AM
Thank you. I will be sure to give that a try.
1/28/13 11:48 PM
Thanks for the great review. You answered so many of my questions and I'm wondering how you like it for free-motion quilting? I hoped the quilting table came with it like the Crescendo, bummer! Also, any comments on the laser line feature? I'm hoping to use it for cross-hatch quilting, do you expect it would do well with that? Thanks again!
3/2/13 7:57 AM
Thank you so much for your review. I am contemplating an embroidery machine. I have a Bernina and embroidery has so far been a long and tedious procedure, made worse because the thread breaks often. My friend has this same problem with her Bernina. I have yet to take it in to have it checked out. I have heard that Babylock's are very user-friendly, and their stitch quality is excellent. Sounds like the Unity is one I should take a closer look at! I really look forward to your additions to this review, as you have time to use your wonderful machine more! (and the time to write!)
4/29/13 2:11 PM