| Baby Lock:BLCC Crafter's Choice (Sewing Machine) |
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4 more reviews for this machine |
Review rated Helpful by 4 people Very Helpful by 4 people |
| Reviewed by: | JTink | 
| About JTink | | VA USA | | Member since: 4/20/08 | | Reviews written: 22 | | Sewing skills:Intermediate | | Favored by: 5 people | | sewing machines reviewed: 2 | | Bio: more... |
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| Posted on: | 3/20/13 3:34 PM |
| Approx price paid: | $600 |
| Had this machine for: | Almost 2 months |
| Recommended? | Maybe |
| 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
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What JTink likes about this machine
Very quiet
Sews well
Variety of stitches
Auto Up/Down
Push Button Stop/Start
Optional use of foot pedal
Easy snap on feet
Love the very easy to use needle threader(It's a lot different from the one on most mechanicals I've seen)
Just a note: the machine pictured here, is not the Baby Lock Tempo. The Crafter's Choice was the precursor to the Tempo. I'll try to post a picture in this review.
Picture of the Tempo:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8517/8575189911_79b3aa59f1.jpg" What JTink does not like about this machine
Difficult to thread and difficult to wind the bobbin. What makes these difficult is the limited space around the spool of thread. There is one step on winding the bobbin, that has you take the thread through an awkward route. If you have problems with your fingers or hands, make sure you thread and wind the bobbin before you buy it. I like the old way of winding a bobbin, by putting the thread through the little hole. With this machine, you have to wrap it around the actual bobbin.
If you don't hold it all tight enough, the bobbin will not wind with out a lot of wonky mess.
The needle thread threader is nice, but will not work with anything smaller than a size 11 needle(I usually use 9's but have learned to use 11's)
You can't wind the bobbin with the foot pedal plugged into the machine. I like using my foot pedal so have to unplug and replug everytime I wind the bobbin.
The bobbin case cover is difficult to get open. I have a problem pulling back the little lock with my fingers, I use tweezers or the eraser on my pencil/pen.
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Thank you for this review. It is easy to say nice things about a machine, but more work to discover and reveal the bad things, and really, it is almost more important to know the bad things such as the bobbin winding. That must be very annoying.
3/20/13 6:01 PM
At first I thought it was just the "learning curve" I was getting use to. Nope. My mechanicals were much easier to thread and to wind the bobbin. I think this winding the thread around the bobbin is the "new" thing on a lot of machines. I don't like it. Oh well, live and learn.
3/20/13 6:38 PM
Thank you for a good review. I do not think I would like the bobbin winding thing either. It sounds awkward.
3/20/13 7:09 PM
Have you tried inserting the thread tail through the hole in the bobbin anyway, from the inside to the outside, and holding onto the tail while it starts up? After a few rounds you can clip it close to the bobbin. I find many machines will work that way if the bobbin has that hole, the way you're used to, even when the manual has different instructions.
3/20/13 7:33 PM
Thanks for your review! Sometimes it's the "little things" that make or break our attachment to a machine. For example, I've come to really dislike the presser foot lifter inside the harp (as opposed to in the back, behind the needle). I so appreciate the multiple manual thread cutters on my Berninas. Threading and preparing bobbins shouldn't be a major pain. Any possibility of trading to something you'll enjoy more?
3/22/13 2:51 PM
Threading the bobbin through the little hole is pretty much impossible. I would need three hands to get the bobbin started. Since it can't be wound by foot pedal, I have to hold the two "ends" of the thread taught, and try to push the stop/ start button. Maia, I wish I could swap it out, but I doubt I can at this point. I've had her for almost 2 months. I've never been a fan of Baby Lock machines, but got this one justifying paying $600 for a machine, because of the local dealer support. I wish I had just bought the Janome from Hancocks.
3/22/13 6:46 PM