PatternReview.com online sewing community
Join our community of 579,277 sewists!
SIGNUP Membership is free and includes 1 free lesson
Login |
Join our community of 579,277 sewists!
Signup | Login
To participate in the PatternReview.com forums please Login or Join PatternReview
Member since 5/16/07
Posts: 78
Send Message
Posted on: 8/7/10 2:06 PM ET
After much shopping around, I brought my Babylock Decorator's Choice home today! (I have probably put over 100 miles on my car solely dedicated to sewing machine shopping, sheesh!)

I looked at the Brothers, which at the best dealer in town, were actually higher than the Babylocks price-wise. I went back to the dealer I looked at a week or so ago and was ready to plunk down $800 for the DC when the lady told me that they were out of stock because of the sale on them. So I went to the even smaller dealer that I looked at and spent about 45 minutes sewing on their floor model DC and took it home with me for $500. :D

(They were clearing their stock in anticipation for new machines from the BL convention) I was wary about buying a floor model after the 2 years I spent at Viking witnessing the sheer abuse those get from little children and aggressive sewers who try to stuff 15+ layers of denim in a $100 machine. I was assured that their repair guy, who I have met before and was impressed with, gave it a thorough once-over and that the warranty was as if new. It is a small shop that specializes in quilting fabric as well as Babylock machines so I presume that there is not as much abuse going on with the floor models as there was at the Viking "booth" in JoAnn.

It's an older DC and didn't come with the stitch plaque like the new ones but I think I will just photocopy the stitch list out of the back and put it in an acrylic frame next to my machine. The lock/tie-off function is also embedded in the machine and not on a simple button like the new ones, but for the over $300 price difference, I can live with that! I will write a review once I have had it for 6months-year, but I just wanted to share my joy!!

And if you live in the Dallas area, the dealer I wound up buying from was The Fabric Affair in Richardson; I can't recommend them highly enough!

------
"Sewing fills my days, not to mention the living room, bedroom, and closets." -Author Unknown
  
Board Moderator PR Weekend 2019 Organizer
Member since 3/1/06
Posts: 1530
Body Type:
Send Message
Posted on: 8/7/10 2:16 PM ET
In reply to And Sew It Goes
Congratulations! I absoluately love my DC. I just wish my dealer was still in business as they were the most helpful. He fixed the timing on my old White for free so I went back to them when I was ready to upgrade to a real machine.
  
Member since 3/9/09
Posts: 11323
Send Message
Posted on: 8/7/10 4:00 PM ET
In reply to And Sew It Goes
CONGRATS on your new baby(lock)!!!
------
I heart Woo (HimmyCat). Until we meet again, my beautiful little boy. I love you.
  
Member since 4/22/04
Posts: 7282
Send Message
Posted on: 8/7/10 5:33 PM ET
In reply to And Sew It Goes
Congratulations..and you got it for such a good price too. I bet you will love it.
Did your machine come with the knee lift and extension table? If not be sure to get both and you will enjoy your machine even more. One of my machines is a Brother Innovis Q (Quilt Club model) that is like the older BLDC and I really enjoy it. It quilts and free motions so well. It is quiet and comfortable to use with the built in thread cutter and with the knee lift and extension table.
Have fun with your new machine.
  
Member since 4/17/09
Posts: 1678
Send Message
Posted on: 8/7/10 5:44 PM ET
YAY, you got a terrific price. I hope you enjoy every minute of sewing on it.
  
Member since 5/16/07
Posts: 78
Send Message
Posted on: 8/8/10 8:32 PM ET
Thanks y'all!

So far, I love it. 1: It is seriously the quietest thing ever. 2: The thread cutter is amazing. 3: The threading system is so easy to use, and 4: It winds bobbins better than my SE. All in all, it is fab.

And yes- it did come with a knee lift! I did not get the one that came with the table but I am going to see about ordering it. I feel a little sheepish, but the other dealer I was looking at has a larger storefront so once I get paid next week, I am going to go back to them and look into some additional feet that I had on my SE (invisible zipper foot, 5/8' guide, ruffler, etc.). Fabric Affair has a limited selection and I think they may be a little more pricey as well (by about $3-4.) Surely the good people at the other dealer will understand that being a student, I was looking for the best price? Maybe? Well, if not, they are missing out on a potential accessory customer...
------
"Sewing fills my days, not to mention the living room, bedroom, and closets." -Author Unknown
  
Member since 12/28/07
Posts: 20238
Send Message
Posted on: 8/9/10 1:41 AM ET
In reply to And Sew It Goes

Don't forget to check out Mr. Sewing Machine in the front of Golden D ore Fabrics building on Harry Hines.. The biggest benefit is you also get to look at fabric..
  
* Advertising and soliciting is strictly prohibited on PatternReview.com. If you find a post which is not in agreement with our Terms and Conditions, please click on the Report Post button to report it.
Selected Reviews, Classes & Patterns
Nature's Fabrics
Natural & Organic Fabrics
Specials!
Metro Textiles
NYC Fabric Store
Specials!
Discovery Fabrics
High Performance Fabrics
Specials!