Baby Lock Decorator's Choice Model BLDC

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Baby Lock Decorator's Choice Model BLDC

by Laura Baxter
(Ogden, UT)

The Baby Lock Decorator's Choice Model sewing machine is deceiving. At the showroom, it looked like the best machine going. At home, it has been a nightmare!

Every time I use the Baby Lock machine for a project, it breaks down. I've had it repaired numerous times and it keeps doing the same thing over and over.

I can't adjust the feed dogs...if I put them down, it needs to go to the repair shop to get them back up.

I can't adjust the stitch tension. No matter what you do, it doesn't ever look perfect. It also knots the thread on the backside every time you sew backwards.

The next time I get the Baby Lock Decorator's Choice machine serviced, I'm selling it or trading it in on something better.

Comments for
Baby Lock Decorator's Choice Model BLDC

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Mar 16, 2009
Rating

Huge Dissapointment
by: Anonymous

This machine was touted by the store selling it, but I see that they were just trying to get rid of it. The top thread wiil not catch underneath most of the time. I am nearing $300 in repairs close to half the retail of the machine. Iam HUGELY dissapointed.

May 23, 2009
Rating

Fantastic
by: Anonymous

I love this machine. I'm not sure what others are complaining about. I've never had a problem. Also, the feed dogs? When you switch them back up, they don't go up until you start sewing. If you are paying someone to put them up, you are getting ripped off.

Jul 30, 2009
Rating

best little machine
by: Anonymous

I've got this machine about 4 years ago. I sew almost daily mainly for quilting. I have never had any problems. I love automatic threader and cutter. The light on this machine is very poor. I have two Ott-Lite lamps one on each side so I could see what I am stitching. Basically this machine is very good value for the price. I will upgrade to a bigger machine to have more throat space but I will keep BLDC for classes.

Oct 24, 2009
Rating

Very satisfied
by: Anonymous

I have had my BLDC for 2-3 years. I am not a daily user, but I have used it for many projects, using a variety of fabrics. I have never had a problem with it. I read and shopped around a bit before I purchased it, and tried other brands and models in the store before buying this one. I have continued to find it very easy to use and very reliable, and feel the money was well spent.

Nov 04, 2009
Rating

This machine is a winner!
by: Anonymous

I'm a very experienced sewer with a whole fleet of machines in my own studio and I've owned all the major brands. I shopped around for a nice machine for my daughter and chose this one. It has everything she needs right now plus many features for the future. I've sewn on it myself at her house several times and really love it. I'm impressed that it has the automatic thread cutter you see on much higher end models. It has performed flawlessly. Now I'm looking for a good deal on one of these for my new daughter-in-law.

FYI: Whatever machine you buy, definitely take the classes that go with it from a teacher experienced with that model. I've see a huge percentage of problems that are merely user error over the years.

Nov 25, 2009
Rating

I'm so sorry I bought BabyLock Decorator
by: Anonymous

Many times when I thread it the thread soesn't catch over the thread take-up inside and it won't sew. It also won't sew light leather. I am careful to use a leather needle, it just doesn't have enough power. My older, least expensive machine sewed light suede just fine.

May 13, 2010
Rating

Baby lock decorator's choice
by: Janie

I've had mine two years and Love it! Never a problem!

Jul 15, 2010
Rating

quilters choice model
by: Anonymous

I have the babylock quilters choice and am on my second one in a 5 months. (luckily the store I purchased the machine from has been Wonderful-first machine was a REAL lemon) The stitching still doesn't look right on the 2nd machine. When I sew a straight stitch the back looks like one straight piece of thread with dots in between and the top stitch looks wavy. I adjust the tension and it doesn't do anything different. When I use a zig zag stitch the top looks nice but the backside looks like the stitch pulls from the top and bottom with knots. Also, when I backstitch it looks like a rats nest on the underside (even when I hold the thread tight while I sew). Don't know what to do different.....wish I could just sit at my machine and sew without the hassle/frustration.

Aug 11, 2010
Rating

Babylock always works perfect
by: Certified Technician

To the ones complaining about these machines, have you taken the classes?

For the post on Nov 25... You must be messing with the hand wheel. If you press the needle up button or hit the thread cutter before putting the next thread in it will NEVER miss the take up arm. Also remember to thread with the presser foot up.

For the post on July 15...You need to use the proper bobbins but more importantly put them in the proper way and make sure you always thread the machine with the presser foot up. Good quality thread (Mettler, Aurifil etc) will make some difference as well.

We service between 500-800 machines a year and Babylock is our most trouble free machine.

Sep 13, 2010
Rating

I originally posted on July15th
by: Anonymous

Thank-you for replying. Your comments are helpful. I only purchase bobbins from the store I purchased my machine and they told me to only use quality thread. I have noticed that when I use cotton thread (as opposed to polyester) my stitches look wonderful. I sew with minkie and use my walking foot & after I begin to sew with regular cotton fabric again my stitches look wonky for a while then they just even out over time. Do you think this is caused by the minkie or my walking foot? oh and I have the quilters choice not the decorators choice so the walking foot came with my machine. thank-you! I have been having so much fun sewing....now if only I can be brave enough to make baby things again with minkie.

Oct 22, 2010
Rating

Fantastic Machine
by: Anonymous

I have had my BLDC for several years and it has never given me trouble. I sew several days a week, clean it with a compressor and I wouldn't trade it for anything. The threader and the stitch quality is amazing. I love the collection of presser feet and the thigh control for lifting/lowering the presser foot and no machine was ever sewn leather or fur the way this machine can (I just go more slowly). I also have the ellageo set up for embroidery only and find that the Dec Choice sews more smoothly and precisely than the ellageo.

Feb 07, 2011
Rating

Troubles
by: Anonymous

I have also had nothing but problems with my Baby Lock Decorator's choice when it works I love it but I have had mine lest then a year and it has been in the shop twice. It chews up the thread and fabric for no reason I can tell. I have rebooted it used different threads changed needles and on and on still can't even get through one project with out it breaking down. So upsetting. it seems that everyone that likes theirs have had them a long time maybe the newer ones and not the same quality

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