A few Baby Lock questions

[bethc]

Hi. I am new here and was wondering if anyone has either the Baby Lock Tiara II or the Baby Lock Crescendo? I am considering one or the other. I love the Tiara for quilting and the Crescendo more for piecing. I know I could also do a lot of quilting on the Crescendo but I love the space that the Tiara offers. So does anyone have an opinion that might sway me more one way than another? Also, I currently own the Baby Lock Espire.I bought it in 2008 and it has been a wonderful machine. I have never had a problem with it. I might trade it in or sell it outright. If I did sell it, what would be a fair price? Thanks so much!

[auntiemern]

The Tiara is a sit down quilter (you do not piece with it). I would love to have one. The Crescendo is a sewing machine you can quilt with. In other words if you want a machine that you can do both on, go for the Crescendo. BTW, welcome from Missouri.
The best resource for finding out what you could get from your Aspire is to check what they have SOLD for on E bay.

[Fl girl]

I have the Tiara sit down quilter. At first I hated it. Had lots of tension problems. Had the man from the shop come and get it.
The timing was wrong on it from the factory and the lights were burned out. He replaced the light and fixed the timing problem and now it sews wonderful. There is a large learning curve. I am good at stippling and can do a decent feather. I have bought some quilting rulers to try next. I think every quilt I finish I get a little better.

[ctab]

I love my Crescendo. The laser guide alone makes it an awesome machine. And, it has the easiest needle threader ever.

[bethc]

Thank you all. I have set at each machine in the store and played around. My problem is that I want them both! I am trying to decide qhich one I want more. I hope to hear more opinions!

[ctab]

Thank you all. I have set at each machine in the store and played around. My problem is that I want them both! I am trying to decide qhich one I want more. I hope to hear more opinions!

I would get a Crescendo, because you can do more then just quilt with it. The dual feed foot works wonderfully. I quilted a lap size quilt with no space issues. I doubt I will have much trouble with bigger size quilts either.

[bubba]

I'd keep your Espire (I just got one) and get the Tiara. Good luck deciding!

[MartinaG]

I have both (well, I have the Handiquilter Sweet 16) and the Crescendo. They are two totally different machines. You cannot do regular sewing with the Tiara. It is a sit-down quilting machine only. Now the Crescendo has a nice-sized throat and great lighting. Also the laser (drooling here) plus all of the other features...... If you can only afford one and you don't have another machine, then I'd say go for the Crescendo. If you have a machine and you want to branch out into quilting, then the decision is up to you: a better sewing machine that supports quilting, or a quilting machine.

[duckie125]

I bought the Crescendo late last year in October. I LOVE IT. I had never done FMQ, I literally took it home that night (without a class and having never owned a BabyLock)and started quilting away on a quilt top I'd prepared to be quilted. It was SO easy to use and very comfortable. I did read the manual, and I still do, but it was so easy quilt and plenty of room. I LOVE piecing on it, too.

[DramaMama]

Inherited a Baby Lock several years ago. Worked well for a few years, then it stopped. Repair shop looked at it and called the manufacturer: the model I had was one that they had trouble with the motors!

I'd suggest that you contact the manufacturer to inquire on each machine -- whether there is something that has proven inherently faulty with either/both of them. Maybe do this AFTER doing a quick Google search on "Baby Lock (Model name) repairs" and see what comes up.

FYI -- Despite my experience, I would still consider purchasing/owning another Baby Lock.

Best wishes.