MFG SKU: BL25B
Baby Lock Joy Sewing Machine
Baby Lock Joy Sewing Machine
We can't wait to get you sewing!
Quilted Joy is the home of the world famous Quilt Fairies and is led by Angela Huffman, host of PBS' Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting. Buy your machine from people who sew on these machines every day.
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Machine Information
Eleven and a half pounds of first sewing machine goodness
The Joy is the machine we hand to somebody who is starting their sewing journey, and to plenty of people who are not. Nineteen stitches on a dial, a built-in needle threader, a drop-in bobbin you can see through, a free arm and feed dogs that drop. It weighs 11 1/2 pounds, which is less than most laptops-plus-bags, and it is the lightest machine we sell. There is no screen and nothing to configure, so the first seam happens in about five minutes.
Take these with you
Download the Joy brochure
Download our beginner machine comparison chart
Angela Huffman, host of Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting PBS show and founder/owner of Quilted Joy.
This is the machine parents buy for a teenager, the one people take to a first class, and the one experienced quilters keep in a closet for mending and for lending. If you are buying it as a gift and you are not a sewist yourself, call us at (502) 718-7148 or send us an email. We will tell you honestly whether the Joy or the Zeal is the better present for the person you have in mind.
★★★★★ 4.9 stars on Google and a 98% recommend rate on Facebook
“This shop is AWESOME to deal with and has quick and efficient service.”
Sheryl M., Google review
Nineteen stitches, printed on the machine
Fifteen utility stitches and four decorative ones, plus a four-step buttonhole, all chosen by turning a dial to a letter on the chart printed beside it. Stitch width adjusts to 5mm and length to 4mm on their own dials. Nothing is hidden in a menu, which is exactly what you want when you are teaching somebody or learning yourself. We have a whole playlist of short how-to videos for this machine.
A bobbin you can see through the cover
The Joy takes a quick-set drop-in bobbin under a clear plate. You drop it in, pull the thread through the slot, and start sewing. There is no bobbin case to seat, nothing to bring up from underneath, and you can see how much thread is left without stopping to check. It uses standard Class 15 bobbins, which are inexpensive and sold everywhere, including in a twelve pack right here at Quilted Joy.
A needle threader and a thread cutter on the head
Two small things that get used on every single seam. The built-in needle threader takes the thread through the eye without you squinting at it, and the thread cutter is built into the head, so you pull the work up and to the left and both threads are cut.
Free arm for the jobs people actually have
Most first machines get bought for a specific reason: jeans that are too long, a costume, a curtain, a pile of mending that has been sitting there for a year. Slide the flatbed off the Joy and the free arm lets you sew a hem or a cuff in the round instead of fighting a tube of fabric flat. The feed dogs also drop, so free-motion quilting and darning are both on the table.
A four-step buttonhole, and what that means
The Joy sews buttonholes in four passes: down one side, across the end, back up the other side, and across the top, turning the dial between each. It makes a good buttonhole and it takes a minute of attention. If you are going to sew a shirt with eight buttonholes down the front, the one-step buttonhole on the Baby Lock Zeal may be worth the extra hundred dollars. For a cushion cover with two buttonholes? This is entirely fine.
Specifications
| At a glance |
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| Stitches |
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| Bobbin, feed and feet |
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| What it does not have |
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| Dimensions |
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| Warranty |
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Warranty service is handled here in Louisville by our own factory-certified technicians, so your machine does not have to travel to a stranger when it needs attention. If you live outside of Louisville, any Baby Lock dealer in the country will service your machine under warranty. Every machine we sell also comes with owner classes, so you leave knowing how to thread it, how to change a stitch and how to keep it clean.
Additional Information
| Product type | Sewing Machine |
| Brand | Baby Lock |
| Manufacturer | Baby Lock |
Easy for Everyone
Buying a machine is a big decision. The Quilt Fairies make every step of it simple.
Price Match Guarantee
Found it for less from another authorized dealer? Tell us and we'll work to match it.
Trade In & Trade Up
Your current machine can help pay for your next one. Ask us for a trade-in quote.
Talk to a Sewist
Not sure which machine fits? The Quilt Fairies stitch on these machines every day. Call (502) 718-7148.
Flexible Financing
Spread your purchase into monthly payments with Shop Pay Installments. See your estimated payment right on this page.
Trusted by Sewists from Coast to Coast
Their response time and shipping was so quick! I received my order three days early and I live on the other side of the country.Laura W. · Google review
My orders always arrive in 2 days, with nice notes that inspire me every time. They always have exactly what I need.Eleanor P. · Google review
No other online quilt shop or local shop compares with the enthusiasm, willingness to help and great resources offered at Quilted Joy.Deborah B. · Oklahoma
Even though I’m in Texas they made it very easy. They responded quickly by email and got me enrolled. I loved the class and learned so much. 10/10Leslie W. · Texas
This company is FANTASTIC. Not only does the online shop have fast shipping and exactly what I needed, but there’s so much helpful quilting information.Kathy V. · Google review
The “quilt fairies” truly are amazing. They have made me feel so welcome and have been incredibly patient with me every step of the way.Ella S. · Google review
Reviews
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Baby Lock Joy Sewing Machine — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Baby Lock Joy?
The Joy is a mechanical sewing machine with 19 built-in stitches, a four-step buttonhole, a built-in needle threader, a thread cutter on the head, a Quick-Set drop-in Class 15 bobbin, a free arm and droppable feed dogs. At 11.5 pounds it is the lightest machine we sell.
Is the Joy a good first sewing machine?
Yes. It is the one we most often recommend for a beginner or a teenager. The stitch chart is printed on the machine, there is no screen or menu to learn, the needle threader and drop-in bobbin remove the two steps that frustrate people most, and it is light enough to carry to a class.
What is the difference between the Joy and the Zest?
The Joy adds a built-in needle threader, a thread cutter, a drop-in bobbin and four more stitches, and it is two pounds lighter. The Zest is cheaper and simpler, with a front-loading bobbin and no needle threader. For most people the Joy is worth the difference.
What is the difference between the Joy and the Zeal?
The Zeal sews a true one-step buttonhole sized to your button; the Joy sews a four-step buttonhole you work in four turns of a dial. The Zeal also has 25 stitches to the Joy's 19, six presser feet to the Joy's four, and twin needle capability. If you plan to sew garments with several buttonholes, step up.
Can you quilt on the Joy?
You can piece on it and free-motion quilt small projects, since the feed dogs drop. But there are only 6 inches of sewing bed to the right of the needle, so a full-size quilt will not fit comfortably. For quilting, the Brilliant with its 8 1/8 inch bed and included walking foot is the machine to look at.
Why buy the Joy from Quilted Joy?
Quilted Joy is a family owned authorized Baby Lock dealer in Louisville, Kentucky, home of the Quilt Fairies and led by Angela Huffman, host of Fons and Porter's Love of Quilting on PBS. Your machine comes with owner classes, warranty service from our own factory certified technicians, and the Quilt Fairy Godmother Program.
