dear cuties i need some input badly!!!! 2 years ago i bought a ellagante ( REFURBED) it has been a worker, now my service man who i have known for over 20 yrs, tells me my mother board is going out i have maybe a yr. he told me i should get a 6 needle heavy duty one , for all the sewing i do. i am scared. he said babylock is no longer making parts for it. some of you that have a 6 needle machine please tell me if you think it would be too hard to learn how to run it? i am 74 and i plan on sewing for a long time...he said buying a newer 1 needle machine would cost me a lot more than if he can find me a newer 6 needle trade in. were talking 2-3 thousand cheaper ? please help, does anyone in wash .state haveone, would love to watch one sew, if i could? please reply soon , thank you so much, doris

Doris, you can learn a 6 needle machine. I am 73, and have a 15 needle machine. I was intimidated by it at first; so scare of it, actually!! LOL But, when I relaxed, read and reread instructions to finally stitching out a design, I was delighted. You will find stitching more colors without changing threads to be a delightful thrill! I was told a mother board on a machine is the most expensive part, so a trade in may be a good idea.
Best wishes on finding a great deal!! Keep on stitching!! Hugs, Angel

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by lildoll2 17 Aug 2017

thank you, soon as i can find one i will get my service man to check it out, then back to the poor house again, my machines have cost me more than my real kids !!! lol doris

I had a Babylock 6 needle for years and found it very easy to use. The threading looks intimidating but it is not. It is quite easy to follow the guides. Much of the 6 needle will look familiar to you because it is similar to the Ellegante And I started on an Ellegante too. . My advice is to spend a little time with your dealer/tech man and get comfy threading and using the machine in the shop. They can help guide you step by step. I know you are going to find it easier to use than you think. I'm not tech savvy at all and I was happily threading and stitching within 30 minutes and that included the time of instruction. Why did I give up my 6 needle that I loved? I stepped up to a 10 needle. So trust your service man and try the 6 needle. I think you will be very surprised at how well you will do. And stitching bags will be a breeze too. Let us know what you decide.

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by lildoll2 17 Aug 2017

what do you think about a brother pr 600 ? my service man told me about the only difference anymore is the name on it . know anyone wanting to sell either one fairly new, please let me know, thank you so much ,Doris

I have a 10 needle Baby lock and I am in my 60's I find babylocks easy to operate and user friendly. I think you would enjoy it very much...
You would have to get a sewing machine though if you plan on sewing... Good luck!!

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by lildoll2 17 Aug 2017

i have decided maybe im not to old for a 6 needle, can't wait to try, yes i have a reg sewing machine. thank you doris

lildoll2, I would not be in haste. I have an Ellageo (Babylock) that the hand wheel was so tight I could hardly turn--tho when stitching it spun easily. My dealer service man told me it needed new lower shaft gear but Brother no longer had parts available. I panicked--loved that machine better than 4 others! I searched and searched until I found part in warehouse in La. Not expensive--$70. I waited for it to die, which he said "soon". That was 2 yrs ago..still emb'ing with gusto. Funny..he said the shaft gear is the first to go! Maybe yours will keep stitching past that year. My fingers and toes crossed for you!

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by lildoll2 17 Aug 2017

thank you , don't keep them crossed too long , you might get cramps, i will let you know when the funeral is, so glad yours is still going, lol doris

Do you have a separate sewing machine, or are you embroidering only. I have had a 4-needle for 6 or 7 years now (I think, time seems to fly) and love it, but I could not be without a sewing machine!
I'd take my dealer's advice - after 20 years you know if he is trustworthy - he knows the state of the machines, especially if they were regularly serviced. And he would be able to show you the machine in action.

Good luck!

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by lildoll2 15 Aug 2017

thanks for the reply, yes i do have another machine, also a babylock, grace. got her a few yrs ago. but i love my embroidery machine, can i learn to use a 6 needle ???doris