Baby Lock model at the sewing store this evening and see they're basically the same machine. I was comparing the 6 thread to the 15 thread Happy model... I'd like any feedback you all might have. I'm thinking of getting one in a year or so... have to get the Ellisimo paid off first! lol xoxo

Hi Teri, I have the Melco EP4 which has only 4 needles. It stitches out a treat, sold here for nearly half the price of the Brother.
PRO: it stitches out very well; weight is only 25 kilos and it fits the boot of the car - nice to take it to a fair or to the dealer for service, else I have to pay him a fortune for home service.
CON: max. speed is 800 st/min; the frame size is rather small; no aoto threader, but easy to knot a new colour to an old one and pull it through (same applies to the Brother).
If you are thinking of buying one, buy one with the largest hoop and as many needles as you can afford. I'd love to have 12 or 15 needles, although they a very sturdy tables and a stronger DH then my 72 yrs old to shift it. And inquire about service costs, a yearly service lengthens the life of your machine considerably, but prices vary between makes/suppliers. Worth taking that into account too.

Thanks girls for your answers... can the BMP (verses the EMP) be upgraded to an 8 thread machine? If you have any links, I'm be so happy for you to send me info... xoxo

Hello Teri, another cutie, cuddlebear, Claire, has a brother 6 thread, if you have a look at her profile she has the model listed there and I know that she is very happy with it, at the moment she has just started 3 weeks holiday, but, I am sure you could get in contact with her when she gets home.

Teri, I have a friend in CO that has the 6 needle brother and she loves it - however - whenever she needs it services - it takes three grown men to move the machine out to a truck and take it in for serivice. But is stitches out wonderfully.

i see you got a answer anyone else out there i would be scared of a machine like that lol

I had Babylock 6 needles. The pro is don't have to change thread all the time and has auto threader. The con is the hoop size is not as big as the happy.

I had salesman brought in the happy 15 needles into my house to demo. Loved the largest hoop size, but it is 280 pounds. I can't bring that machine around to trade show. On top of that, there is no auto threader. If you wan to use for home embroidery project and do small business, the 6 needle baby lock or brother is good.

BTW, the babylock or brother 12 does not have the auto threader neither.

I also learned that none of the commercial or industrial embrodery machines have precise positioning. Only Hukavana and Pfaff have precise positioning. For me, I did lots of heirloom, the precise posioning is a must.

Well, there is some mean woman here may not like my answer, so all this may be deleted soon.

1 comment

by simplyrosie 03 Mar 2009

We need to talk... I'll email you. :-) xoxo