Baby Lock Brilliant Sewing Machine

Baby Lock Brilliant Sewing Machine

If your budget for a new sewing machine is under $1,000, then it is wise to seriously consider the Baby Lock Brilliant at $999.  The Brilliant extremely easy to use, whether it be threading the machine, winding the bobbin, navigating different stitch settings, or using the automatic needle threader.  It offers 8.5″ inches of workspace to the right of the needle, which is nearly 2″ more than competing machines at the same price point. The knee lift acts as a 3rd hand, allowing the user to raise and lower the presser foot while keeping both hands on the fabric.  And, above all else, the sewing experience is exceptional, as the large metal frame creates a smooth yet sturdy touch and feel while sewing.

Quilting ★★★★★

The Baby Lock Brilliant earns a 5-star quilting rating because it is one of the only machines under $1,000 that offers 8.5″ throat space and knee lift capability.  The knee lift is really a key feature that distinguishes the Brilliant from it’s $799 counterpart, the Baby Lock Presto 2.  Quilters love the knee lift because it allows them to both pivot their fabric and check seam allowance with ease.

+ 8.5″ Throat Space
+ Programmable needle up/down
+ Automatic 1/4″ positioning stitch and 1/4″ foot
+ Compatible with Baby Lock’s entry-level walking foot

Clothes, Garment, Mending★★★★☆

Here, the Brilliant earns a 5-star rating in the sub-$1,000 category because it offers a lot in comparison to its competition.  Again, the 8.5″ throat space and knee lift come into play because both features are beneficial when working with garments clothes.  In addition, the Brilliant produces a beautiful straight-stitch, while also offering 190 other stitch patterns, including 10 different one-step buttonhole patterns.

+ Beautiful Straight Stitch
+ Tons of garment-making stitch patterns like automatic buttonhole, eyelet, bartack, overcasting, & more.
+ Compatible with straight-stitch needle plate
+ 7 millimeter stitch width capability.
+ Comes with 190 different stitch patterns.

Baby Lock Brilliant Stitch Chart

Ease of Use ★★★★★

When it comes to machines in the $500-$1,000, Baby Lock’s machines are probably the easiest to use.  The bobbin winder system in the easiest to wind.  The automatic needle threader is second to none.  The top-loading drop-in bobbin case is easy to load and clean.  It offers great vision due to the larger throat space in combination with extra LED lighting located in the throat and around the needle. The screen is larger than the Presto 2 and shows a detailed representation of the stitch pattern instead of merely showing corresponding stitch pattern number

+ Extra lighting in throat and around needle.
+ Truly automatic needle threader.
+ Top loading bobbin is easy to drop-in and thread.
+ Automatic thread trimmers.
+ Programmable Needle up/down.
+ Take-up lever is easy to thread.
+ Easy to use Bobbin Winder.
+ The Baby Lock Brilliant is a Sewing Machine Shop staff favorite, meaning that we know this machine extremely well, so we are good at helping people learn how to use it.

Reliability ★★★★★

+ Baby Lock electronics are exceptional; we have sold this machine for nearly a decade and see very few problems.
+ Like all the machines we sell, the Brilliant is designed with an internal frame made of metal, not plastic.
+ The Brilliant is a horizontal rotary hook machines with a top-loading bobbin, which is easy to use and does not lend itself to user error.  Ease of use and reliability are inextricably linked: less user error means increased machine longevity.
+ One of the most common issues we see is when the user accidentally threads the machine and forgets to properly thread the take-up lever.  All machines, including the Brilliant, are susceptible to this problem. However, the take-up lever on the Brilliant is relatively easy to see and thread properly.

Heavy Duty ★★★☆☆

+ The Baby Lock Brilliant can sew denim and quilts without issue.  However if you plant to sewing a light leather or vinyl for the majority of your projects, then I might consider a more heavy duty machine.

Customer Satisfaction ★★★★★

+ Generally speaking, the more throat space, the happier a sewist will be.  As long as price is not an issue, nobody regrets getting a machine with 8.5″ throat instead of 6.5″. It’s one of those features that you use every time you sit down to sew.
+ The feel of this machine is incredibly smooth due to the larger footprint. Sewists who come from an older machine comment on how smooth the machine sews every time.
+ The Brilliant has a user-friendly design that is easy to thread.  Threading the machine properly is half the battle, so we highly value ease of threading and ease of use.

Baby Lock Brilliant

If you like sound of the Brilliant, but don’t care about knee-lift capability for hands-free sewing, a larger screen, and mores stitch patterns to choose from, consider the Baby Lock Presto 2 at $799.

If you want the same sewing capabilities in a sewing-embroidery combination machine, consider the Brother NQ3550.

If you want a machine that offers the same reliability and all the same ease of use features, but want something more heavy-duty, consider the Janome Skyline S6.

KEY FEATURES FOR THE BABY LOCK BRILLIANT 

• 190 built-in stitches including 10 one-step buttonholes
• Advanced needle threader
• LCD screen
• Push button features
• Knee lift
• Quick-set, drop-in bobbin
• Programmable stitch functions

BABY LOCK BRILLIANT ACCESSORIES

• Soft cover case
• 14 Accessory feet
• Buttonhole
• Overcasting
• Monogramming
• Zipper
• Zig zag
• Blind stitch
• Button fitting
• Walking
• Free- Motion Quilting
• Stitch guide
• Adjustable zipper/piping
• Nonstick
• Open toe
• 1/4″ quilting

Instruction Manual PDF for Baby Lock Brilliant