Baby Lock Ballad Sewing and Quilting Machine

The Baby Lock Ballad is a computerized quilting and sewing machine for quilters who want room for big projects and steady feeding through thick layers. It gives you 11.25 inches of space to the right of the needle, a Compact Digital Dual-Feed foot and 771 built-in stitches, all run from a 7-inch color touchscreen.

Why buy from Imagine Sewing & Vacuum

• Authorized Baby Lock dealer. Only authorized retailers can issue Baby Lock warranties, so your Ballad is covered by Baby Lock's 25-year limited warranty.
• Sewing specialists since 1922. We've helped sewists and quilters choose the right machine for more than a century.
• Factory-trained technicians. The people who service Baby Lock machines can help with setup, dual-feed and tension questions, before and after you buy.
• Free shipping on orders over $299. This machine qualifies.

Made for thick quilts and big projects

• Room to roll a big quilt. 11.25 inches to the right of the needle is about 3 inches more than the Soprano and Lyric offer.
• Even feeding through thick layers. The Compact Digital Dual-Feed System feeds the top layer along with the feed dogs, with 7.0 mm of clearance for high-loft batting. It works with 36 utility and decorative stitches.
• Threading at the push of a button. The NeverMiss automatic needle threader saves time when you change thread colors often.
• Both hands stay on the quilt. The knee lift raises the presser foot hands-free. With the pivot setting on, the Ballad stops with the needle down and lifts the foot so you can turn a corner.
• A foot control that does more. The multi-function foot control adds a heel tap and side pedal you can program for needle up/down, thread cutting or raising the presser foot.
• 771 stitches for more than quilting. 152 utility stitches, 442 decorative stitches, 14 one-step buttonholes and 5 fonts cover piecing, garments and lettering.
• Fast when you need it. Sew up to 1,050 stitches per minute, slow down with the speed slider, and trim threads with the automatic cutter.

Is the Ballad right for you?

It's the best fit if you quilt large or thick projects and want dual feed, automatic threading and cutting, and plenty of decorative stitches, without paying for stitch regulation.

Good to know before you buy: the Ballad doesn't embroider. It has no stitch regulator, so free-motion stitch length depends on how you move the quilt. The quilting extension table is sold separately (BLMA-ET), and Baby Lock doesn't list a sensor pen, guide beam or internet updates for this model.

• Want regulated free-motion stitches? The Baby Lock Anthem adds StitchSync stitch regulation, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, a guide beam and an included extension table.
• Want a sensor pen and guide beam? The Baby Lock Chorus shares the Ballad's stitches and space, adds both tools and includes the extension table. Baby Lock now lists it as a previous model.
• Want a computerized quilting machine for about half the price? The Baby Lock Soprano has 300 stitches and 8.3 inches of space, with an extension table included.
• Need quilting space on a tighter budget? The Baby Lock Jazz II has 12 inches of space and 28 dial-selected stitches, with no screen or automatic cutter.

Expert tip

"Turn on the pivot setting before your first quilt. The Ballad will stop with the needle down and the presser foot raised, so you can turn the quilt at a corner without it shifting. Then program the multi-function foot control, with needle up/down on one pedal and thread cutting on the other. With the knee lift, both hands stay on the quilt."

Greg, Owner, Imagine Sewing & Vacuum

Specifications

What's in the box

• Baby Lock Ballad quilting and sewing machine
• 13 presser feet: Compact Digital Dual-Feed, 1/4" quilting with guide, buttonhole, overcasting, monogramming, zipper, zigzag, blind stitch, button fitting, free-motion quilting, free-motion open toe, free-motion echo and straight stitch
• Multi-function foot control and knee lift
• Touch pen (stylus)
• 2-thread spool stand
• Specialty bobbin case for bobbin work
• Cord guide bobbin cover and straight stitch needle plate
• Twin needle
• Soft cover

Warranty

Baby Lock covers the Ballad with a 25-year limited warranty: 10 years on parts, 5 years on computer circuits, 5 years on electrical components and 1 year on labor. Baby Lock only honors warranties issued by its authorized retailers. Imagine Sewing & Vacuum is an authorized Baby Lock retailer, so your machine is covered. Register your Ballad at babylock.com after it arrives.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between the Baby Lock Ballad and the Chorus?

They share 771 stitches, 11.25 inches of space, a 7-inch touchscreen and the dual-feed foot. The Chorus adds a sensor pen and guide beam and includes the extension table. The Ballad includes a soft cover and a bobbin work case. The Chorus is now a previous model.

How is the Ballad different from the Anthem?

The Anthem is Baby Lock's newer, higher-priced model. It adds StitchSync stitch regulation, a 10.1-inch screen, a guide beam, wireless software updates, 804 stitches and four dual-feed soles. It weighs 37.5 pounds to the Ballad's 33.7.

How does the Ballad compare with the Soprano, Lyric and Jazz II?

The Soprano (300 stitches) and Lyric (250 stitches) are smaller computerized machines with 8.3 inches of space, 850 stitches per minute and a small LCD screen. The Jazz II has 12 inches of space but only 28 dial-selected stitches and a manual thread cutter.

Does the Ballad have a stitch regulator?

No. In free-motion quilting, stitch length depends on how fast you move the quilt compared with the machine's speed. If you want regulated stitches, look at the Anthem.

Can the Ballad do embroidery or ruler work?

It doesn't embroider. For sewing and embroidery in one machine, see the Baby Lock Aerial. For ruler work, Baby Lock lists an optional ruler foot (BL-HOTRF) and quilting ruler kits.