Baby Lock Joy Sewing Machine

The Baby Lock Joy is a beginner sewing machine for hemming, mending, sewing on patches and small craft and home projects. It pairs a built-in needle threader and a drop-in bobbin with 19 built-in stitches in an 11.5-pound machine you can carry to class. Three dials set the stitch, length and width, so there's no screen to learn.

Why buy from Imagine Sewing & Vacuum

• Authorized Baby Lock dealer. Only authorized retailers can issue Baby Lock warranties, so your Joy 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 threading, tension and buttonhole questions, before and after you buy.
• Free shipping on orders over $299.

Made for first projects and everyday repairs

• Easier threading. The built-in needle threader saves you from squinting at the needle eye.
• A bobbin you can see. The quick-set, drop-in bobbin sits under a clear cover, so you can see how much thread is left.
• Three simple dials. Choose a stitch, then set the length from 0 to 4 mm and the width from 0 to 5 mm.
• Stitches for knits. Set the length dial to S.S. to sew the stretch versions of the stitches for T-shirts, leggings and other knits.
• Buttonholes that fit. With the sliding buttonhole foot, Baby Lock says the four-step buttonhole is sized to match your button.
• Free-motion ready. Drop the feed dogs to darn, mend or try free-motion stitching.
• Free arm and thread cutter. Slide off the extension table to hem pant legs and sleeves, and trim threads with the side cutter.
• Easy to carry. At 11.5 pounds, the Joy weighs less than the Zest or the Zeal.

Is the Joy right for you?

It's the best fit if you're new to sewing, or coming back to it, and want a needle threader and a drop-in bobbin without paying for a computerized machine.

Good to know before you buy: the Joy sews a four-step buttonhole, not a one-step. It has a manual thread cutter, 2 needle positions and no screen, speed control or needle up/down button. Baby Lock lists a 7-piece foot kit and a free-motion quilting foot as compatible feet, but no walking foot.

• On a tighter budget? The Baby Lock Zest has 15 stitches and a front-loading bobbin, without a needle threader or width dial.
• Want a one-step buttonhole and more feet? The Baby Lock Zeal has 25 stitches, one-step buttonholes, a presser foot pressure dial and 6 included feet.
• Want a screen and speed control? The Baby Lock Jubilant is computerized, with 80 stitches, an LCD screen, a start/stop button and stitches up to 7 mm wide.

Expert tip

"For knit fabrics, turn the length dial to S.S. and choose one of the stretch stitches in the lower row of the stitch chart. Those stitches build give into the seam, so it won't pop when the fabric stretches. Use a ballpoint or stretch needle, and test on a scrap of the same knit first."

Greg, Owner, Imagine Sewing & Vacuum

Specifications

What's in the box

• Baby Lock Joy with electronic foot control
• 4 snap-on feet: zigzag (on the machine), zipper, blind hem and sliding buttonhole
• 3 bobbins
• Needle package
• Seam ripper and screwdriver
• Large and small spool caps
• Instruction book

Warranty

Baby Lock covers the Joy with a 25-year limited warranty: 10 years on parts, 2 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 Joy at babylock.com after it arrives.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between the Baby Lock Joy and the Zest?

The Joy adds a built-in needle threader, a drop-in bobbin, a stitch width dial, drop feed and 4 more stitches. It's also lighter, at 11.5 pounds to the Zest's 13. The Zest costs less.

What's the difference between the Joy and the Zeal?

The Zeal sews a one-step buttonhole sized to your button, has 25 stitches, adds a presser foot pressure dial and comes with 6 feet instead of 4. It weighs 14.9 pounds. The Joy is lighter and costs less.

Is the Joy computerized?

No. You select stitches and settings with three dials, and there's no screen or menu.

Can I quilt on the Joy?

You can piece small projects, and drop feed lets you free-motion quilt. Baby Lock lists a free-motion quilting foot for the Joy, sold separately. With a 6-inch sewing bed, it suits table runners and baby quilts more than large quilts.

What needles does the Joy use?

Standard household needles (HAx1). The manual recommends size 11/75 or 14/90 for general sewing.