Baby Lock proudly presents you with the evolution of the overlocking experience.
Take the journey from then to now!
ExtraordinAir Threading. With the push of a button, a gust of air instantly shoots the thread through all loopers. Threading a serger has never been this fast and frustration-free. There’s a handy threading reference guide inside the looper door that makes learning to use the ExtraordinAir threading system as easy and uncomplicated as possible. In October, my father-in-law called me and said he was at a thrift store and was looking at a sewing machine. He said he didn’t really know what it did but it looked interesting and was in great shape. I asked a few questions and figured out it was a vintage Baby Lock EA-605 serger. Juki Babylock EA-605 Instructions Manual. Juki Babylock EF-405 Instructions Manual. Juki DLU-5490 / 5490-4 / 5490-6 Gauge Set Manual. Juki MOL-3316 Threading Diagram. Juki LH-3188-7 Threading Diagram. Juki LBH-762 Threading Diagram. Juki DLN-415 Threading Diagram.
1956 -Wooden Prototype
It began as a dream to redesign the industrial overlocker for home use.
1963 - First Prototype
The dream was soon to become a reality with the first working prototype.
1967 - Model EF-205
The EF-205 was the first mass produced Baby Lock overlocker (one needle two thread overlocker)
1968 - Model EA-305
This model had two needles and was a four thread safety stitch machine.
1970 - Model EF-405
This was the first Baby Lock 3-thread overlocker, the EF-405 featured one needle, feed dogs, magic slide thread guide and super looper.
1971 - Model EA-605
The First Baby Lock 4-thread Overlocker, this was an improvement on the EA-305. The EA-605 overlocker and double chain stitch needles could be used interchangeably or together for a safety stitch. Cut and sew at the same time.
1977 - Model EF-405M
This model was a one needle, three thread overlocker featuring a narrow rolled hem and adjustable stitch width.
1978 - Model BL3-407
A one needle, three thread overlocker with a narrow rolled hem – an improved version of the EF-405M
1984 - Model BL3-418
This model featured colour coded threading, new cosmetics and a built in lamp.
1986 - Model BL4-428
This was a two needle, four thread overlocker featuring dial adjustable stitch width and free-arm overlocking.
1987 - Model BL4-436DF
The DF in the name of this model stands for differential feed; this was the first Baby Lock to have this feature, thus eliminating puckering and uneven feed.
1990 - Model BL4-838D
Always looking to improve the Baby Lock technicians designed the QTS - Quick Threading System for this model.
1990 - Model BL-101
The first straight needle household blind hemming machine, this light-weight unit creates a commercial blind hem stitch.
1993 - Model BLE1-DX / Eclipse DX
This was the first model to featuring the Jet-Air Thread System, full range differential feed unit and twin cam tension unit.
1994 - BL-101 won the Good Design Prize of the Year in Japan
1995 - Model BLE1-SX
A two needle, four thread overlocker featuring the Easy Glide Threading System.
1996 - Model BLE 1-LX / Eclipse LX
The Eclipse LX was an improvement on the DX as it had an LCD screen which contained all the settings for various stitches, thus eliminating referring to the instruction manual.
1996 “Jet-Air Threading” won the Invention Grand Prix of the Year in Japan
1996 - Model BLE 1-AT / Imagine
The Imagine was released in 1996 and is still available today. Featuring Jet Air Threading System, full range differential feed and ATD - Automatic Thread Delivery system, eliminating tensions forever!
1999 - Model BLE8 / Evolve
The first eight thread combination machine to be released on the market. This had all the overlocking features of the Imagine and included coverstitch. The eight threads made it easier to change from overlocking to coverstitch and back again, giving the home sewer a possible 58 stitch options.
2001 - Model BLCS / Coverstitch Machine
A stand alone coverstitch machine, featuring Jet-Air Threading on the looper, triple, wide (6mm) or narrow (3mm) coverstitch and chain stitch.
2003 - Model BLE3-ATW / Imagine Wave
The Imagine Wave was released complete with patented wave stitch technology, and improved rolled hem adjustment making it easier to stitch curves.
2003 - Model EMB7 / Embellishing Machine
The EMB7 Embellisher, a new and revolutionary machine to the Australian market featuring seven barbed needles, free arm, perfect for felting and free motion embellishing.
2005 - Model BLE8W / Evolve Wave
The BLE8W – Evolve Wave is released with all the features of the Evolve PLUS the exclusive wave stitch and a total of 79 stitch options.
2006 - Model BL097 / Stellar
Mid-range overlocker the Stellar is released to the Australian market with 180 degree rotating door for easy threading.
2008 - Model EMB12 / Twelve Needle Embellishing Machine
Featuring 12 barbed needles, a yarn threading port, ribbon and yarn guides.
2009 - Model BLE1DX-2 / Exlipse DX2
All the features of the original, with a shorter stitch length-starting at .75 and a new look with white covers replacing the ivory covers.
2009 - Model BLE1AT-2 / Imagine 2
A facelift on the original model, a shorter stitch length starting at .75, improved rolled hem adjustment allowing the cutting blade to sit closer to the needles making it easier to stitch curves, and a fresh look with white covers.
2009 - BLE3ATW-2 / Enlighten
This model replaced the Imagine Wave, featuring the ExtraordinAir threading system - both loopers thread with the touch of a button, 3 LED lights, shorter stitch length and white covers.
2009 - Model BLE8W-2 / Evolution
Production on the Evolve Wave ceased and a new version was born in the Evolution. With and even easier threading system, all loopers thread with the push of a button - ExtraordinAir Threading System, a brighter lighting system- 3 LED lights, a shorter stitch length-starting at .75 and white covers instead of ivory. Still with the exclusive Wave Stitch and 79 stitch options.
2009 - Model BLQK / Sashiko Quilting Machine
Babylock Ea 605 Threading Instructions
The Sashiko model BLQK, a revolution in the sewing industry, a machine which only has a bobbin thread and a needle with a hook in the front and a latch wire. With adjustable stitch length and space, it’s perfect for quilting, topstitching on garments, stitching out traditional Sashiko designs and anywhere a hand stitched look is required.
2014 - BLE1 EX / Enspire
The Enspire was released early in 2014 and is an enhanced version of the Eclipse DX. Featuring Jet-Air Threading, micromatic twin cam tension system, 2 LED lights and a shorter distance between the blade and the needles which ensures easier stitching of curves.
2014 - BLES8 / Ovation
Released in August 2014, the Ovation features ExtraordinAir threading, ATD system, 6 LED lights, 5 inch throat space, knee lift, variable speed control, needle screw guard, front mounted presser foot lifter and so much more. This amazing unit is top of the range, and with a full set of accessories available it really is the complete combination overlocker and coverstitch machine.
Thanksgiving was a wonderful day for our family. I hope it was the same for yours. There is much to be grateful for, not the least of which is our on-line quilting community. Now there will be the transition into the Christmas holiday season. I am hoping I can convince Ray to put up our outdoor lights this weekend. I think, of all the holiday decorations, the outdoor lights are my favorite. I like to get them up as early as possible so we can enjoy them for as long as possible.
I have a new toy to share with you! The back story is that my father-in-law shares my love of thrift stores. We both enjoy the hunt as one never really knows what might be found on any given day. In October, my father-in-law called me and said he was at a thrift store and was looking at a sewing machine. He said he didn’t really know what it did but it looked interesting and was in great shape. I asked a few questions and figured out it was a vintage Baby Lock EA-605 serger. I think the model was made in the late 1970’s. It is a heavy little guy, being made of metal rather than plastic. When he said the machine was priced at $25, I asked him to grab it for me. He brought it over a few weeks ago when we were celebrating my birthday. (This was a mighty fine quilty birthday!)
Actually, the serger won’t be used for quilting. In case you aren’t familiar, sergers are used to create a finished seam. There is a blade and four lines of thread. There are threads entering from above and below, though there is no bobbin. As the seam is created, the blade trims the excess fabric close to the finished edge. It is oh-so-cool! Having never used one, I signed up for a basic serger class at a little fabric shop in town. That helped me figure out some of the basics but there is still much to be learned. This particular machine is designed for woven fabrics, not knit fabrics. However my serger class instructor thinks I might be able to get a decent result with knits, so I will have to give it a try.
Because the machine needed a few adjustments I took it to our local sewing repair genius. Deby was able to clean and adjust everything and it runs so smoothly now.
I wanted to practice on something simple so I made some Christmas themed drawstring bags. I have made a few each year for the past two years and have quite a collection now. I love not having as much paper to throw out come Christmas morning. I had a stack of vintage Christmas fabrics to use as well as loads of ribbon for the drawstrings.
I think the tiny ones are just adorable.
I turned this one inside out to show you the finished seam from the serger. I didn’t use the serger for the casing that the ribbons threads through. I switched over to the regular machine for that. Check out the clean finish on that seam. So great! I will practice a bit more and then try something simple like pajama pants.
If by chance you also have a serger, I would love to hear about any resources, blogs or uTube videos you might have found helpful for learning to use a serger. Leave details in the comments.
Finally – Craftsy has gone all out for Black Friday this year. Beginning on Thursday, 11/24/16 classes are $17.99 each. Fabric and notions are all on sale as well. I am quite curious about the Boundless line of solids. I took a look and the prices are amazing. Solids, in a rainbow of thirty different colors, are available in pre-cuts such as layer cakes and jelly rolls, as well as yardage.
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Babylock Ea 605 Threading Kit
I am linking up with a few favorites this week, including the Elm Street Quilts ‘Bag It’ event. Find out all about them at the top of the page, under Link Ups.