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Baby Lock Eclipse Review (2023 Update)
Note from the Editor: This Baby Lock Eclipse review was originally written in 2014, and has been revised and updated in 2023. Since Baby Lock Eclipse is now discontinued, we have added alternatives such as Janome 8002D, Juki MO-1000, and SINGER | S0230 Serger.
While going through the inventory of new sergers and sewing machines at Cynthia’s Fine Fabrics in Tamarac, Florida, I had an opportunity to review the Baby Lock Eclipse, a basic serger with Baby Lock’s exclusive Jet Air threading.
Baby Lock Eclipse Overview
Baby Lock Eclipse is a highly equipped serger that has several convenient features, starting with automatic needle threader, adjustable stitch lengths and widths, jet air threading, adjustable rolled hem, and a lot more. For threading, you need to follow the color coded threading guide provided on the body of the machine. It has a 2/3/4 thread accommodation and comes with a side thread cutter. It alsp features a differential feed and a fabric support system.
Baby Lock Eclipse is a discontinued product. We recommend trying out other alternatives that we have added to this post.
The Baby Lock Eclipse appears to be quite a bit different from other Baby Lock sergers. First of all, it has tension dials, a clear indication that unlike other Baby Lock sergers, this one requires the user to adjust the tension manually.
The Eclipse has dials to adjust the stitch length and width, a differential feed lever, adjustable presser foot pressure, dial adjustable rolled hem, side thread cutter, and an accessories storage compartment beneath the two spool pins on the right hand side.
Inside the looper door you will find the threading guide along with the jet air threading mechanism and a large sign that tells you “DO NOT OIL”.
There isn’t much to figure out here. Just insert the looper threads in the appropriate threading ports, follow the instructions and the loopers are threaded instantaneously.
There is also a large, well illuminated work space, bright lighting and an easy to follow seam guide.
What are some alternatives for Baby Lock Eclipse?
We have already mentioned in this review that the Baby Lock Eclipse is a discontinued product. Here are some alternatives that we recommend instead.
The Janome 8002D serger is an easy-to-use serger device with the ability to perform really fast. With its high-speed and precision, you can create professional-looking edges and seams in minutes. The machine features a 3 or 4 thread overlock stitching capability, allowing you to finish raw edges, create rolled hems, and add decorative edges to your projects.
The Janome 8002D also has a differential feed system, which helps prevent puckering and stretching of the fabric. It allows you to adjust the ratio of the differential feed to suit different types of fabrics. The machine also has an adjustable cutting width and stitch length, allowing you to customize your sewing to fit your project.
The Janome 8002D is also easy to use, with color-coded threading guides and a built-in thread cutter. The machine comes with a range of accessories, such as spare needles, screwdrivers, and tweezers, making it a complete package for your sewing needs.
Overall, the Janome 8002D is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a reliable and versatile serger that can handle a wide range of sewing projects. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced sewer, this machine is sure to meet your needs and exceed your expectations.
The Juki MO-1000 serger is a high-end industrial grade serger. It features looper air threading, which is a new feature that uses a strong force of air for easy threading. The differential feed can be easily adjusted according to what suits the fabric. In fact, you can make this adjustment even while the machine is sewing. The throat is perched at a height of 72.4 mm, which gives you an ample amount of work area. The machine delivers work quite smoothly and is relatively quiet due to its efficient sound reducing design. The needle area is also brightly lit to promote safe working.
The Singer S0230 HD Serger transforms sewing with its time-saving capabilities. Seam and seam finish are effortlessly combined and trimmed simultaneously, streamlining your projects. With the flexibility of using 2, 3, or 4 threads and a Color-Coded Threading System, this serger caters to various stitch combinations. The Differential Feed ensures smooth sewing on stretchy fabrics without distortion, while the Built-in Free Arm facilitates precise work on small sleeves and cuffs. Operating at 1,300 stitches per minute, this serger ensures professional results, making it an ideal choice for garments, children's clothing, and more.
What are the features on Baby Lock Eclipse?
- Automatic needle threader
- Differential feed
- Adjustable stitch length and width
- On board accessory storage
- Jet air threading
- Bright LED on board lighting
- Side thread cutter
- Adjustable presser foot pressure
- Dial adjustable rolled hem
- Fabric support system
- Sews up to 1500 stitches per minute
Working on the Baby Lock Eclipse
To thread the Baby Lock Eclipse, insert the looper threads in the threading ports one at a time and press the lever which sends the thread through the entire system, if there are any questions or if there is any doubt as to how to thread the loopers, a convenient threading guide is on the inside of the looper door.
The needles are threaded the traditional way, through the tension discs and threading guides. There is the benefit of an automatic needle threader.
Aside from that, however, the upper threads are loaded the old fashioned way. Once the Eclipse is threaded and ready to sew, operating it is quite easy. Merely place the fabric on the machine bed and press the foot pedal.
For this review, I sampled the four thread overlock stitch. While sewing, I made gradual adjustments to the stitch length and width settings.
It didn’t matter which setting was selected, the stitches are ideal – well formed, well defined and sturdy. My only reservation is the fact that the Baby Lock Eclipse is on the noisy side.
On the day I reviewed this serger, I had been in Cynthia’s Fines Fabric reviewing sergers for the better part of the morning and was a bit surprised.
After all, I had already reviewed several Baby Lock sergers and found them all to be very quiet. I will add, however, that the Eclipse, although a bit noisy, is solid, well built and in spite of the acoustics, it did not vibrate at all.
Whhich fabrics work on the Baby Lock Eclipse?
| Fabrics that work | Fabrics that don’t work |
|---|---|
| Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester Knits(Medium to heavyweight only) Upholstery | Leather/suede Fur Reptile skin Canvas/Twill Plastic/Rubber Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers |
What acceessories come with the Baby Lock Eclipse?
Standard accessories:
- Instructional DVD
- Owner’s manual
- Allen wrench
- Looper threading tool
- Lint brush/needle insertion tool
- Extra needles
- 2 screwdrivers
- 4 spool caps
- 4 sponge discs
- 4 thread nets
- 4 cone holders
- Soft cover
- Replacement upper cutting blade
Optional accessories:
- Beading foot
- Blindhem foot
- Clear foot
- 2 cording / piping foot (3mm and 5mm)
- Elastic applicator foot
- Flat sole foot
- Lace applicator foot
- Ruffling foot
- Size 90 top stitch needles
How to maintain the Baby Lock Eclipse?
| Maintenance activities | After each use | Monthly | Once each year | As needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clean race hook and feed dogs | Yes | No | No | No |
| Wipe head with soft dry cloth | No | No | No | Yes |
| Wipe head with soft damp cloth | No | No | No | Yes |
| Lubricate | No | No | No | No |
| Service by sewing machine repair professional | No | No | Yes | No |
Baby Lock Eclipse Summary
The Baby Lock Eclipse is an excellent starter serger. It is simple enough to operate that a child as young as ten can master its use and operation with some supervision, but not too much.
Someone at the middle school level would need a minimum amount of supervision in the beginning, but none at all after just a few turns at threading and operating it.
The Baby Lock Eclipse is not just for beginners, though. I think this machine would be an excellent addition to the sewing room of anyone who is well accustomed to working with a serger and wants to simply add a very basic serger to their sewing room inventory.
It doesn’t have all the frills and bells and whistles one might find on some of the newer sergers on today’s market. It is a solid workhorse, capable of performing all the basic tasks one would expect of a serger.
If you invest in a Baby Lock Eclipse, you will be able to get excellent overlock, overcast, rolled hem, gathering and flatlock stitches with just a little bit of practice.
Although the Baby Lock Eclipse is a little bit louder than I had initially expected, the noise level is not so high that it is annoying or uncomfortable.
The stitch quality is excellent – which is the most important factor when considering any sewing machine or serger. The fact that there is no vibration is an added advantage.
Nobody wants to work on a machine that is shaking and shimmying while you are trying to execute some intricate stitching maneuver, especially on a machine that sews up to 1500 stitches per minute.
Although the Baby Lock Eclipse has a standard finger guard, I do not recommend this or any other serger for use by children younger than ten years of age.
There is simply too much of a risk of the child getting his or fingers in the way of the blade and getting seriously injured.
In my opinion, it is only common sense to keep young children away from any machine that has a blade, needles and moves so fast, but some people actually need to be told to keep young children away from sergers.
They feel that a child that can operate a manual sewing machine, or even an uncomplicated computerized sewing machine, should be ready to learn to use a serger.
As far as I’m concerned, it doesn’t matter how much a child may want to learn to use a serger, they should not be allowed to operate one – even under the strict supervision of an adult.
I feel that anyone ten or older, however, would do well on the Baby Lock Eclipse. It is possibly one of the best basic sergers I have reviewed to date.
I recommend it for anyone who is in the market for a basic serger. If you are in the market for a new basic serger, I suggest you take a long hard look at the Baby Lock Eclipse before making a final decision.
Baby Lock Eclipse Review
Summary
The Baby Lock Eclipse serger is a high-quality, 4-thread serger that is perfect for both beginners and experienced sewers. It features a variety of innovative features, such as Jet-Air threading, differential feed, and a Fabric Support System. The Eclipse serger also has a large stitch length dial and an automatic rolled hem feature. It is a versatile serger that can be used for a variety of projects, including hems, rolled edges, and decorative stitches.
Sure, here is a product summary of the Baby Lock Eclipse serger:
The Baby Lock Eclipse serger is a high-quality, 4-thread serger that is perfect for both beginners and experienced sewers. It features a variety of innovative features, such as Jet-Air threading, differential feed, and a Fabric Support System. The Eclipse serger also has a large stitch length dial and an automatic rolled hem feature. It is a versatile serger that can be used for a variety of projects, including hems, rolled edges, and decorative stitches.
The Baby Lock Eclipse serger is a great option for those who are looking for a high-quality, versatile serger that is easy to use. It is perfect for beginners and experienced sewers who want a machine that can produce professional results.
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Happy Stitching.
I was very impressed with reading your total review of the new Baby Lock Eclipse DX.
I have had a Singer 3/4 thread and now own a Simplicity 2/3/4 thread for the past 21
years and would like to have a serger that is easier to thread and have a great stitch.
I feel I have learned very much from your review and thank you for your help in making a new decision on buying a new serger.