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Baby Lock Rachel Review (2023 update)
Editor’s Note: This Baby Lock Rachel review was written in 2014, revised and updated in 2022. We have listed machines from other brands similar to Baby Lock Rachel that you might want to look at. In order of increasing price, we recommend the Brother CS600i, Janome MOD-50 and the Singer 9960.
Baby Lock Rachel is a computerized sewing machine designed to replace the Baby Lock Grace, which has been on the market for a long time. The main difference is that the Rachel has a few additional stitch options as well as some enhancements to the under the cover technology.
Baby Lock Rachel – Overview
Baby Lock Rachel falls among the leveled-up lot of mechanical sewing machines. It comes with 50 stitching styles, five one-step buttonholes, a speed control slider, an automatic thread cutter, a free arm, drop feed, etc., and much more. This device defines convenience and is very easy to get the hang of. You can customize stitch length and width settings. When a stitch is made, a bright LCD window with backlighting shows the stitch number, the best foot for the presser, and the default length and width settings for the stitch.
At A Glance
The Baby Lock Rachel has a sleek rounded design with an on board stitch guide, a bright back-lit LCD display screen, a variable speed control slider, start/stop button, easy to follow threading guides, and a huge dial that is used to select stitches. There are also buttons to adjust the stitch length and width as well as buttons to set the machine for working with a double needle and a reverse stitch locking button. There is also a drop in bobbin with a see through cover which allows you to see exactly how much thread is left on the bobbin, an on board thread cutter, an automatic needle threader and an on board accessories case that reveals the free arm when it is removed.
Features
- 50 Built-in stitches
- 5 one-step buttonholes
- Drop-in bobbin
- On board needle threader
- Quick-set bobbin
- Free-arm
- Drop feed
- Needle up/down
- Variable speed control slider
- Start/stop button
- Adjustable stitch length and width
- Variable needle positions
- Automatic thread cutter
Working on the Baby Lock Rachel
Following the easy to use thread guide and bobbin winder are easy enough for any beginner to master after just one attempt. The on board stitch selection guide and dial are equally as easy to use.
In my opinion, the only stitch selection process that might be easier than this dial is a keypad that allows you to simply choose the desired stitch by touching the corresponding numbers with your fingertips. Once a stitch is identified, the bright back-lit LCD window displays the stitch number, the presser ideal foot and the default length and width settings. If you want to change the settings for length or width, just use the plus and minus keys on the right side of the screen to move the settings up or down until you get the stitch size you want. There is also a button that allows you to set the machine for sewing with a double needle. When the Baby Lock Rachel is set to use a double needle, that setting is also shown on the display screen. After sampling several different utility and decorative stitch options, I came to the conclusion that each stitch came out with perfection.
The stitches made by the Baby Lock Rachel are as precise as stitches made by computerized sewing machines that cost a lot more. Every stitch I sampled was perfectly formed, stable, secure and well defined. However, there was one difficulty in working on the Baby Lock Rachel. There was a lot of vibration, especially when I moved the speed slider from slow to fast. The faster I attempted to sew, the more the machine vibrated. At the very highest speed, I was concerned that it might vibrate so much that it could possibly fall off of certain sewing tables.
Alternatives to the Baby Lock Rachel
There are many newer and better alternatives to the Baby Lock Rachel now available in the market. In order of increasing price, we recommend the Brother CS600i, Janome MOD-50 and the Singer 9960. Details below:
Affordable and user-friendly, the Brother CS6000i Sewing and Quilting Machine is a versatile companion for crafting enthusiasts. Boasting 60 built-in sewing stitches, including decorative options and 7 auto-size buttonholes, it offers diverse creative possibilities. The automatic needle threader and jam-resistant drop-in top bobbin streamline the setup. Equipped with a backlit LCD screen, the machine allows easy stitch selection, while the included accessories, from a hard protective case to a wide table, enhance its functionality. Ideal for beginners and hobbyists, this portable machine combines convenience with a range of quilting and sewing features.
- Threading guides make it easy to use
- Great amount of buttonhole styles, foot accessories, and thread options
- The overall amount of stitch settings might be less than what other models offer
The Janome MOD-50, part of the diverse Mod line, offers 50 built-in stitches, including 3 one-step buttonholes. Ideal for unleashing creativity, it simplifies sewing modern garments, home decor, and quilts. With user-friendly features like easy threading, top-loading bobbin, and convenient buttons, this machine caters to both beginners and intermediate sewists. Its precision and reliability make it a go-to tool for tackling sewing projects with confidence. The MOD-50 seamlessly blends innovation and functionality for a satisfying sewing experience.
- Extensive Built-in Stitches
- Easy Reverse Button
- Can be a little noisy
Versatility, premium features, and precision define the Singer Quantum Stylist 9960. The sewing machine scores full marks in terms of 600 built-in stitches, which comprise stretch, decorative, and quilting options to pamper your inner sewer. Then, the device comes ahead with a needle threader and automatic thread cutter to save you time. You will even come across a speed control slider designed for both professionals and beginners. The machine also startles you with 13 fully automatic buttonholes and a wide array of presser feet to boost the value so you can sew diverse projects.
- Various stitching options
- Intuitive, easy-to-read LCD screen
- Allows 850 stitches per minute with a robust motor
- You get an additional table and wide presser feet.
- Heavy structure.
- Limited throat space for massive quilting projects.
Baby Lock Rachel: Fabrics
| Fabrics that work | Fabrics that don’t work |
|---|---|
Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet Knits Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester |
Accessories
- 7 Snap-on presser feet
- Blind stitch
- Button fitting
- Buttonhole
- Overcasting
- Satin stitch
- Standard/zig zag
- Zipper
- Soft cover
- 2 Screwdrivers (1 large/1 small)
- 4 Bobbins
- Extra needles
- Twin needle
- Plastic accessories pouch
- 3 Spool caps (1 large/1 medium/1 small)
- Quick reference guide
- Owner’s manual
BabyLock Rachel: Maintenance
| 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 |
Don’t miss: Best Mechanical Sewing Machines
Tying Off The Loose Ends
The Baby Lock Rachel is one of those sewing machines that you either love or hate. I love the stitch quality and the easy stitch selection process. I hate the fact that it vibrates so badly that it could very easily fall off of a table when sewing at higher speed levels. Once I moved the speed slider beyond the halfway point, the machine started vibrating. The faster it went, the more violently it vibrated. This is a huge no-no for someone like me who is accustomed to sewing at high speeds. I love the ease of threading the Baby Lock Rachel and winding the bobbin, but I am not at all pleased with the location of the drop feed control.
Before you can get to the control lever, you have to remove the accessories case and then reach around to the rear of the free arm. In my opinion, the placement of the drop feed control was determined by someone who really doesn’t understand sewing. They may have a great understanding about what it takes to make a good quality sewing machine, but when it comes to efficiency, they fall short. Anyone who places a function control where it is not easy to access clearly doesn’t understand what it is to be a person who actually sews.
If you have been reading reviews on this site for any length of time, you already know this is my pet peeve about many of the newer sewing machine models. If you do a lot of freehand sewing, daring, attaching buttons or bartacking, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
When I consider the vibration problem – which is far more troublesome to me than the placement of the drop feed control – I cannot give the Baby Lock Rachel the high rating that the stitch quality would normally dictate. I think anyone who is comfortable sewing at reduced speeds, then the Rachel might just be for you.
When you take into account the ease with which you can thread this sewing machine and how easy it is to select the various decorative and utility stitch options, this could be a good choice for someone who is just beginning to sew and is intimidated by sewing at high speeds. The problem, however, comes about when that person gets accustomed to working on the Rachel and decides they are ready to literally put their sewing into high gear. Without the vibration problem, I would not hesitate to give the Baby Lock Rachel an overall rating of 5 stars.
If the Baby Lock Rachel didn’t shake so much, I would recommend it to anyone who wants to use a computerized sewing machine, no matter how old or skilled they are. I was greatly disappointed when I realized just how unstable the Baby Lock Rachel is and sincerely hope the manufacturer goes back to the drawing board on this one to take whatever steps are necessary to correct the problem with the vibration as quickly as possible. Until then, I cannot in good conscience recommend that anyone purchase this sewing machine.
I think the Baby Lock Rachel will be a great addition to any sewing room once the vibration problem is fixed. Until then, however, I must advise anyone in the market for a beginner level computerized sewing machine that they continue to shop around. There are plenty of other computerized sewing machines on the market in this price range that do not vibrate nearly as much as this one if at all.
If you are an advanced sewist, have a look at our best sewing machines, best sewing books and best sewing magazines posts and if you are looking to get a mechanical, heavy duty, quilting or industrial sewing machine, have a look at some of our great articles. If you are a beginner sewist, review our best sewing books for beginners, best sewing machines for beginners and best sewing machines under $200 to get started.
For brand related articles, check Best Bernette | Best Bernina | Best Brother | Best Husqvarna Viking | Best Janome | Best Juki | Best Singer |
For best accessories, check Best Chairs | Best tables | Best tracing paper | Best machine oils | Best scissors and shears | Best presser feet | Best needles | Best sewing kits |
Happy Stitching.
Other Baby Lock reviews you may like
BabyLock Enlighten Review (2023 update)
The Baby Lock Enlighten is one no ordinary serger. It is a 2/3/4 thread machine that can not only perform all the tasks of a basic serger, it can also render lots of other stitch options as well. When I first saw it, I thought I was looking at a Baby Lock Imagine, but upon closer examination, I discovered some very significant differences. The Enlighten has all the great features of the Imagine plus a few more features that the home sewer who is already an expert when it comes to working with a basic serger is bound to appreciate.
BabyLock Imagine Review (2023 update)
How often do you get to watch a sewing machine store owner uncrate and test a brand new serger? I was lucky enough to witness the whole process when Cynthia’s Fine Fabrics opened up a new Baby Lock Imagine. Watching this third generation serger being put through its paces was really a treat. It is simple enough for a beginner to use, yet it can do so many things, and do them with such precision I have no doubt that a seasoned home sewer would be thrilled to work on it as well.
Baby Lock Evolution Review (2023 Update)
The exclusive Baby Lock ExtraordinAir threading system, tubular loopers and easy thread needles are easy enough for a beginner, but I think this eight thread serger should be used by the intermediate or advanced home sewer. There are far too many choices for the novice. In my opinion, if you get too many options before learning the basics of using a serger at home, you run the dangerous risk of getting frustrated and leaving the serger in the closet just collecting dust. A seasoned home sewer, however, could truly appreciate all that the Baby Lock Evolution brings and be very happy with it.
Baby Lock Rachel Review
Summary
The Baby Lock Rachel is one of those sewing machines that you either love or hate. I love the stitch quality and the easy stitch selection process. I hate the fact that it vibrates so badly that it could very easily fall off of a table when sewing at higher speed levels. For this price range, I recommend looking at other alternatives from Singer, Brother or Janome
If you are an advanced sewist, have a look at our best sewing machines, best sewing books and best sewing magazines posts and if you are looking to get a mechanical, heavy duty, quilting or industrial sewing machine, have a look at some of our great articles. If you are a beginner sewist, review our best sewing books for beginners, best sewing machines for beginners and best sewing machines under $200 to get started.
For brand related articles, check Best Bernette | Best Bernina | Best Brother | Best Husqvarna Viking | Best Janome | Best Juki | Best Singer |
For best accessories, check Best Chairs | Best tables | Best tracing paper | Best machine oils | Best scissors and shears | Best presser feet | Best needles | Best sewing kits |
Happy Stitching.
I usually sew at top speed and have no problem with vibration on my machine. I have it in a sturdy drop down table. I give this a 5 star rating.
I’m a quilting guy. I need a machine that is a speed demon! I have a sewing table that takes two people to move, so if I can attach it to the drop shelf I’m good..Does it have bolt holes on the bottom? How does the straight stitch look?
Thank you for sharing your positive experience, Joyce and thank you for visiting Sewing Insight.
No doubt, you are working on a table built and designed for stability. As with most reviews, this machine was reviewed in a store. Some sewing machines and sergers I review are mounted on actual sewing tables. Others are not. This particular machine was not on a sewing table, but rather on one of those long conference type tables. I will definitely share this insight with the store owner.
Happy stitching.
I have been sewing on the Baby Lock Rachel for 2 weeks. I prefer to use the foot pedal as opposed to the start/stop button on the machine. I really like being able to press a button and the machine automatically back stitches at the beginning and end of the seam. I love the stitch dial selector and that the display tells you what foot to use for each stitch. No having to pull out manual to see which foot to use. This may sound silly but I love the instruction guide because it is all written in English. The Singer machine I have the instruction guide has directions in English, Spanish,German,and French. It is so confusing the way they have it payed out. So far so good I like the machine.
I own a Baby Lock Symphony and just purchased a Rachael. I make fabric wrapped baskets so I needed a tough machine. I love the Rachael’s curved top, as it makes a wonderful addition to my Baby Lock family for what I do. I am very hard on my machines, and these machines are tough. I am using them as commercial machines and they have never let me down. Perfect for sewing anything, and tough, tough, tough!!! I also teach quilting and sewing classes. The Rachael is very light weight, again, just exactly what I needed.
How do you feel this machine would work with quilting? That’s in advance!!!
I purchased Rachel for my son with high functioning autism. He was attending a sewing camp, and I needed something safe and not frustrating. The speed control is great for kids. The slowest speed crawls. I’ve never seen any machine on the market that can run that slow. Also the error message will ring if your presser foot is up and will not run the machine. After 30 hours for the week long sewing camp, no accidents at all or meltdowns. He calls it his machine and loves it. As for vibrating, there was none at my home on top of my dining room table. At camp, they used the cheap yard sale tables. Every child’s machine which were Janomes and Singers including Rachel vibrated somewhat but not dangerously. The straight stitch is super nice and may give my featherweight some competition. It can also be stored easily in one of the Joann’s rolling bags. Only thing I don’t like is that the default stitch is left of center. I prefer that sewing machines turn on and be in the center position. Also if you put the whole assessory bag in the storage compartment, it does not fit well. You have to take it out for the compartment to close. I would still give it 4 stars only because the center needle position is a must for safety. Center should always be the default especially if you are a quilter and like using piecing feet which are often single holed. I have tons of different brand machines that start in center needle position so I will need to train this old brain to not forget to move the stitch to #2.
You can change the default needle position to be either in the center position, or left of center. The procedure is in the manual on page 36: “While pressing the needle mode selection key, turn on the sewing machine. When the machine beeps twice, release the needle mode selection key”
This was something we also wanted to change, and were very happy to find the option in the manual.
Thank you for the reference. However, I firmly believe it should come to the customer in center needle position. I have no idea what they were thinking. As an avid sewer and quilter, I want it the way I’ve traditionally done in the past without having to change something. It’s a small change for Babylock to do, but I think it would be wise for them to do this. This was a class machine for me so I expected to sew with it right out of the box and, honestly, without reading the manual. There are other quilters in my guild complaining of the same thing so thank you, Joe, for the information so I can share with them.
Thank you, thank you. I have broken so many needles since buying this machine a year ago. I was ready to give up on it. I love everything else about the machine. It sews evenly, is light weight to take to sewing groups, has a great choice of stitches, love that it tells you which pressure foot to use and the light is bright. What more could hobby seamstress want!
I have very expensive machines that vibrate on those conference tables. I had a Grace and could sew full out on the tables I have at home. I think in this case the problem is the table and not the machine.
I have to disagree with some of your observations.
Vibration: I replaced my old Grace Baby Lock with a Rachel. I have absolutely NO problem with vibration. I see no difference between the two machines in regards to vibration, and you gave the Grace 5 out of 5. I sew on a heavy oak kitchen table, but have used the lunch room style table, and both machines vibrate more on the light weight tables.
Fabrics: Based on actual sewing projects,I would rate the fabrics as:
yes – Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool [up to 6 layers any speed]
yes – Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet [up to 6 layers any speed]
yes- Knits [up to 5 layers any speed]
yes – Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester [up to 6 layers any speed]
yes – Upholstery [up to 3 layers for flat felled seams any speed]
yes – Leather/suede [2 layers of lambskin, calf skin, or suede, slow or medium speed]
yes – Canvas/Twill [up to 5 layers for 9 oz. canvas, any speed]
yes – Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers [see notes above]
Have had my machine 3 years now. I am frustrated with the poor stitch and ability of this on heavy material . I tried to sew a zipper in my winter coat and the stitch was uneven and the needle kept pulling out. I changed the needle to a heavy denim needle and no difference. Longer stitch as well. Not impressed. I need a heavy duty machine. This is fine for dress making only.. Also the girl I bought it from at the store could not figure out how to demonstrate the needle threader and I was never able to figure it out as well. Just threaded it by hand it was much easier. Other than that issue with sewing heavy things it works great. Stitch quality is perfect unless you try and sew heavy things.
I’m so disappointed in this machine. I bought it specifically with quilting in mind and the sales lady who sold it to me swore it would be fine. She was really really wrong . The second you sew anything with a thickness it’s stitch lengths go right out the window and a walking foot doesn’t help.
This was my first “nice” machine and it’s been anything but. I was stupid and left it in the box for a year before trying to use it it. I’ve owned it for three years but only really recently tried to use it. I’m not able to afford to replace it but maybe I can at least get this piece of crap out of my house.
I know this is an older review and comments but I’m surprised. I own a Grace and a Rachel and have never had vibration issues with either one. I have used them in a classroom setting on super cheap molded plastic, long folding tables, and I use them in my shop on 1950s kitchen dinette tables. I had an old inexpensive Brother machine that bounced so badly I’d have to chase after it and move it back across the table every few minutes. I also should point out that I sew exclusively on the highest speed setting, I never turn down the speed and the pedal is always to the floor. Also, I disagree with this machine (or previous “Grace” model) being unable to sew thicker fabrics or multiple layers. I have sewn suede, garment leather, denim, etc. It’s not a commercial grade by any means, but it will go through heavier materials. I would not try to sew tooling leather or finish denim with a tripled rolled hem of course, but it will certainly go through two layers of denim. One final note… I LOVE that the default stitch is to the left! I think that is brilliant and makes it much easier to see and calculate seam allowance. The Rachel’s motor is noticeably smoother than the previous Grace was, in fact I think overall the Rachel vibrates even less than Grace and is quieter. The only complaint I had with the Rachel is they changed the hook that holds the thread against the top of the needle (marked step 6 in threading sequence). The Rachel version is just a little slip of metal with a second “hook” of metal to hold it in place and that second hook is like a paper thin piece of mylar and will quickly pull out of place and hang down like it’s broken if you pull the thread out of the machine from the front or if the thread gets caught mid-stitch. Took forever to figure out how to get it back in place and almost ripped off completely. It’s very flimsy and disappointing that Baby Lock would change the design from the Grace which was a sturdy proper metal curved hook that held the thread in place and does not flex. Just this past weekend, my original Grace from 2012 finally gave out and I replaced it with a Jubilant which is the equivalent current model. It sews as well as the Rachel right out of the box, super smooth stitches. The default stitch does look wider than the Grace/Rachel but it could be my imagination. The flimsy thread hooks are still there like on the Rachel and that’s disappointing. The main disappointment is they changed the default needle setting to the center! Ugh! Now the left position is set to stitch number 3, which means a lot of messed up garments because I’m used to starting on stitch 1 when I turn on the machine. I have yet to check the manual to see if it can be re-programmed.
Since buying a Babylock Rachel 3 years & 3 months ago I have experienced major, major frustrations with that machine. It constantly loops from the bobbin thread. I’ve made six trips back to the store where I purchased it. After each trip it would work fine for a little while then gradually get worse and start looping again. It has been to the service technician twice in the last three weeks. The owner of the store claims she just heard about the problem yesterday. Sounds like she and her staff do not communicate very well. I am thoroughly disgusted and discouraged with that machine. I purchased a big expensive lemon apparently!