Baby Lock Imagine (BLE1AT-2) review
DiscontinuedReplaced by babylock-victory$$$ 1–2kAir-threading overlocker, discontinued · in Sergers hub
Discontinued
Baby Lock stopped making this model and replaced it with the Victory (BLS3). This review stays up for people buying used or finding old stock.
VerdictSpecs checked against Baby Lock data · Checked Sep 2026
7.7/107.7
out of 10
The Imagine was Baby Lock's 3 and 4 thread serger with Jet-Air looper threading and no tension dials; it is discontinued and replaced by the Victory, so the live question is whether a used Imagine at $500 to $900 beats a new air threading Juki MO-1000 or a new Victory from a dealer.
Who it's for
A sewist who hates threading and tension fiddling, is buying used or from a dealer's remaining stock, and does not need 2 thread stitches or coverstitch.
Skip it if
You want a current model with a fresh warranty (the Victory), you need 2 thread or coverstitch capability, or you can buy a new air threading Juki for the price of a used Imagine.
Price band$1,000–2,000
$$$ 1–2kSerger
Find a Baby Lock dealerBaby Lock publishes dealer pricing only. Ask a dealer for today's price.
Real cost to get sewing
Machine $$$ 1–2k4 cones of serger threadNeedles once the system is confirmed from the manualSerger oil and a lint brushOptional Imagine and Enlighten accessory feet kit, sold separately by Baby LockTension spring service out of warranty, reported by one owner as not cheap
Specs
Research pass 2026-09-29 · manufacturer page check pendingSource: amazon.com · babylock.com · moores-sew.com. Bracketed cells are values the manufacturer does not publish; we never fill a spec we can't source.
Where sources disagree
- Status: the Imagine BLE1AT-2 is listed by Baby Lock under previous model accessories and a PatternReview thread on the new Baby Lock lineup states the Victory replaced the Imagine, the Celebrate replaced the Eclipse and the Acclaim replaced the Enlighten. Dealer pages still show Imagine listings. Catalog will mark discontinued, replaced by the Victory.
- Price: Baby Lock does not publish prices and no current new dealer price appeared in results. Owners on PatternReview reported paying $950 and $1,800 new in earlier years; a used unit sold on eBay near $550. Catalog shows no price band and marks [verify].
- Spec attribution: the 1,500 spm, stitch width, differential ratio, 7.8 kg weight and 280 x 340 x 290 mm dimensions appeared in a search snippet for a Japan model parallel import Amazon listing of the BLE1AT-2, not the Baby Lock US spec sheet (babylock.com/imagine-ble1at-2-spec-sheet), which could not be opened. Weight is converted from 7.8 kg. Verify against the US spec sheet.
- Needle system: a dealer snippet listed HAx1SP, 130/705H and ELx705CF household needles for Baby Lock sergers without tying the list to the Imagine, and a PatternReview thread on Imagine needles points to standard universal needles. Left null pending the manual.
- Model numbers: BLE1AT (original Imagine) and BLE1AT-2 (later Imagine) are different revisions; the Imagine Wave (BLE3ATW) is a separate wave stitch model. Reviews for all three are mixed together on PatternReview.
Manufacturer claims we quote but do not assert (3)
- "Can you imagine how easy serging would be if you didn't have to thread the loopers" (manufacturer brochure headline, babylock.com resource download)
- "Automatic Thread Delivery System - no tensions" (manufacturer feature name, brochure)
- "Best serger on the market" (owner comment on a PatternReview review, not a manufacturer claim)
Strengths
Jet-Air looper threading and Automatic Thread Delivery remove the two steps beginners struggle with most
Owner reports on PatternReview span 1998 to recent years with the same praise: quiet, smooth, no tension problems
Baby Lock's 25 year limited warranty with 10 year parts as stated by dealers, if bought new from remaining stock
Weaknesses
Discontinued; Baby Lock lists it under previous models and the Victory has taken its slot
3 and 4 thread only, no 2 thread and no coverstitch; the Wave and the combo machines cover those
No published price, and the automatic tension springs are a documented wear item with a dealer only repair
Check before you buy
3 checks01
Confirm BLE1AT-2, not BLE1AT or Imagine WaveThree Imagine models share the name. BLE1AT-2 is the later 3/4 thread revision; the Wave (BLE3ATW) adds a wave stitch. Used listings and dealer bundles mix them up.
02
Ask whether the warranty transfersBaby Lock's 25 year limited warranty is stated by dealers for the original purchaser. On a used or demo unit ask the dealer what coverage remains and what a tension spring repair costs.
03
Compare against the Victory and the Juki MO-1000Baby Lock's Victory replaced the Imagine at a dealer price near $2,089. Juki's MO-1000 offers air threading online. Price all three before paying near new money for an Imagine.
What owners say
Paraphrased, attributed. We did not operate this machine.positive
PatternReview owners recommend the Imagine for running smoothly and quietly, threading easily and never needing tension adjustment thanks to the automatic thread delivery; one owner's 1998 unit was still in daily use.sewing.patternreview.com
negative
One owner reports the tiny springs in the automatic tension system wore out after about two and a half years and the repair was not cheap; another disliked fiddly threading and vibration on a 2008 unit.sewing.patternreview.com
mixed
A PatternReview discussion thread finds the Imagine louder than a Bernina serger but praises the absence of tension and thread breakage problems; buyers asking about the BLE1AT vs BLE1AT-2 difference get told the revisions are minor.sewing.patternreview.com
mixed
A service technician advised one owner to pull threads through by hand after trouble with the air threader; a thread on stitches showing at the seam points to needle and differential settings rather than the machine.sewing.patternreview.com
Questions people ask
Is the Baby Lock Imagine discontinued?
Yes. Baby Lock lists the Imagine under previous model accessories, and dealers and PatternReview posters state the Victory replaced it in the current lineup.
What replaced the Imagine?
The Baby Lock Victory, which keeps Jet-Air threading and automatic tension. Dealer pricing for the Victory was seen near $2,089.
How much does the Imagine cost?
Baby Lock does not publish prices and no current new price appeared in results. Owners reported paying $950 and $1,800 new in earlier years; a used unit sold on eBay near $550.
Does the Imagine have tension dials?
No. It uses Baby Lock's Automatic Thread Delivery system, which sets tension without dials and lets you thread in any order.
How fast is the Imagine?
A listing snippet gives 1,500 stitches per minute. The Baby Lock US spec sheet could not be opened to confirm.
Does the Imagine do 2 thread stitches or coverstitch?
No. The Imagine BLE1AT-2 is a 2 needle 4 thread and 1 needle 3 thread overlock with rolled hem. Coverstitch is on Baby Lock's combo machines.
What is the difference between BLE1AT and BLE1AT-2?
Both are Imagines; the -2 is the later revision. PatternReview posters describe the differences as minor, and Baby Lock's manual and spec sheet carry the BLE1AT-2 number.
How heavy is the Imagine?
A listing snippet gives 7.8 kg, about 17.2 lb, with dimensions of 340 x 280 x 290 mm. Verify against the Baby Lock spec sheet.
What needles does the Imagine take?
Not confirmed in results found. A PatternReview thread points to standard universal needles; check the manual before buying.
What is the Imagine warranty?
Dealers state Baby Lock's 25 year limited warranty with 10 years parts, 5 years electrical and 1 year labor for the original purchaser.
