Babylock Zeal BL35 Sewing Machine

Overview

Baby Lock sewing machines are some of the best sewing machines out there. They are perfect for beginners or experienced sewers alike. 

The Zeal sewing machine is part of the Genuine Collection from Baby Lock. It is one of the best sewing machines for those wanting to craft, mend, or just create the best DIY project. The Zeal has many features, accessories, and capabilities.

Top Features

25 Built-In Stitches: Bring on your creativity with 25 different stitches that range from straight stitches, zigzag stitches, to decorative stitches.

One-Step Buttonhole Stitch: The one-step buttonhole foot and stitch make it super easy to create the perfect buttonhole each and every time.

Built-in Needle Threader: No more squinting your eyes and struggling to thread the needle as the built-in needle threader makes it as easy as 1-2-3.

Quick-Set, Drop-In Bobbin: Simply drop in your bobbin and pull the thread through the slot to start sewing any project.

Free-Arm Sewing: Hemming pants has never been easier with the removable flatbed. Simply remove the flatbed and use the free arm.

Variable Stitch length and Width: Changing the width is as easy as turning a dial, and you can be basting or gathering in no time.

Included Accessories

• 6 different feet
  • Automatic Buttonhole
  • Button Fitting
  • Overedge
  • Zipper
  • Blind hem
  • General Purpose
• 4 Bobbins
• Needle Package
• Screw Driver
• Seam Ripper
• Small and Large Spool Caps
• Additional Spool Pin
• Quilting Guide
• Felt Cushion
• Lint Brush

Comparison to Others in Series

The Baby Lock Zeal is comparable to the Baby Lock Zest and the Baby Lock Joy in price and capabilities, but the Zeal has just a few more perks compared to the other two:

Baby Lock Zeal vs. Baby Lock Joy

Needle positions and Needle Threader: While the Joy only has 2 needle positions, the Zeal has variable needle positions. Needle positions can be very useful since they allow you to have stitching placed exactly where you want it. Both have the built-in needle threader, which makes threading the needle fast and easy.

Buttonhole Steps: The Zeal has the quick one-step buttonhole, while the Joy has the four-step. The one-step makes sewing a buttonhole faster and easier on the Zeal. The Zeal also comes with a Button Fitting foot that the Joy does not.

Included Feet: The Zeal has more feet with six compared to Joy’s four. The Joy is missing the button fitting foot and the overedge foot. The button fitting foot allows you to easily attach buttons on fabric. While the overedge foot allows thread to wrap around the edge of fabric, which is used often when making blankets and other items with sewn edges. Even though the Zeal is missing the zigzag foot that the Joy comes with, the Zeal does have the General Purpose foot, which covers zig zags.

Stitches: The Zeal can create 25 stitches to include straight, zigzag, and various decorative stitches, while the Joy only has 19.

Bobbin Loading: Both the Zeal and Joy have a drop-in, but the Zeal has one more extra feature being a quick-set, which makes starting the bobbin easy and quick.

Included Accessories:  The Zeal has a bit more accessories included compared to the Joy. Not only does the Zeal have the two extra feet mentioned before, but the Zeal also has an extra bobbin included. In addition, the Zeal has an additional spool pin, quilting guide, felt cushion, and lint brush, which the Joy does not.

Thread Cutter:  The only thing that the Zeal does not have that may have been useful, but not necessary, is an attached thread cutter, which the Joy has. An attached thread cutter could make it a bit easier to cut thread from machine, but it can also easily be done with a hand thread cutter.

Baby Lock Zeal vs. Baby Lock Zest

Needle positions and Needle Threader: Both the Zeal and Zest have variable needle positions. The Zeal does have a needle threader that the Zest does not.

Buttonhole Steps: The Zeal has the quick one-step buttonhole, while the Zest has the four-step. As mentioned before, the one-step makes sewing a buttonhole faster and easier on the Zeal. The Zeal also comes with a Button Fitting foot that the Zest does not.

Included Feet: The Zeal has more feet included with the purchase of the machine compared to the Zest. The Zeal has six, while the Zest has four. The two extra that the Zeal has is the button fitting foot and the overedge foot. The Zest does have a Zig Zag foot that the Zeal does not have, but the Zeal has the General Purpose foot, which would include zig zags.

Stitches: The Zeal can create 25 different stitches while the Zest has ten fewer at 15.

Bobbin Loading: The Zest has a front-loading bobbin, which is common with older machines, but can cause more trouble than the newer drop-in bobbins. The Zeal, on the other hand, has a quick-set drop-in, which makes starting the bobbin easy and quick.

Included Accessories:  The accessories included with the Zeal is a bit more than the Zest. As mentioned before, the Zeal has two extra feet that the Zest does not have. In addition, the Zeal has one extra bobbin, which can come in handy when you like working with multiple colored thread. It also has an additional spool pin, quilting guide, felt cushion, and lint brush, which the Zest does not have included.

Thread Cutter: Neither the Zest nor the Zeal have an attached thread cutter.

Babylock Zeal Final Touches

The Zeal is a great sewing machine for the crafter and DIY’er. It has an array of different stitches, which covers everything from hemming to creating decorative lines on items. Its simple design makes it easy for the beginner, but its convenient features make it advanced enough for the novice sewer.