Embroidery Machine Guide

Baby Lock · Embroidery only · Specs checked October 2026

Baby Lock Alliance: hoop size, file formats and specs

Also written: BNAL, Babylock Alliance, Baby Lock Alliance BNAL, Alliance embroidery machine

Baby Lock's dedicated single-needle embroidery machine. It stitches an 8 × 8 in (200 × 200 mm) field at up to 1,000 stitches per minute and comes with six hoops. A cap frame is optional. It has no Wi-Fi, and Baby Lock now files it under previous models.

The Baby Lock Alliance is a discontinued embroidery-only machine with a 8 × 8 in (200 × 200 mm) embroidery field. It reads .PES, .PHC, .PEC, .DST files and gets designs by USB stick or USB cable to a computer, and has 125 built-in designs and 25 lettering fonts.

Alliance hoop size and embroidery area

The Alliance can stitch a design up to 8 × 8 in (200 × 200 mm) in one hooping, which is the 8 × 8 in size. That is the field limit: a larger hoop from another maker will not let it stitch a bigger area.

6 × 10Alliance field5 × 74 × 4
The Alliance field (filled) next to standard hoop sizes, drawn to scale.

In the box: 8 × 8 in hoop (ALF200) (8 × 8 in (200 × 200 mm)), 4 × 4 in hoop (EPF100) (4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm)), 2 × 2 in hoop (ALF50) (2 × 2 in (50 × 50 mm)), 1-5/8 × 2-3/4 in hoop (ALF70) (1.6 × 2.8 in (41 × 70 mm)), 1-5/16 × 2-15/16 in compact hoop (ALF74) (1.3 × 3 in (33 × 75 mm)), 1-1/2 × 1-3/4 in compact oval hoop (ALF44) (1.5 × 1.7 in (38 × 44 mm)).

Optional from Baby Lock: 5-1/8 × 7-1/8 in hoop (EPF180) (5 × 7 in (130 × 180 mm)), 4 × 7 in continuous border hoop (ALBF) (4 × 7 in (100 × 180 mm)).

Cap frame: Cap frame set (EPCF3) (5 × 2.4 in (130 × 60 mm)), sold separately.

Fits in one hooping at typical size: left chest, pocket, sleeve, cap front, cap side and back, beanie, towel, baby onesie, baby bib, tote bag, pillow cover, quilt block, patch.

Check if your design fits the Alliance

What file format does the Alliance use?

The Alliance reads .PES, .PHC, .PEC and .DST files. You load designs by USB stick or USB cable to a computer. Designs in other formats (for example .JEF or .EXP) need converting first with embroidery software.

Where to buy the Baby Lock Alliance

Discontinued: you will mostly find it used or refurbished.

Check price on Amazon

Baby Lock machines are mainly sold through local dealers, which often include classes and service.

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Baby Lock Alliance specs

TypeEmbroidery only
Embroidery field8 × 8 in (200 × 200 mm)
Hoops included8 × 8 in hoop (ALF200) (8 × 8 in (200 × 200 mm)); 4 × 4 in hoop (EPF100) (4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm)); 2 × 2 in hoop (ALF50) (2 × 2 in (50 × 50 mm)); 1-5/8 × 2-3/4 in hoop (ALF70) (1.6 × 2.8 in (41 × 70 mm)); 1-5/16 × 2-15/16 in compact hoop (ALF74) (1.3 × 3 in (33 × 75 mm)); 1-1/2 × 1-3/4 in compact oval hoop (ALF44) (1.5 × 1.7 in (38 × 44 mm))
Optional hoops5-1/8 × 7-1/8 in hoop (EPF180) (5 × 7 in (130 × 180 mm)); 4 × 7 in continuous border hoop (ALBF) (4 × 7 in (100 × 180 mm))
Cap frameCap frame set (EPCF3) (optional)
File formats it reads.PES, .PHC, .PEC, .DST
Design transferUSB stick or USB cable to a computer
Built-in designs125
Lettering fonts25
Screencolour, touch screen
Max embroidery speed1000 stitches per minute
Weight68 lb (30.8 kg)
StatusDiscontinued
Skill levelBeginner

Who the Alliance is for

A home embroiderer or small craft seller who wants a dedicated single-needle machine with an 8 × 8 in field, small hoops for finished items and an optional cap frame. Skip it if you need Wi-Fi, a bigger field, or a machine Baby Lock still sells new.

Strengths

  • 8 × 8 in (200 × 200 mm) embroidery field, with the 8 × 8 in hoop in the box
  • Six hoops come with it, from 8 × 8 in down to small compact hoops for small items such as pockets, gloves and headbands
  • Stitches up to 1,000 stitches per minute, with automatic upper and bobbin thread trimming and a push-button needle threader
  • Free-arm design for hard-to-reach spots such as inside pockets, plush toys and shoes
  • Optional Baby Lock cap frame set (130 × 60 mm) for finished caps

Limits

  • Single needle, so you change the thread by hand for every color
  • No Wi-Fi listed; designs come in from USB media or over a USB cable
  • The cap frame is a separate purchase, and it is not in the box
  • Baby Lock now lists it under previous models, so it may be hard to find new

Good to know: Baby Lock's product page and spec sheet agree on the 8 × 8 in field, 125 built-in designs (plus 120 frame combinations), 25 fonts and 1,000 stitches per minute. Baby Lock's product page gives the weight as 68 lb (about 31 kg), machine only. The spec sheet lists the six hoops in the box as 8 × 8 in (ALF200), 4 × 4 in (EPF100), 1-5/8 × 2-3/4 in (ALF70), 2 × 2 in (ALF50), 1-1/2 × 1-3/4 in (ALF44) and one 33 × 75 mm compact hoop (ALF74); its inch figure for the ALF74 reads 1-15/16, while Baby Lock's accessory page gives 1-5/16 × 2-15/16 in (33 × 75 mm), so the millimeter size is used here. Baby Lock does not say which way round the small hoops are attached; widths and heights above follow the order Baby Lock prints. The 5-1/8 × 7-1/8 in hoop (EPF180) is sold as an accessory, and the spec sheet and a Baby Lock class handout list a 4 × 7 in continuous border hoop (ALBF) as an option; the border hoop is not in Baby Lock's current accessory list. The same handout also mentions an 8 × 8 in flat frame (ALFF), a 1-1/2 × 2-3/8 in hoop (EPF60), purse and tote frames and a set of three round hoops (4, 5 and 6 in). Baby Lock gives no stitch areas for those, so they are not listed here. Baby Lock sells a cap frame set (EPCF3, frame, driver and mounting jig) and a frame-only cap hoop (EPCF-B) for it; both handle caps up to 2-3/8 × 5-1/8 in (60 × 130 mm), and the spec sheet calls the set an Advanced Cap Frame Set. The handout names the EPCF3 as the cap frame for this machine. Baby Lock lists one USB Type A and one USB Type B port and ships a USB cable, and it lists no wireless. It gives no screen size and no release year, and dealer pages disagree on the launch year, so releaseYear is left empty. Baby Lock lists the Alliance on its Previous Models pages but never says it is discontinued. Dealer pages disagree too: some still list it for sale and one calls it discontinued. priceRange is left empty because it is no longer a current Baby Lock model.

How the Alliance compares

Listed in our buying guides

Frequently asked questions

What is the embroidery size of the Baby Lock Alliance?

The embroidery field is 8 × 8 in (200 × 200 mm). The 8 × 8 in hoop comes in the box, so you can stitch one design up to that size in a single hooping.

What hoops come with the Baby Lock Alliance?

Six: 8 × 8 in (200 × 200 mm), 4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm), 2 × 2 in (50 × 50 mm), and three small hoops of about 41 × 70, 38 × 44 and 33 × 75 mm. Baby Lock sells a 5-1/8 × 7-1/8 in hoop and a 4 × 7 in border hoop as options.

Can the Baby Lock Alliance embroider hats?

Yes, with Baby Lock's optional cap frame. The cap frame set (EPCF3) includes a frame, a driver and a mounting jig, and it handles caps up to 2-3/8 × 5-1/8 in (60 × 130 mm). It is not in the box.

What embroidery file formats does the Baby Lock Alliance read?

Baby Lock lists .pes, .phc, .pec and .dst files. It has a USB Type A port for media and a USB Type B port for a cable, and it lists no Wi-Fi.

Is the Baby Lock Alliance still sold new?

Baby Lock now lists it under Previous Models, so it is no longer a current Baby Lock machine. Some dealers may still have stock, so ask a Baby Lock dealer before you plan around it.

Sources

Specs come from Baby Lock's own pages and manuals, checked October 2026. Prices are typical ranges, not live prices. We are not affiliated with Baby Lock. See how we research.