Baby Lock Altair 2: hoop size, file formats and specs
Also written: BLTA2, Altair 2, Altair II, Baby Lock Altair 2 BLTA2
A high-end single-needle sewing and embroidery machine from Baby Lock. It has a 9.5 × 14 in (240 × 360 mm) embroidery field, four hoops in the box, a 10.1 in touchscreen and photo-based design placement through an app. It costs a lot and Baby Lock lists no cap frame.
The Baby Lock Altair 2 is a sewing and embroidery machine with a 9.5 × 14 in (240 × 360 mm) embroidery field. It reads .PES, .PHC, .PEC, .DST files and gets designs by USB stick or Wi-Fi and 30 lettering fonts.
Altair 2 (BLTA2) hoop size and embroidery area
The Altair 2 (BLTA2) can stitch a design up to 9.5 × 14 in (240 × 360 mm) in one hooping, which is the 9.5 × 14 in size. That is the field limit: a larger hoop from another maker will not let it stitch a bigger area.
In the box: 9.5" × 14" IQ Intuition Positioning hoop and grid (9.5 × 14 in (240 × 360 mm)), 9.5" × 9.5" IQ Intuition Positioning hoop and grid (9.5 × 9.5 in (240 × 240 mm)), 5" × 7" IQ Intuition Positioning hoop and grid (5 × 7 in (130 × 180 mm)), 4" × 4" IQ Intuition Positioning hoop and grid (4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm)).
Optional from Baby Lock: 7" × 12" magnetic frame (EMF300) (7 × 12 in (180 × 300 mm)), 7" × 12" embroidery hoop and grid (7 × 12 in (180 × 300 mm)).
Fits in one hooping at typical size: left chest, full front, full back, pocket, sleeve, beanie, towel, baby onesie, baby bib, tote bag, pillow cover, quilt block, patch.
Check if your design fits the Altair 2 (BLTA2)
What file format does the Altair 2 (BLTA2) use?
The Altair 2 (BLTA2) reads .PES, .PHC, .PEC and .DST files. You load designs by USB stick or Wi-Fi, and the IQ Intuition Positioning and Monitoring apps app works with it. Designs in other formats (for example .JEF or .EXP) need converting first with embroidery software.
Where to buy the Baby Lock Altair 2
About $10,284–$10,999 new (checked October 2026)
Baby Lock machines are mainly sold through local dealers, which often include classes and service.
We may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we write. Disclosure.
Baby Lock Altair 2 specs
| Type | Sewing and embroidery |
|---|---|
| Embroidery field | 9.5 × 14 in (240 × 360 mm) |
| Hoops included | 9.5" × 14" IQ Intuition Positioning hoop and grid (9.5 × 14 in (240 × 360 mm)); 9.5" × 9.5" IQ Intuition Positioning hoop and grid (9.5 × 9.5 in (240 × 240 mm)); 5" × 7" IQ Intuition Positioning hoop and grid (5 × 7 in (130 × 180 mm)); 4" × 4" IQ Intuition Positioning hoop and grid (4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm)) |
| Optional hoops | 7" × 12" magnetic frame (EMF300) (7 × 12 in (180 × 300 mm)); 7" × 12" embroidery hoop and grid (7 × 12 in (180 × 300 mm)) |
| Cap frame | No |
| File formats it reads | .PES, .PHC, .PEC, .DST |
| Design transfer | USB stick or Wi-Fi |
| App | IQ Intuition Positioning and Monitoring apps |
| Lettering fonts | 30 |
| Sewing stitches | 774 |
| Screen | 10.1 in, colour, touch screen |
| Max embroidery speed | 1050 stitches per minute |
| Weight | 37.5 lb (17 kg) |
| Status | Sold new |
| Typical price | About $10,284–$10,999 new (checked October 2026) |
| Skill level | Advanced |
Who the Altair 2 (BLTA2) is for
A fit for experienced home embroiderers and quilters who want one machine for big designs and full-size sewing, and who will use the placement and design tools. Skip it if you want a low price, hats, or fast color changes on a multi-needle machine.
Strengths
- Large 9.5 × 14 in (240 × 360 mm) embroidery field means less re-hooping for big designs
- Four hoops come in the box: 9.5 × 14 in, 9.5 × 9.5 in, 5 × 7 in and 4 × 4 in, each with a placement grid
- Embroiders at up to 1,050 stitches per minute
- IQ Intuition Positioning app sends a photo of your hooped fabric to the 10.1 in touchscreen for exact design placement
- Sews as well: 774 built-in stitches, an 11.25 in workspace to the right of the needle, a hands-free knee lift and 14 snap-on presser feet
Limits
- Single needle, so you change the thread by hand for every color
- Baby Lock lists no cap frame for it, so it is not set up for finished hats
- The only optional magnetic frame Baby Lock lists is 7 × 12 in (180 × 300 mm), well under the full field
- Heavy at about 47.6 lb (21.6 kg) with the embroidery unit attached, and priced at the top end of home machines
Good to know: Baby Lock's own pages disagree on a few counts. The product page bullets list 771 sewing stitches and 494 built-in embroidery designs, its spec table lists 534 designs, and the spec sheet PDF lists 774 stitches and 957 designs. We give the stitch count as 774, which appears in both the features text and the spec sheet, and leave the design count blank until the manual settles it. The field is the 9.5 × 14 in (240 × 360 mm) area Baby Lock lists as the maximum embroidery size. The four included hoops are listed in Baby Lock's spec sheet, and the 7 × 12 in magnetic frame (EMF300) is an optional extra. The 7 × 12 in hoop-and-grid size in millimetres is taken from the matching magnetic frame. Baby Lock's page says designs can be sent wirelessly and lists Wi-Fi update notices, but it does not spell out a full Wi-Fi file-transfer spec, so check which wireless features you need. A USB drive works for any design. Baby Lock lists no cap frame. The page does not say the Altair 2 replaces the original Altair.
How the Altair 2 (BLTA2) compares
- Baby Lock Altair 2 vs XJ1: XJ1 has a 9.5 × 14 in field.
Listed in our buying guides
- Embroidery machines with a large hoop
- Sewing and embroidery combo machines
- Embroidery machines for making patches
- Embroidery machines for t-shirts and sweatshirts
- Embroidery machines for quilting
- Embroidery machines for monograms and names
- Embroidery machines for towels
Frequently asked questions
What is the embroidery size of the Baby Lock Altair 2?
The maximum embroidery area is 9.5 × 14 in (240 × 360 mm). Four hoops come with it: 9.5 × 14 in, 9.5 × 9.5 in, 5 × 7 in and 4 × 4 in.
Is there a magnetic hoop for the Baby Lock Altair 2?
Baby Lock lists one optional magnetic frame, 7 × 12 in (180 × 300 mm), model EMF300. It is smaller than the full 9.5 × 14 in field, so use a standard hoop for the largest designs.
What embroidery file formats does the Baby Lock Altair 2 read?
Baby Lock lists .pes, .phc, .pec and .dst files. Load them from a USB drive; the machine has two USB ports.
How much does the Baby Lock Altair 2 cost?
It is priced in the five-figure range new at US dealers. The price range and the date we checked are on this page. Dealers often run sales, so compare before you buy.
Can the Baby Lock Altair 2 embroider hats?
Baby Lock lists no cap frame for the Altair 2, so it is not set up for finished caps. The hoops that come with it are made for flat fabric.
Similar machines
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Brother Dream Machine 2 XV8550D
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Bernina B 880 PLUS
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.EXP, .DST, .PES, .PEC, .JEF, .SEW, .PCS, .XXX
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Brother Luminaire XP3
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.PES, .PHC, .PHX, .DST, .PEN · Wi-Fi
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Brother VM5200
8 × 12 in field
.PES, .PHC, .DST
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Pfaff creative 3.0
10 × 8 in field
.VP3, .VIP, .HUS, .SHV, .DHV, .PEC, .PES, .PCS, .XXX, .SEW, .JEF, .EXP, .DST
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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.