I have been sewing for a good part my life and quilting for a long time but finally came to the realization that when we go beyond ours and our sewing machines limitations, it ceases to be as much fun. I know now that I can't push my old machine to do the things that a newer machine or a long arm does. When I try I just get frustrated. Now I do lots of stitch in the ditch and grid work on the machine. If I want fancier stitching I do a little by hand and am finally proud of what I do. Hope this helps the newer quilters to not get so frustrated when their seams ripple and their stiching gets wonky. Cuppi