I learned today that Brother no longer sells or manufactures parts for the Brother 8500. In November I purchased a Brother 960 and am totally dissatisfied. After looking around I'm told the machine that comes close to my old 8500 is the Brother Laura Ashley. Before I go to see it, I'd like to know if anyone has had experience with this machine (good or bad). It sounds good but I want to know if someone has practical experience with it.

Sorry for your disappointment. I typed in the Brother Laura Ashley into search and came up with quite a few pieces of info on it. If no one here has it, maybe you would find some info there?

I saw it the other day at my sew and vac, and they told me it has replaced the qc1000 (which I have, and by reading the description, it sounds just like it). I love my machine. It has more stitches than I will ever use, comes with quite a few feet, has all the functions the laura ashley machine seems to have. Maybe you can see if they have a qc1000 to look at. I imagine the price will be much better.

I have a 2003D which is very similar to the 8500. I can't remember if the stitches are the same for regular sewing as I haven't seen an 8500 in a long time, but the embroidery is close.
Good luck on your search. I know how hard it is to get use to a new machine.