I just bought a Crescendo and I am still learning the machine. I had an older machine that only had straight stitching with a 4in harp to the right of the needle, and sounded like a thrashing machine when I was machine quilting. I am constantly referring to my manual as the Crescendo has many features I didn't realize a machine had. I went originally for the Janome but after seeing Crescendo in action, I knew this was the machine for me. I love the laser light and the the pen and You tube also has information on how to set these up