I have a Bernina Deco 650. I like it because it is a stand alone machine. I also haven't upgraded because I have more than $1000 tied up in software. It uses the PES format. I also subscribed to Martha Pullen's embroidery club for several years and have lots of designs on DVDs. I also invested in a magic box so that I could use those designs. Like computers the technology is constantly being updated and makes my equipment outdated. I have made hundreds of embroidered items over the almost 20 years I have had an embroidery machine. All of my children and grandchildren have recieved gifts I made with my embroidery machine. My eldest son=in-law is a hot shot executive. I purchased some expensive dress shirts for him one year and monogramed the sleeves. He probably told his co-workers that they came from a famous men's store.
I make all kinds of favors for our quilt retreats as well as Christmas ornaments and little goodies for my Bee friends. Last Christmas each of my granchildren got personalized pillowcases. I have a problem with dribbling on my ample chest. Most of my everyday tops have some kind of embroidery on the front to disquise the stains. I am presently embroiderying the names of each family in my church congregation. They will go beneath a paperpieced house block that represents each family in a quilt we are making to celebrate the 250 anniversary of the founding of the church. I have drawers full of stabilizers, different size hoops and of course thread and software. I have made two bedsized quilts that had some embroidery in each block.
I use my embroidery machine a lot.