Whatever you decide to buy, get one with a few fancy stitches especially a blanket stitch for machine applique. You never know when you might want to "dress up" something with a fancy stitch and a nice varigated thread. My Kenmore which I love more that life does not have this so I use either my Janome 11000, or Brother 8500D or my new Bernina 440QE. My Kenmore is a little workhorse and I wouldn't part with it for anything.