I bought a Bernette 5 years ago and loved the machine. It just didn't do everything I wanted to do as I advanced in quilting. I have traded up twice and currently have a Bernina 630 which is wonderful. You can get a lemon in any machine. A friend had a Jenome that she repaired constantly. I sewed for years on a Singer but they aren't made that well anymore. My daughter and a cousin both bought a low end Brother a year ago and really like it for basic sewing and quilting. You might go to a local dealer and look into a reconditioned higher end machine. Good Luck!