We have the mechanical Janome and also the Janome Gem Silver. I like both. My younger kids, 5 of them , use the Janome Gem silver and learn to quilt on it and I have also taught another young child on it. The Janome Gem Silver is more expensive I think but ours came with all the items for quilting. My 22 yr old learned on the mechanical Janome and so did my now 20 yr old DD. she is the one that now owns it. she doesn't want to part with it.