My friend with the sitdown HQ 16 says that the most important thing before you purchase this machine is to make sure that you are comfortable with free motion quilting. I had the chance to buy a model at less just before the new, pink model came out and didn't because I don't have much experience with FMQ and was afraid I wouldn't like it. Then I'd be stuck with the machine. So, one of my goals is to practice and see if I eventually like and the other is to save the money to get one. She has quilted queens on it and has won a ribbon for one of her quilts at a national show.