Surprise of surprises....I bought a Singer (the one that has an extra length table for quilting) $299 on sale to keep at my daughter's home in No. Carolina. I didn't want to travel with my Bernina unnecessarily. It sews almost like the Bernina. I'm very careful though. I clean all the dust out faithfully. No one else is allowed to use it (perhaps one of her friends) without proper instruction.
I tried to finish a quilt on it, and realized I needed my Bernina to do it. Somehow the Singer wouldn't cooperate. But I have really given it a good go and am pleased.