I thought I would chime in here, though I won't be much help. I did a lot of research on embroidery machines and was going to purchase the Janome 350e. Very nice machine and I have a Janome 6600, so I was comfortable with Janome. But after trying it out, and then moving "up the line" to all the other machines (I think I test drove at least a dozen machines), I ended up with a BabyLock Ellisimo. Very expensive, but I did get a very good "deal" on it. I absolutely LOVE, LOVE it, and I have never embroidered before. I have done embroidery on towels and placemats for my Mom's BD, on pillowcases for my ten year old son (who has also used the machine by himself, believe it or not!), and am now making a crazy quilt - all done in the hoop - for my daughter. I'm also doing a huge peacock wall hanging, on dupioni silk fabric, made in blocks, again all in the hoop. I've only had it two weeks and I work full time outside the home, but needless to say, I am determined to really use it!! Did I say I LOVE this machine?