Bernina, Bernina, Bernina!!! Worth every cent in precision, power, and performance. My Berninas are Trouble-free, easy to learn and use workhorses. I started with a vintage 930 that I bought here, then I was hooked. Next I got a used 440 from my dealer. Now I've got a new 820. They do not disappoint. No trouble going over thick seams. Excellent stitch quality. Another machine I can personally recommend that has excellent quality for a lower price is the Baby Lock Quest Plus. It's $999 at my nearest dealer since it's been replaced by the Serenade. The Quest Plus has built-in dual feed, beautiful perfect stitches, comes with many extras like the extension table and straight stitch plate, and really compares favorably with more expensive machines.