Welcome from Lowell, MA. I started out sewing on a Stradivaro (made in Japan machine), then moved to a Sears Kenmore - which died a fire when I burned up the motor - I'm serious. Then I switched to a Singer, which I liked but I kept having problems with the tension, so the dealer gave me the original cost of the Singer on a Janome 4000, and we have been happily quilting along for quite a while. I also have a Brother machine, free, plus another free Kenmore, can't remember which model, but has all the bells and whistles that my Jonome has. These were obtained at the town incinerator where people brought things they no longer wanted and I lucked out. I also had a Singer in a cabinet, which I gave to my sister's granddaughter, and a Kenmore in a cabinet which I gave to my new DIL It always pays to be prepared in case one of my babies has to go into the shop. Happy quilting.