Originally Posted by craftydeb
I saved up and bought a Janome MC4900QC.
I was in the same position as you - had straight and zig zag and wanted more...
Now that I have had the machine for about a year and a half I wish that I would have gone down to one of the lesser ones... I NEVER use the fancy stitches at all. shhh! don't tell my husband! I have actually tried to sell it on craigslist but had no takers. I would have liked to downsize.
I will say that had I not gotten it I would never have tried a walking foot or a 1/4" quilting foot both of which are always at hand these days!!
That's a shame Deb, have you never even tried some of the fancy stitches on some crazy patches? They are REALLY effective. Give yourself a chance, who knows how you will feel in a year or two. When I got my machine, I paid for the embroidery unit too, full well knowing that I had no hope of working out how to use it on my own. 18 months late, I had the opportunity to attend a one day workshop and Hey Presto! I was away. That was all I needed to be able to go forward and do lovely embroideries. I have never been tempted to try to design any myself, I have what feels like a whole computerful of designs I have downloaded for free.