However frustrating it is to sew with a machine that doesn't have what you want/need, please don't waste good money on a bad machine. Sewing machines are the one thing where you get what you pay for. The cheap ones at Walmart (I know this from personal experience) will not last for the average quilter. They aren't built for the kind of constant sewing that we put them through. The plastic parts will not last. The older machines with metal parts are great for basic piecing or even fmq. The newer, heavy duty machines like Janome and Bernina cost more, but they will do what you want and will last so much longer. I was saving my dollars for a better machine when my brother died a very painful death right in the middle of a quilt. I had to ask DH for his help in the purchase of a different machine. I ended up with a used Janome 6600 and haven't regretted the expense. The machine is amazing.