I should leave mine in it travel case, but I always unpack it. Think I like it sitting out, and then sometimes I use it when my other machines are busy! I would love to get a little featherweight or a 301 which I may prefer, what a workhorse they are. I am going to have to be more productive than I am now to justifiy another machine though. There is 3 Janome Gems right, gold, platnium and ? They are all good, just more bells and whistles I think.