I have the Janome 300, it is a wonderful machine and takes all makes of thread. I love the fact that I can Embroider and sew at the same time. I use Embird software which is easy to use, but I do have to put my designs onto cards then into the machine, I have a number of cards. So have my designs handy at all times. I do have the large hoop but the only time I have used it is to embroider clocks.