Thanks for all the helpful advice. I really wanted a Babylock with all the bells and whistles, but decided I needed to start at the bottom and purchase a lower end machine to introduce myself to serging. I purchsed a Janome serger that was easy to thread manually, not intimidating and I felt comfortable using it. I purchased from a dealer so that I could get help and classes even though the model that I purchased is readily available at Hancock's. At $200.00 I felt that it was good starting point for me. I was really afraid to overbuy and would have kicked myself if I invested in a Babylock and then did not use it. Wish me luck!