Jane
I purchased a Singer furtura 200 about 2 years ago. It was a great start up machine. You can download designs right from the internet. The largest size hoop is 5x7. I love machine embroidery so much that I bought a Baby Lock Ellegante2 in May. If you are interested in a beginner machine check on line at sewvacdirect. That is where I go my singer. The folks there are great. But if you truly want a top of the line go with Baby Lock. They are so simple to use. I have not taken the FREE classes that came with the machine. The instruction manuals are so detailed that you will be embroidering before you know it. I have made 3 quilts and am starting my 4th. I would be more than happy to talk to you about the Singer machine,
Good Luck to you :D