I bought my Viking Ruby last fall and love it. It is so easy to use and I really enjoy the embrodery part as well; to the point that I keep my Kenmore set up still so that if I need to embroidery and quilt/sew at the same time I can do it. The LQS should offer free classes and embroidery club. The one that I go to does and then she'll add some additional classes when there is something we really want to learn. For me and several others it was the cutwork needles; love, love them. Now my next request above the monthly class is the endless hoop. I have it and want to create. There is one machine out after mine but is alot more. It only has one hoop that I can' use but the Ruby has a lot of different hoops and sizes to use. If you can get a deal on the Ruby I'd go with it because it offers alot more especially when you get into the embroidery part of it. My dealer has told me that many times because she has the designer. Good luck on your purchase. And way to go to help someone else tap into their creative side by getting into quilting.