Most of the older machines have more throat space than most modern day machines, and although the old ones are as fancy as the new ones, if you can drop the feed dogs, then you can FMQ on them. I several old Singers and I know for a fact that it has more throat space than my Elna Quilter's Dream, AND the older machines won't cost you nearly as much as a new one, with the exception of the FW, and you can SERVICE them yourself, you don't have to take it to someone else to service.