If I had to quilt with a bunch of quilt snobs, then I wouldn't be there long !!! Life is too short to fret over what "things" we have or don't have. Don't get me wrong, I do have a Bernina but I rarely mention it & I did not start with one. I had a white machine which cost less than $100.00 & at the time I was thrilled to have it. One's creations are sometimes made on the very lowest end machines & the results are spectacular. Money cannot make up for the love put into our creations. I agree with mltquilt, my Kia gets me to the same places as someone else's cadillac !!! Whatever machine you have, enjoy the ride.