Have an ellure plus.....it is ok.....also have an older Viking which in my opinion is much sturdier than the BL......on this one I absolutely hate the cut thread option.....causes the needle to unthread at next sew......so, I don't use it.....before I bought this one I had bought a Brother from Walmart, took it back, should have kept it......this all plastic thing is just the same as it........I have not taken the embroidery classes yet.......still use my old Viking most of the time.......JMHO