I'm not sure why someone would tell you that you can't piece and FMQ on the same machine. Until I burned the motor out (quite literally) on my old reliable Kenmore, bought a Singer sewing machine, which was replaced about a year later to a Janome 4000, but at least I got the price I paid for the Singer as trade-in on the Janome; I pieced and quilted on the same machine. However, I should stipulate that I did mainly SID or straight line quilting, except for using the pre -printed papers with the quilt designs printed on them, after piecing a quilt. I am still trying to master FMQ., but unless you will be carrying a machine back and forth to classes, I cannot see why you can't piece and FMQ on the same machine. Perhaps that person has stock in a sewing machine company, and wants to sell you a new machine.