You will love it. Mine is not picky about thread. I use mostly Mettler thread, but it uses any other kind too. I have used YLI, Coats & Clark, and others. I don't have a stitch in the ditch foot but it does have a 1/4" foot. I don't use that though. I just figured out where the 1/4" falls and put a sticky pad on the machine to place my fabric against. I know where the fabric should be positioned under the foot. You will learn it easily. The scissors work great on mine. Some people have complained about the thread pulling out of the needle after cutting. When threading, I only use 2 of the holes in the little thread holder. I have two other more expensive machines, but the 1500 is the one I do all my piecing on. I don't quilt on this machine, so I can't speak about that feature. I do oil mine frequently. It will get noisy if you don't keep it oiled good. It is just a great simple machine, like the Singer Featherweight. I have had mine for over 5 years and I use it a lot. If it quit today, I would have to go buy another one just like it. Enjoy using your new one. A lot of folks on this board have one so you can get help here.