These are all good suggestions, but don't forget about customer service. When I was ready to make my first sewing machine purchase I did my research. I narrowed it down to a Phaff and a Bernina in my price point. Each had an unique feature I liked. However, I was more impressed with the people at the Bernina store, and how they made me feel. Also, they were 45 miles away vs the Phaff store was 100 miles from home. That was 28 years ago. I still have my Bernina 930 and I still only do business with that same Bernina dealer.