madamekelly

I won't bore you with details of my devotion to Brother machines, but when I went shopping, I had no idea what was out there for me. I have always had a budget friendly machine to sew on with the exception of my first machine that was an old industrial white rotary. (one of which I was gifted for Christmas this year!). Imagine my sense of wonder when I discovered that some machines will thread the needle for me! Eureka! I have glaucoma and as I get older my eyesight will get worse, so a machine that threads the needle will allow me to continue sewing as long as possible. Then I found the thread cutter, push button stitch change, the bells and whistles continue to keep me interested in trying 'new to me' things. I haven't yet used the knee presser foot lift, because those knee pedals on machines I have owned or used, have always been substitutes for the foot feed, not to lift the presser foot. My poor confused knee would end up mixing me up. I know my learning limits. As far as how many stitches, that is a subjective number since as quilters we don't used very many of the fancy stitches, but it is nice to know they are there if I want to play with an idea. (I do like having the ability to do monograms at the touch of a button.)I was especially amazed that my machine will sew sideways which allows me to increase the area a certain pattern will fill. Go shopping, find what is useful to you. A certain brand name is less important than if all the bells and whistles are useful for YOU. Yes, I know, we are all assumed to have brand specific loyalty, but if a different maker meets all your sewing needs, they are your new favorite. Start by playing with machines in shows and shops until you find the one that 'begs to live at your house'. Good luck.