I bought the Grand in order to learn machine quilting for my comfort quilts. Found out I hate quilting in all (and I mean all) forms, so I use the 1200 purely for piecing and I love it. It's accurate, a workhorse and in six years never given me a problem. It does need oil regularly. As I am a thread snob I don't know about it being picky about thread..In the last six months I have used pre wound bobbins with success. A great machine in my opinion and a steal as I bought it on Craigs List from someone upgrading to another Pfaff.