I understand you are hesitant to go with another BabyLock after your experience with the Ellure, but I've never heard of these complaints before re BabyLock and that makes me think your machine is the exception. If you go with BL, be thorough w/ your test-drives until you are well-satisfied it won't be plagued with the same problems. I feel sure you will have better luck this time...its a very reliable brand. Viking is great too! Assuming both are going to serve you well, which one do you like best?