I have to say I like the free arm, especially the one on my Bernina (like mentioned; it's narrower than other machines I've used), it makes somethings easier. That said, there are ways about it on a flat bad, and any regular shirt or pants should be no problem. It can get cumbersome and tricky; some times it's the narrow straight stitch foot on my cast iron 201 that makes it easier, some times it's the free arm on my Bernina 730. It all depends, and I'm keeping them both.