Thanks for all the helpful ideas and information! I would like to buy from a local dealer if possible. But a great price on a demo might persuade me otherwise. I am looking for a good basic quilting machine, preferably mechanical, with at least a 9" harp if possible, knee bar, needle up/down, and adjustable presser foot pressure. (A little worried that it might be too fast for my nonexistent skills at this point ;-). I'm thinking something like a Juki 2000 or 2010? Maybe dealers bring mostly computerized machines to shows though?