For piecing, make sure you get a machine with built in top feed dogs (as well as lower feed dogs). I suggest buying an older Pfaff. They are awesome machines, and you can probably find one for less than $500. I had two and sold one a few years ago when I bought a newer machine with knee lift and thread cutter (Babylock Serenade) besides top feed dogs. I still use the Pfaff for backup. I just didn't need two backup machines.