My first sewing machine was a Kenmore that I bought in 1972. That machine has sewn more stitches than our national debt, and has never been serviced! I still use it for really heavy-duty things. My next machine was purchased in 2002--it's a Kenmore (made by Janome). It has a free-arm, and has been a good machine. In 2011, I got a Janome 6600...it was love at first sight and we will surely be together until death do us part. It doesn't have a free-arm, but I have that on the older machine, so no problem. The 6600 has all the wonderful features I've ever wanted.