So happy for you.... these machines are wonderful. I have had the 16 - moved to the Avante 18 - last year made the move to the Fusion 24 - fantastic machines all of them. Have had good luck with Groz Beckert needles - the 16 size is good for quilting cottons. You will need to move up to 18 or 20 needle for batiks. Lately I have found that Glide thread is a wonderful thread and my machine purrs like a kitten....love this thread. I do order the M style pre-wound bobbins from Superior Threads... Good luck --have fun.