I decided to try quilting in about 2006. I bought a mat, rotary cutter, rulers, pattern book and all the fabric to make a Christmas Tree skirt. I got so frustrated with my old Sears portable "eating" the leading edge of the blocks and generally misbehaving that I put it all away for five years. Then in 2011, I visited a friend who was a quilter with a beautiful Bernina machine. I came home, and within two days was the proud owner of a Janome 6600 and its sewing table. Seventy projects later, mostly quilts, both the Janome and I are still going strong. I have purchased a Janome Jem to use when traveling and a Baby Lock Tiara to do my quilting. The right machine can be the difference between utter frustration and a really rewarding hobby.