I bought a used trade in Brother 8500D for $199 to see if machine embroidery suited me. I am still using this machine for all the embroidery I do. I can download designs on a memory stick and use those with accessory that is sold separately. I think I paid $45 for one used. So for less then $250, when the embroidery bug bites, I have what I need. The machine was so easy to learn my five year old grand was doing it right along with me when I first got it. I see all these thousands of dollar embroidery machines most of my quilting friends have and my embroidery looks as good as theirs. Using quality thread, stabilizers and needles makes a big difference no matter what type of embroidery machine you have.