I agree about the PE770, it's a good starter machine, it is limited to a 4x4 and 5x7 design. The bigger hoop Chasing Hawk mentioned requires you to split a design and reposition the hoop and rejoin the design. That takes some skill and practice. I have Brother and Babylock embroidery machines and sewing machines and have never had any problems with them. They are user friendly, easy to learn. Embird and Embrillance is embroidery software that is inexpensive. They companies sell the basic program very inexpensively and then modules that you can purchase later if you want more bells and whistles.