When I bought my Janome 14000, I really thought bigger was better. Don't get me wrong this machine works wonderfully and has endless potential, but it is BIG. It has all those fantastic 9mm width fancy stitches that made me ooh and ahh like a schoolgirl. What I didn't realize is that "going big" has its downside, too. This machine tends to drag delicate fabrics down the 9mm width hole in the throat plate. I have to use paper leaders when I work with delicate fabric or knit to prevent utter chaos. I have an Embroidery throat plate with a smaller hole, but it won't work with side-to-side stitching. Would I buy this machine if I had it to do over again? Probably not. I do love the machine in many ways, but I am no longer in love with the "bigger is better" philosophy of sewing machine manufacturers.