I have the 15" and like it a lot, to be clear, it's NOT a stitch regulator like most people think of, it's a speed regulator, you sent the spped you want and push the button and it sews at that constant speed. A stitch regulator changes spped as you move the head at different speeds, if you stop moving it stops stitching, Bailey's does not, it keeps stitching till you hit the button. you still have the option of usuing the foot controller, the carriage has a hand lever but my hand would cramp in no time, oh let me backup, the carriage comes with the frame NOT the machine. I haven't spent enough time practicing freehand stuff, but I love pantographs and can do those pretty darn good! When finances permit I will be upgrading to something with more bells and whistles but for a learner the Bailey is great.