My friend that got me interested in machine embroidery has the same machine as you. She has given up on machine embroidery. My first HV machine was a Designer 1 - still have it. Think it was 10 years later when I bought my Designer Diamond - still have it. Bought the Designer EPIC a year after it was introduced. Love all of them. Have upgraded my embroidery software as new software has been introduced. Know that HV makes embroidery only machines; however, love the new features on the combination sewing/embroidery machines.