Wow!!
Thank you all!!
I went and got the brother (in this snow!) I wish I could have done the online thing, but I have a couple of "code red curtains" (curtain that cover classroom doors in a lockdown) that needed to be finished for school on monday. no machine = taking the best of what you can get instantly.
I am going to take your advice when I upgrade -- I will eventually get a "real" quilting machine!
You ladies rock - thank you so much for your help and ideas!