I've had many machines, including a Pfaff that I liked very much, but it had a problem with free motion. If that's been solved on later models (mine was from the 90s), I liked it best and that's selecting from many Berninas and Janomes. The problem with machines is that they all sound great in the literature, and although they have good features, those features don't always work well. Iceblossom, of course, gave you good information. I would also check reviews before buying.