EEK! This is getting too long to read!
But I have to put in my two cents anyway:
I'm using two of the less expensive Janomes and an old metal Singer. The Janomes do some special things I needed but do drive me crazy because they don't have that 1/4 " mark and the feet are clunky (too big) for some jobs.
I put tape on the Janome face plates which is okay and only okay but I go back to the Singer for the 1/4" foot to apply binding and other tasks so I won't get me fingers in the way of the clunky Janome feet.
Next time I'll go to an expo someplace and look every machine in the eye, then the face plate, and finally in the feet!
Jois