i have both machines they work the same, nice running

gail=r,
thanks for all the info you are providing, very helpful for us that are looking for an embroidery machine. My dealer has offered me the Sophia 2. How would you compare it to the Ellegante you have described? the Sophia 2 new is about $2000. I know it has a USB type A (not sure what type A means)
I believe the loop is 4x4 with option of one a little bit larger.
I want to buy a machine that I won't need to change for years to come. I do have a Pfaff for quilting with the IDF which I won't change for nothing in the world (well, unless there was a machine with the IDF and stitch regulator.
Looking forward for your input adn thanks in advance
andrea

MadQuilter-
what is teh Pfaff that you don't get along with? I cannot think of not having a Pfaff for quilting.
andrea

I have a Babylock Espire and love it. When I took my free lesson, another lady was there with a Brother that was almost identical. I asked if they were made by Babylock. She told me that Babylock did not make Brother and that Brother did not make Babylock, but they used the same manufacturing plant and that's why the machines look similiar. They give them the specs and they build it for them.

I guess it would be like two soda plants using the same bottling company.

It is the 2058 and it is sitting in the closet. One of these days I plan to sell it. Just because I don't get along with it (nothing wrong with the machine after all) doesn't mean it can't be a good machine for someone else.

I ended up buying the Babylock Espire and LOVELOVELOVE her."Quilla" is a real lady. I took the classes for the machine and got to know her well. Now I am taking quilting classes so I get better at the FMQ. All of my projects so far have been small practice pieces but I don't know why she wouldn't quilt a large quilt. The throat space is nice and open! Much bigger than on the Pfaff.

The other gals in the class have either Janome or Pfaff and they are continually fighting with their bobbin tension. My Babylock has not given me any grief NO MATTER how the tension was set. No rats nests, no tangles and when the stitches were pulled it was user error (too little gas - too tight turns)

OMG....2K is WAY too much money for the Sofia. You should be able to get the Ellure Plus for that amount of money. Alot more machine with 5 x 7 Embroidery area. The Sofia sells in my neck of the woods for $600-800.

I have a Brother SQ-9000 for piecing (lower end price wise, but is very solid and has some good quilting features for a machine at this price level), and a BabyLock Quilters Choice Professional on a NewJoy frame for quilting. I love both. Brother machines are truly solid little workhorses....I have had 3, of which DH now uses one and 1 is stored for grandaughter when she's a bit older.

The BabyLock is a DREAM!! I love quilting with it.

You really can't go wrong with either of these brands.

[quote=Boscobd]I have a Baby Lock Quilter's Choice Professional that I got about 1 1/2 years ago and I absolutely LOVE it! It sews like a champ (has a semi-industrial motor) and is very smooth and solid. Being a machine made for quilting, it doesn't have any fancy options - straight stitch only with 4 settings for the feed dogs. I have learned to FM with it as well. I highly recommend this machine. :thumbup:[/quote
They are very nice machines and yes they are solid.

I have it also and love it a real work horse

Don't believe the rumor of "no machines in heaven" God has many plans for us, if there are no machines then he will have something better. In other words buy what you want here and enjoy it.