That's how combo machines work too (at least the modern ones).

I love my janome 12000. It's an awesome machine. I do agree with the lady who said better a stand alone embroidery unit, however if space is an issue then I'd suggest the janome. Tap the screen and press a switch and its in embroidery mode or sewing mode. The embroidery unit sits at the back of the machine when not in use. The software is expensive but my goodness it's awesome to use. I'm a complete novice when it comes to embroidering and not much further advanced at quilting but manage this machine with relative ease. Good luck in making your choice.

Buying a sewing machine is like buying a car. YOU have to like it for whatever reasons that are important to you. Yes, it is great to ask for opinions but of course each of us will have our own preference for our reasons. Lots of great machines in great brands with tons of features. Me.....i am a Janome gal and I buy Japanese cars.....always have and always will. It is all about the ergonomics, my experience with and the joy from operating both.

Good luck and happy shopping!

Sandy

i would check my local dealers and find out who has he best classes and support system. Then after you get a machine get on it and practice practice. There can be quite a learning curve with all the different stablizers and types of thread. Have fun with it. There are so many possiblilites with an embroidery machine.

I love my Brother. it is so universal and while it is in embroidery mode I can use my other brother to sew my quilt tops. a win win situation. I also have an industrial bernina very old does straight and zig zag stitchvery fast even faster than the brother embroidery machine and I thought that was fast,

I love my Babylock ! Brother and Babylock are made by the same company.

Love my Babyloc. Download designs on memory stick, pop it in and GO!! Only use it for buttonholes and embroidery. Am lucky to have a Bernina 240 for quilting and other sewing. Do not like Pfaff--mine went dead after 4 yrs of light use. Maybe I got a lemon but when it costs $650 to fix at the main company headquarters, I say "forget it." That's when I traded it in for the Babyloc.

Do not like Brother, love my Janomes ....6600 and 8900 are a dream for quilting. I purchased a 11000 Special Edition at a great price....it is a wonderful machine for sewing and embroidery. When the 12000 and 15000 sewing embroidery machines came out the price on the 11000SE went way down....Allbrands.com, Brubakers had them at great prices....go and try machines out....best wishes.

I have had several Babylock embroidery machines. I started with an Esante and upgraded to an Ellageo, then an Ellegante, then an Ellisimo Gold II and just recently a Destiny. As you can see, I am sold on Babylock.

Do you remember you are talking to sewing and quilting QUEENS. When it comes to sewing/embroidery machines we know more than a lot of dealers - lol. Personally I would make a list of the ones that I liked (or sounded the best for what I like or want to do), then I would list them from the one I think I want first even without trying it out to the one at the bottom of my list. Then I go out and start at the bottom first and work my way up. This way I can find the items I like most without getting stuff I don't want (I go knowing what I want or think I know what I want), this way it's easy to weed out things I don't like, want or will use. Good luck, remember take a block and a quilting sandwich to try on each machine.