I surely would NEVER want to give up my variable zig-zag stitch on my machine. Sometimes using a very narrow zig-zag stitch is great for applique - it gives it a more primitive look.

The triple stitch is great for that hand embroidered look without all the work. I love it since I don't do hand work anymore due to arthritis and such.

I use the decorative stitches on my machine when doing applique (blanket stitch, zig-zag, satin etc.) and the fancier flower, leaf, star, bells etc. stitches when decorating wedding memories, wall hangings and have used the clasp stitch (*) instead of straight quilting in areas.

I find I am using these stitches more often than I used to.

It's beautiful.

I use a straight stitch Juki TL98QE and have no need or desire to use decorative stitches on my quilts. It has a larger throat and I can quilt a queen/king. It works for me.

If I bought another one today, the Juki is exactly what I would buy. But I do quilting - and it has everything I need. I wasted money buying a top of line machine, and never ever use all that it came with, including the very expensive software that I purchased to go with it :(

Wish I would've saved my money now...but I didn't realize it when I bought it. I sure would today! You're being very wise.

I agree that decorative stitches add a lot to quilting the tops. A border that looks too wide can have a better look when a decorative stitch is added, usually closer to the interior (than the binding) of the quilt top.

You can highlight certain blocks (think about alternate blocks) or the center (or alternate borders) of medallion style quilts.

I agree that stitching out the decorative stitches on to reference strips or pages does increase your creativity and frequency in using them.

Having a few (or many!) decorative threads in multiple weights opens Pandora's Box to the decorative stitch library you may have. Don't forget that many utility stitches lend themselves well to decorative uses also.

The serpentine stitch (a regular wavy line) is a favorite for allover striped, diagonal or grid quilting - it adds attractive texture as well as locking the fabrics together.

Decorative threads have become another 'stash' to use with the 'stash' of decorative stitches,lol.

So - it sounds like it simply depends upon the type of quilting and/or sewing you do. I guess that's the real key, and we all have to decide for ourselves.

Good luck!

I use my decorative machine stitches on table runners,
clothing and wall hangings. Haven't put them on quilts
yet but am planning to do it on the borders of my next
few quilts.

I love using my deco stitches on my quilts especially crazy quilts. But I also have another machine that only does straight stitching with a larger throat. If I had to choose one machine I would choose the one with deco stitches. Give me more options to do more things like other crafts like pillow cases. Hope it helps

I've had my Baby Lock for about 20 years and have only used the embroidery stitches a handful of times. Then again I mostly use it for quilting. I don't sew clothing nor for children. Next machine, I wouldn't mind getting a very good basic machine with no embroidery stitches.