Thanks for the Bernina info, I got one and a tip!!
 

While I was pondering what I was going to do regarding the purchase of a new machine AND while waiting for old Faithful Elna to be repaired, I made some string squares. I pieced them together on my granddaughter's little Brother we got at a yard sale. (I did discover I don't care for that machine!)

So I picked up Elna and she sewed along just fine and dandy. AND I picked up a Bernina 350 that came with a lot of stuff plus a quilting foot and a walking foot.

Here's the tip - I practiced with the quilting foot on the string square patches and I practiced some of the fancy stitches, and put the squares together with a little more batting and a nice backing and I have a bunch of nice pot holders and I got to practice machine quilting without having to maneuver a big 'quilt sandwich'!! Sew easy!!

You all have probably done this before but I feel like I discovered gold! LOL!

You will love your 350. Mine sews like a dream! I use it for classes and when the big Bernina is getting serviced. My granddaughter loves sewing on it!

congrats on your new machine and thanks for the tip

My Bernie 350 is priceless to me! Love that you found one, too...