I would definintely recommend getting the stitch regulator if you are not already used to doing free motion. If you don't get the stitch regulator and are not used to doing free motion quilting, you will have to be concentating not only on your quilting design but also your quilting speed. The stitch regulator sure made emy life much easier when I did free motion quilting on my Bernina--before I had my long arm. I still use my stitch regulator almost all of the time on my APQS as I do freehand quilting and now I only have to concentrate on my design and not also on my speed. But to everyone, it is a personal preference.