Back in 2000 I was going to be laid up from foot surgery for 12 weeks so happened to stop by JoAnne's and saw the Viking embroidery machines. Decided something like that would be nice to spend my idle time with so got the 1+. Within a week I decided I liked it but wanted a larger hoop so traded this machine in for the Designer 1. Then got started with some classes given at JoAnne's and met up with some really nice ladies. We became friends and later they got me started on quilting. Its only escalated since then. I now have another embroidery machine, 2 sergers and a quilt machine. I use the Designer 1 for regular sewing, the Babylock for embroidery, sergers for clothing items and of course the quilt machine for quilting. I have my entire basement for my sewing studio and I'm down here most everyday if the gardens aren't calling my name. Am I saving money, heck no but I'm off the streets and out of trouble..........lol.