The new machine arrived yesterday and I have been experimenting on it-but deep down my gut is telling me it's not a good purchase. I may end up sending it back(have 30 days to return). Perhaps I have gotten spoiled by using the Vikings??? I tried to do some free motion quilting with a practice sandwich and it makes a noise(thud) sporadically-almost as if the 3 layers are too much for it. I put the Scandinavia 200 next to it on the table and stitched identical pieces--not only is the viking better sounding, the stitches look smoother. And unbelievably, the new machine with 180+ stitches does not have just a basic plain satin stitch option!
So back to the hunt-and it will be a used machine since I feel more comfortable with the ones made in Sweden instead of Japan. Good life lesson!