I started with the Babylock with a 4 inch hoop. But then the bug bit and I thought I wanted a machine that offered bigger hoops. If you don't think you'll want to do more than monogramming and quilt labels then the brother mentioned above is probably great. I am on my third embroidery machine and it is a baby lock Spirit. It only does embroidery and has an extra large hoop. I actually find I don't do as much with the bigger hoops now that I have a machine that has one.