I have both (well, I have the Handiquilter Sweet 16) and the Crescendo. They are two totally different machines. You cannot do regular sewing with the Tiara. It is a sit-down quilting machine only. Now the Crescendo has a nice-sized throat and great lighting. Also the laser (drooling here) plus all of the other features...... If you can only afford one and you don't have another machine, then I'd say go for the Crescendo. If you have a machine and you want to branch out into quilting, then the decision is up to you: a better sewing machine that supports quilting, or a quilting machine.