Mia -- your post was most informative and I appreciate that. I am also in the market for a new machine. I currently have a Babylock "Maria" which I absolutely love, but it is a straight mechanical machine with no bells and whistles and only 10 decorative stitches. I bought it about a year ago when I decided to learn to sew and only spent $250. I was looking at more sophisticated models, but at the time didn't want to invest that much money until I was sure I was going to like sewing. Well, needless to say here we are a year later and I am an official quilt-aholic. What model Babylock do you have? It sounds like the one I've been looking at. Again, I appreciated your very informative post.

Teresa