I got this machine for myself  in 2006. It was the least expensive embroidery machine with the best features that I could find. While I had some issues at first ( my first machine the needle threader broke but Brother promptly replaced the machine) once I became comfortable with it, I have been having alot of fun! — The most important thing to know...get the PES design basic card and reader! It is about $100 but SOOO worth it! With it you can download thousands of designs for free off the web and you can buy some too. Much less expensive than getting design cards which have… read full review »