It's personal preference although if the item is visible top and underneath, you can use the same thread top and bottom. Be patient with yourself and your machine. Machine embroidery is a learning process gained through experience and study. Keep asking questions about items your manual does not cover (read it several times, the first time it reads like mud). There are several yahoo groups dedicated to your machine that have a wealth of knowledge to learn from.

Hi Carol - I've had the husqvarna viking Topaz 20 for about a year and a half. Once I got it working (required a bit of back and forth with a resolution of swap out for a different new machine and the process was a head ache, however that might happen with any piece of computerized equipment)I really enjoyed it. I have the 4D software which was offered half off with purchase and machine was on sale. Do get enough software that you can resize images, change colors of threads, edit images to delete parts (so if you have an image with some line "Grandma knows best" "Happy Valentine's Day" whatever you can delete the line and go for the image). Don't compare costs without including what you need for software. I looked at the Berninas and decided I could get more machine for the money with Husqvarna AND their comparable machine had you plugged into the laptop/computer the entire time the embroidery was stitching out (big designs can take 6 hours and you can't turn off most machines during this process - even the Diamond - as they won't precisely line up when you turn them back on). I didn't want something that expensive highly integrated to a laptop as we all know you have to replace laptops every so many years as operating systems eventually don't support the old one. The Hus has something like a thumb drive to load designs to the machine. If your local group is Bernina you might get more hands on training there which in the beginning is a boon. I know there are some sewing shops other than a JoAnns that sell Hus and wish I'd used one. The one within JoAnns is limited to one staff on duty at a time and they need to sell, not teach. I'd been led to believe up front I'd get much better hands on training than I did. They'll try their best to punt you to buying their instructional DVDs. I'm currently on a mailing list of someone locally to PAY to learn more about the 4D software (which I could do by trudging through its manual but I work full time and that just isn't fun). I've posted a few pictures of things I've done on Facebook's Machine Embroidery Group. Haven't yet found a really active group - but there's a bit more action there than other places. They're discussion tab has a "Let's Share" on machines. Here is a link that might be useful: Pictures of Embroidery Projects on FB

Although the bobbin thread is a bit expensive, you get a whole lot of bobbin mileage out of that spool. You will also need a few different colors of machine embroidery thread for practice and to practice changing colors. The fabric stores are always having sales and you can use their 40 percent coupon off for that. Walmart does have some really good deals on stabilizers, another necessity you will need several types of to use according to the fabric you are using. I would start out with tearaway as it's about the easiest to use. For practice and learning the machine, a yard of muslin will fit the bill or other fabric you might have in your stash you don't particularly like or regret buying. The other item is a good supply of machine embroidery needles in various sizes. I suggest you thoroughly read the manual a few times..the first time, it's like reading mud and gets better the more you read. Then when you have done that, practice the directions page by painful page until you have everything down pat. Then you can fearlessly start embroidering with confidence because you know what you are doing by then.

Mary, I have the brother SE270D. I bought it at Wal Mart for about the price you want to pay. Let me say I really am a hand embroider but for the things I've used it for it has worked fine. It is a promotion for Disney and most of the built in stitches are Disney. I ordered a Ped basic to go on my computer to down load patterns. There are free patterns and many sites that sell designs. I payed less than $150 for my Ped Basic. All that said, it only can sew up to a 4 inch design. And my friend says a really important consideration is the cost of thread. To have only a small number of colors is expensive. I pay $4 to $5 a spool. I use rayon thread because it works well for me and gives the design a nice look. I'm not sure what you are thinking of doing but just in general, I am pleased with my machine. It also has some stitches for quilting which I want to try out soon. Also there is a forum on here especially for embroidery and someone there may be able to give you more information. Good luck in finding what you want. Sally