I bought my Bernina over 10 years ago for $1000. it was half price because Bernina was coming out with a new line and the shop owner wanted to make room in her shop for the new line. I have seen Bernina half price when they just want to get rid of older models. Call around. I drove an extra hour but saved half of the price and my machine is still wonderful. They also sometimes have machines that others have traded in. I don't reccomend buying a used machine from ebay. You can get something good from a reputable dealer for 1000.

I totally agree with msmarion! Find a sewing machine dealer near you and let them show you what they have - including used machines that they have refurbished. Also look on Craig's list for an older Singer machine that you can get tuned up. If you only want to do a little embroidery from time to time, it will not be worth the extra $$$$ you will have to spend on a decent embroidery machine. Just my opinion.

A piping or cording foot has a channel down the length of it that actually fits over the cording and fabric, as opposed to a zipper foot which just rides up against it so the needle can get close. I use the cording foot to make single and double cording and also to sew the cording into the cushions (since you're sewing blind, in that situation). It's nice to have, but not necessary. You can buy them in low shank, high shank, or slant shank versions, so unless your current machine has a very unusual foot, you should be able to order one. If I remember correctly, a lot of old Kenmores are slant shank, but check your machine or look it up to be sure. I use a 1/4" cording foot for 5/32" plastic or tissue welt cording (which is the standard cording size on pillows and upholstery); if your fabric is very thin or very thick, you might need a different size cording foot.

Wish I lived next door to Raven! I got a new machine about 15+ years ago. I have to get the book out almost every time I do something other than a straight stitch. Back in the day I sewed every stitch of clothing we wore but now wearing jeans and shirts all the time, there's no need to sew clothes so I quilt for the church. I've quit watching the sewing shows on PBS because those fancy machines have nothing in common with mine. I still regret giving my 1965 New Home away when I got the new one. Should never have done that. I've collected 3 machines for the church; nothing real fancy but they work. Forward, backward, zig zag. We hand tie so we don't need a quilting machine.