In the long run, it will cost you less, not to mention you can expand your horizons with other designs and fonts. If you machine came with an embroidery unit and hoop, then you can do machine embroidery so you might have to spend some quality time with that machine feature. What model Bernina do you have? People with your model machine can help you with the type of software you will need (might save you money there as the software is expensive and can't be returned once opened should you get the wrong software) or may have some tips and tricks to help with your projects. The other things not mentioned are embroidery needles and different sized hoops. The needles aren't too bad, the hoops can get expensive. At sewingworld.com, there is a whole section for machine embroidery and also a tab for Bernina in the machines section that might answer many of your questions...just be sure to give them your Bernina model number so you will get exact answers instead of helpful general comments.

Oh Rosa, You know how I feel about your beautiful embroidery work. You sure have some neat ideas. I think binding would look nice on your pillow. (I think getting an embroidery machine is only a couple months away now. @:) I've been saving info like crazy.) Sharon

Thanks Teresa. I've doing Sail Away, and I added the island, boat, and sun last night. I ended up hand embroidering the rays, since I didn't like the way it came out by machine. I removed the tear away stabilizer, but ripped out a few of the wave stitches while doing it! I found a border fabric and possibly binding (or will do pillow case method). It's looking good. Thanks for teaching! --Amy

Check out this link. After the tutorial on a block of the month the teacher shows how to make a pilowcase without raw seams showing. Either replace the small brown strip with piping or add piping on top of the brown strip for additional accent. I was doodling around with YouTube one day and typed QUILT in the search field. A whole bunch of quilting videos popped up. This was one of them that I found very helpful. Dianne Here is a link that might be useful: How to make a pillowcase