I bought the Brother 270D and I love it. If you've never used an embroidery machine, then I don't think you will be limited by the hoop size because there is so much to explore and so much to learn. And it's fine for just regular sewing, too. I'm sure it's no match for the better machines in some way or other, but it's fine for a beginner. If you haven't bought or used a new electronic machine you are in for a pleasant surprise (at least I was). Auto threading amazes me and the stitches and designs are really cool. You can download free designs on the internet, but you will need to get a card reader and a card (about $50-75 on Ebay) to be able to use them in the 270D.

If you go to this site it has scrapbook product reviews on it. Go to Misc. and at the bottom of the screen is reviews about the Xyron machine. I belong to a mail list that has much about Xyron machines and they were saying that this spring they are coming out with small machines to do stickers and die cuts for scraping. This way you don't have the expense of the bigger machine and the waste if you only need a couple of things done. I think they said the machines would sell for under $50.00. I have seen them anywhere from 100 - 180 dollars. Hope this helps some of you out. Here is a link that might be useful: Scrapbook Product reviews

What weights of leather and vinyl are you planning to sew? My commercial walking foot is a Consew. Easy for me to maintain. I did pay to have it downgeared by 25% as I had no need for the max speed. I paid $500 about 15 years ago and it was 2-3 years old. I could sell it today for more than what I paid. Try to locate the person who could service the machine you buy. I was in the DC-NYC corridor area and was able to find a person who regularly made "house calls" to various businesses servicing thier sewing machines. My machine is a floor model and not what you would want to heft into a van for servicing. In my current area, I have been unable to locate anyone who provides in the home or business service. On the other hand, there may be a machine out there that is a portable model that you could clamp onto a base table. It would probably be Chinese made, for, despite what so many believe, really have been the leaders in compact sewing machines. When we lived in China, I wanted to bring one of their sergers home, as it was simplicity and efficiency superb, unlike any of my non-Chinese made sergers. Am not familiar with your mentioned brands. Please do look for a walking foot machine. I have a 1938 Singer 31-15 (non-walking foot), that is wonderful for standard leathers, but not polished or glazed. Vinyl is a challenge. Take pieces of your materials with you as you check out machines. Try to locate folks in your area who have the machines and get their feed back. Good luck.

personally, I would go for the Bernina, I am a sew professional and own 2 Bernina's; my workhorse and my serger are both Bernina's; have had them 20+ yrs with little to no servicing and use them day in and day out........great machines!!!! Now; a great tip about threading your serger! Follow the guidelines.........when you want to change your thread, you don't have to re-thread the whole thing!!! Cut the thread at the spool, leaving enough to work with.....like 8". mount new spools, tie ends of old thread to new thread, make sure the threads are in the spool holder guides right. Undo the tensions...all of them.....now pull thru the new thread. you will probably have to cut and thread the needle thread. Remember to re-do your tension!!! if you need me to verbally go thru this or anything else, you can reach me at joanbauer@verizon.net. hope this helps! Joan