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

Thanks everyone for your suggestions and support. Looking for a refurbished, gently used machine is a great idea. There are several different shops in our area to look. I shop around a lot before investing in something like this, so I'm sure we'll go from store to store and look more closely at what today's machines can do before I sink any money into one. I recovered from last night's meltdown and decided to continue with my VW quilt. But first, I reattached the walking foot (which saved my sanity more than once with the nightmare strippy quilt), and used the sticky pad lined up at the 1/4" point. That did the trick! I may have already said this, but that walking foot is one of the best investments I've ever made. Yes, sewing near the edge seems to be more of a problem. Thinking the cause may be the feed dogs, I switched to the walking foot to help control the fabric better. What a breeze that made sewing the remaining blocks. All 9 blocks are pieced (just 2 pieces each) and pressed. Now I'm beginning to apply the cars and wheels with the Steam-A-Seam 2 Lite (so far, I love it). So, I'm back in the saddle again, singing as I go..... Rollin', rollin', rollin' Though my eyes are swollen Keep them V-Dubs rollin' Rawhide! Cut 'em up, stick 'em on, iron on, sew it up, Keep a goin', don't give up Rawhiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiide! (I'm tired and it's way past my bedtime.....)

I just looked at their website and didn't see your model number listed, but it looks like the others that start with 17 are sewing only. If it says "64 stitches" they are refering to decorative stitches that are prorammed in the machine. If it didn't come with an embroidery module and hoops, then it's probably not an embroidery machine. Donna

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.