LilaKay

Find a Bernina dealer and look at the 580e. It embroiders but you can also buy an add on stitch regulator to do free motion quilting with. I have the Janome 6600 and I'm saving up to get the Bernina..

CharlotteO

I have a Bernina and I love it. I have been sewing for years, but have recently started quilting. My machine glides through piecing, embroiders like a champ, and I have done free motion quilting through 5 twin size quilts and 2 large tablecloths. I just started a queen size crazy patch for my daughter, finished piecing a full size log cabin for me, and am finishing piecing a charity quilt for Project Linus. This machine sews like a champ, and the embroidery is easy to do.

romanojg

I have the Ruby and it is a great machine. If you go to Viking website there is a place where you can put your zip code in and they'll tell you all of the dealers anywhere close to you. I agree that you have to have a great feeling about the place you buy your machine. I had pretty much always knew I wanted a Viking just the same way that I knew within minutes of walking into the LQS that is the Bernina dealer that I'd never buy a machine from them because of the staff, including the manager. I'll go there once in a while and I've taken a few classes there but to have to deal with my machine with them, I just don't think it would go well. I personally think that Vikings are really great. If you don't want a machine to do it all like the Ruby or Diamond then they also have the Mega Quilter, I have the 9X9 and I know there is a larger on too. It's great that you know that you need to test drive these machines before you bring them home for good.