I hadn't done any sewing in decades and really wanted to rediscover it, so I spent a month researching different machines to purchase. The only Singer I had ever sewed on was my mother's and it was a model from the 60's (and it still works just fine). My biggest concern was all the new computerized models...it was very intimidating but I really wanted to be able to use all the features that these new machines had. I consider myself a beginner sewer...I did fine in home ec sewing, made a few quilt like blankets for gifts, sewed on some patches, did a few hems but that was about it. I went on to Craftsy where I have an unlimited membership (free one week trial for anyone interested) and they had a ton of classes on different sewing projects and many for beginners like me. It gave me a chance to see instructors using various models of machines. All had the high end models like baby lock, bernina and janome. I checked out all those models and what functions they had...all were very pricey. Since the only machine I had ever sewed on was a Singer and it was still kicking 40 years later, I decided to check out what Singer had to offer. This Quantum is no longer made by Singer but you can still buy it (if you hurry), they now make a Quantum 9985 which had a few more features but not worth the increased price IMHO. This is the only machine for the price that has all the high end features of machines like janome and bernina. My favorite is the automatic threader...my eyes are not as sharp as they use to be and even in my 20s, threading that needle was a pain in the butt. This machine makes threading the eye of that needle effortless. Changing the feet in most of the newer more upscale models is just a push of a button (or lever on some) and the Singer is no different. It took me a few minutes to get that hang of lining up the bar on the foot to get it to grab but it works really nicely and makes changing out feet a piece of cake. I loved the idea of the automatic thread cutter but have not been impressed with it at all. Once I push that button to cut the thread, I no longer can see the bobbin thread...it's down under the throat plate somewhere. My next group of stitches looks fine on the top but when I turn the project over, the first few stitches had a bit of a nest going on. Once I stopped using the button and cut the thread manually, everything was fine. I called Singer to ask if this was supposed to happen or if it is a defect but the rep I got admitted she didn't know much about that particular machine and would have to get back to me. It's not a big enough issue for me to return the machine but it is why I gave it four stars instead of five...I will update the stars and the review if it turns out to be a defect. Two LED lights instead of one! This make a huge difference and even the high end models don't have this. One light by the needle in the standard place like most but another under the throat area of the machine that really lights up your whole workspace and really improves your visualization of the area...two big thumbs up! The display panel can be adjusted brighter or less depending on your needs. All of your most common stitches are in a row to the left of the panel which I loved as the panel was my biggest fear and searching for a straight stitch on that bad boy a bit terrifying. I was pleasantly surprised...okay, no...I was shocked at how easy that panel was to use. First of all it automatically adjusts the tension for you which I like but you can change it if you want. All of the default settings are highlighted for each stitch so if you play around with it and forget what the default was, no problem just keep scrolling until it highlights in black. For the decorative stitches, you can make them larger or smaller...mirror them...make them continuous or pick a specific number of repeats before it stops. You can change your stitch length and even change the position of the needle to the right or left if your sewing a really small hem like a french seam (just learned this one so I'm bragging..). You can also change the tension here if your using speciality threads or techniques but since it's done automatically, no need otherwise. I also love that the display panel shows you what foot you should be using for that stitch and the letter associated with it. I played around with multiple stitches and they all worked effortlessly. I will say that I was not impressed with the lettering stitches. They were okay but if you want really nice lettering...this is not the best function on this machine. Another nice feature for us beginners was the foot pedal speed setting. You set to how fast you want the machine to sew, even if you push the foot pedal all the way down. I found the slowest setting to be too slow even for me, but the middle setting just perfect...no more run away stitching. The bobbin cover is see through...a nice feature to see if you are running out of bobbin thread, although I would have liked to see seam guides on this as well and there are none...just on the throat plate. There is a button to set if you want the machine to stop with the needle down which is very nice to have and saves you time from manually using the hand wheel. There is also a button for reversing the stitch to secure your seams...again saves time. If your presser foot is up, the light is red warning you not to sew (in fact I think you cant sew with the red light on). Other than all of these advanced features, the real bargain of this machine is the accessory package included. This come with 24 accessories, many of them pressor feet that would cost you about 300 bucks to purchase seperately, an extension table and my unit came with a "bonus" pack of even more pressor feet which thrilled me. I don't plan on traveling with my machine but wanted a cover so that I could leave it out on the sewing table, so I was surprised to see it come with a hard dust cover that has a side storage area for my manual and warranty information. Customer service is another reason to buy this machine, especially if your are new to sewing. Singer has a support system where you can call 8am to 8pm most days except Saturday till 2 pm and no Sunday support. They have a large selection of videos and one very complete video for this machine that walks you through everything it does. I highly recommend having your phone or laptop next to your machine and watching it and going along with the video, it helped me tremendously. I paid $340 for this machine and the accessories alone would have cost me more than that. This is a machine I will be using for a long time, so no need to upgrade when my sewing abilities improve, yet this is not so overwhelming to a beginner like I thought it would be. A good warranty although I will need to mail it so be sure to keep the box if there is no service centers nearby. I would grab this machine while it is still available as the newer model is nearly $200 more, last I looked. I think this machine is the bargain of the century! UPDATE: Turns out the thread cutter was defective, Singer wants me to send it back for service...shipping on my dime. I called Amazon and not only are they sending me a new machine, they are not waiting for me to return my other one, so I can continue working on my project without any delay. Amazon is awesome! And of course the shipping back to them is free. Updating to five stars! ANOTHER UPDATE: I have had the machine for months now, turns out the automatic thread cutter is just crap so I just don't use it. No big deal for me. The machine has performed well and has gone through multiple layers (uh...like 5...don't judge me), occassionally needing a bit of a push to get through. I have a Brother embroidery/sewing machine that I got used as a back up and the thread cutter works great, so this is a Singer screw up...I ended up returning THREE of these machines thinking the thread cutter was defective...no, just a crappy thread cutter...no
