Brother ST150HDH Heavy Duty Sewing Machine with 50 Built-in Stitches, LCD Display & 9 Presser Feet - Perfect for Quilting, Denim, Leather & Home Decor Projects

I don't know where to begin I love this machine so much. Forgive the tower of Pisa stitch, I was marvelling at it forgetting to look where it was going. This is the third sewing machine I have tried at home to upgrade from my 20 year old Kenmore. I was looking for a mechanical heavy duty (which the Kenmore is not). I had tried a Singer which failed the first day, not inspiring confidence, then a Bernette b05 made in China and honestly looking like it (although I have the Bernette Overlocker which is fantastic) then the Janome HD5000 which was ok but the stitch dial action was just too stiff for my arthritic hands and elbows and the dial is also on a horizontal line, it's not a loop, so you had to go through the ENTIRE row to get back to the beginning, got old real fast. Then came this Brother ST150HDH. Oh WOW!! My engineer husband who unpacks them for me said this one seemed much better quality than the others and I agree, the housing is gorgeous, much prettier than in the picture, like mutton fat. What amazes me is that is it computerized yet costs considerably less than the others PLUS it comes with a walking foot besides the other presser feet. The optional stitch panel is super clear. The computer only shows up as an LCD screen NOT a touch screen (which I dislike on sewing machines as I have brushed them by mistake erasing the whole set-up); the stitches are chosen by a super smooth dial below the screen which then sets the default length and width for that stitch, indicating the presser foot needed (and provided). The Stitch dial is on a circle inside so when you turn the dial to the left of the #1 stitch you get the last or #50 stitch, which makes is super quick and easy to 'navigate' to your desired stitch. You can elongate or widen each stitch using the buttons next to the settings. There is also a button under the twin needle button which activates the automatic reverse/reinforcement stitch and needle up position to end but ...it is simply turned on and off at the touch of that button, no complex dive into the bowels of a computer. Another huge bonus is how quiet this machine is, the quietest of all the machines I have ever used. Neither does the machine shake at all. solid as a rock. It went through 8 layers of (not heavy) canvas with a size 14 needle no problem. I am super impressed and might become a true Brother convert over this. I already have had the Brother1034D Serger for over 7 years now and it continues to be a humble and easy little workhorse. Slight cons: the LED light is fairly dim but I just add another one behind it (pictured) so not a problem. There is not thread cutter but not a big deal since even thread cutters leave a few mm of thread I have to cut manually anyway. I am going to get the optional extension table for it and the side cutter to supplement my serger because the overlock stitch is nice! I better stop now but I would say you've got to give this a try! It's the best of Mechanical and Computerized together leaving out the worst of both.... Update: I got the extension table for it; the Owner's Manual listed it as an accessory only available through a certified dealer, my local dealer had one in stock, the whole thing now measure about 23" long. It's fantastic. A year later: I love it even more, super easy to work with and yes ploughs through layers better than a Bernette38, Sears Kenmore or Singer!!