Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I recently purchased this from Amazon.com as they had the best price on it. I bought it specifically for my 11 year old daughter, who wanted to start sewing doll clothes. I am all for her sewing, and am excited to teach her how (I teach sewing and have since 2002), but I wasn't excited about the thought of her monopolizing my Bernina 930. I decided on this Brother not only because the price was right, but I have had experience with just about every machine created (yes-hand cranks to the extreme high-end embroideries and everything in between) that a student can bring into class, and have found any Brother model I have dealt with to be reliable, easy to use, and simple. It is basic but has enough added features to experiment and be creative. Nice buttonhole, too! It is very light weight, but does not have a handle, so think about that upon purchase-if you are going to take it to classes, get a case for it (hard or soft will do). It is the perfect machine for the beginner, off-to-college person, or just for the basic stuff. I wouldn't tackle something like making slip covers out of heavy interior dec. fabric with it, but for PJ bottoms out of flannel...perfect. ***UPDATE: well, shame on me-I would sew anything on this machine and did this past summer, when I sewed one million (no, just kidding, but seemed like it, excuse the pun) cleaned out juice bag mylar bags together. It was a volunteer gig for my local elementary school for the science department. Initially, we were going to make a sun shade for when the kids went outside in the science garden, but sewing a 12'x16' thing just got out of hand, so we decided on sitting "blankets" for little ones to sit on in the shade of a tree to discuss science. I popped a leather needle in, 100% nylon thread on all the bobbins, and jammed it all out on THIS machine. THIS machine cranked on those juice bags without a hiccup! Daughter isn't sewing soo much, and this machine will stick around anyway as my total-total back up machine. During Nutcracker season, I keep it at the theater to sew anything from satin ribbon on toe shoes to delicate chiffon for some of the costumes. You can't go wrong with this machine.