I have had this machine now only a month and a half, but I have put it through its paces. The needle threader is a dream! Best needle threader ever and I have a couple of machines of other brands with threaders. The machine is responsive, smooth, VERY quiet and does both sewing and embroidery well. Sewing on it is a charm! Really - the stitches are as good as any brand of machine, and I haven't needed to touch the tension setting for any of the projects I have done. It does free motion really nicely too and I didn't have to change the tensions for that either. I have used several different threads top and bottom on it and all does well. The light is rather dim, but I put LEDs in the harp, so it doesn't matter. I am a novice embroiderer and that is why I bought this machine - for the fun of a little embroidery, but now I love to sew on it! I wouldn't think this is a choice for a large free motioned quilt, since the harp is rather small, but for overall sewing and 4x4 embroidery you cannot go wrong with this machine.