. . . My budget has been increasing with every new suggestion
I'm now looking at the Babylock and the Juki. They are both at the show so I can have a go with both lots. Looking forward to it. (excited squee).
I am sure you will be delighted with either a Juki or a Babylock.
Will you be getting a model with the bigger motor rather than the smaller models?
It's really worthwhile getting one with the bigger, more powerful motor, especially for working with fabrics of different thickness and layers.
The motor has a tough job to provide needle punching power and also drive the cutting knife and the feed dogs at a high speed.