My new toy

OK so it isn't really new. I got it Mothers Day weekend, but I have finally successfully used it. It is my sewing machine. After Cinderellas Easter dress, I decided to do something that I have wanted to do ever since I first tried sewing on the machine I had. Get rid of it, and get a better one.
After some research, I decided on a Baby Lock. My mom has a Baby Lock, and I have enjoyed using hers. The only catch was that I didn't want to spend that much on a machine. I called our local retailer, and was told that they don't sell the machine I was thinking of in their store, because it is the one they sell to schools. But she recommended that I come in and take a look at the machine that most people are interested in. The Crafters Choice. So after some more research, I decided it was worth paying more to get more features, because personally I don't want to get another sewing machine for at least the next 10-15 years. So I wanted something that would last and I could grow with.
Well we went to the store, I had to wait until a Saturday, because I wanted to try out the machine before buying it, and I wasn't going to try sewing in a sewing machine store with my two kids there, and no husband. Anyway, we got to the store on a Saturday afternoon. As soon as I walked in the owner of the store asked me what I wanted. I told him I wanted to take a look at the Crafter's Choice. He told me he couldn't. They had just sold the last one.
He then showed me the store model of the next machine up. The Decorators Choice. . This machine had more decorative stitches than I thought I would ever use. Plus a lot of silly functions for some one who is just going to make children's clothes. At least that was my first impression. And then I saw the price. $799.99 This was half the suggested retail price, but still $200 more than the Crafter's Choice, and $300 more than the machine that I thought I really wanted, which he claimed he wouldn't sale me, because it is the machine they only sale to schools. Well I was pretty frustrated. And he must have seen my frustration, because he told me this was the last one of this machine that he had in stock and he would sell me that machine, the floor model, for $650. I'm still thinking there is no way that my husband will go for that, when he pipes up that, he thinks that is a great deal, and I should look at it and see if if it would work for me.
So I tried it out. Wow, that is a really nice machine. So I gave them my old machine, and bought their floor model. I have been dying to try it out ever since.
I bought some fabric to make a skirt and top for me, and a dress for Cinderella. I have been trying to make my skirt, and finally got it mostly done, and decided to turn my efforts to Cinderella's dress.
Yesterday morning at 8, I started cutting out her dress, and then with a few long breaks in between, finished it by 11:30 last night. Which for me, having very little practice of late, is really good. Even for a child's size dress. And I'm sure a big part of it is in thanks to my new machine.
So yes even $650 is a lot to pay for a sewing machine, but if you like it, I guess it is worth it.