Le nouveau Brother est arrivé!

What was the last time you felt so excited you just wanted to scream, run around the house and kiss anyone withing a proximity of 10 meters? I just could not contain myself when 2 days ago this box arrived for me...

You might wondering what was in the box that got me so excited... Well, it's my brand new Brother 1500D sewing/ embroidery machine!!!!! Finally it arrived and gosh, did I have to wait for it! The sewing machine I owned was my very first sewing machine (Singer) which was basically falling apart. When I first started sewing my husband treated me to a sewing machine.But what do you buy... For someone without much experience it's hard to choose between all the different brands and models. And the Indian salesman didn't help much either. I mean the poor bloke didn't even know the difference between an overlock and a sewing machine! 
As a first sewing machine the singer did the job... it sewed! But that was about it. Nothing else. Nada.
So after a few quite productive years of sewing I was yearning for a "real" sewing machine. First I did my research. Which brand is good, what do I want from it, what functions do I like... the list is endless. I finally found what I was looking for... The Brother 1500D was what I wanted!

Basic Features
LCD Size (Horizontal x Vertical) inches    3.5 x 4.6
Display (Number of Colors)    Monochrome
Stitch Select    Touch panel
Screensaver    No
Opening Screen    Yes
On-Screen Help    Yes
Built-in Languages    Yes
On-Screen Editing    Yes
Realistic Preview    No
Lighting    5 LEDs
Number of Needles    1
Needle Threading System    Advanced
Thread Tension    Automatic
Easy Bobbin Winding    Yes
Adjustable Bobbin Winding Speed    Yes
Thread Sensor    Upper and Bobbin
Thread Sensor On/Off    No
Automatic Thread Cutter    Yes
Quick Set™ Bobbin    Yes
Full USB    No
Computer Connectivity with Update Capability    Yes
Mouse Capability by USB    No
Media Type    Embroidery Card

Sewing Features
Bed Area (depth x width) inches    6.8 x 11.4
Work Space (height & width) inches    4.5 x 8.2
Maximum Sewing Speed (stitches per minute)    1,000
Knee Lifter    Yes
Feed Dog    7
Back to Beginning Key    No
Standard Presser Feet Included with Machine    11
Built-in Sewing Stitches (Includes Buttonhole Styles)    283
Buttonhole Styles    12 One-step
Built-in Sewing Lettering Fonts    3
Stitch Width    7mm
Stitch Length    5mm
My Custom Stitch™ Feature    Yes
Side Feeding    Yes
Start/Stop Button    Yes
Speed Controller    Yes
Twin Needle Setting Key    Yes
Needle Position Key (Up/Down)    Yes
Automatic Height Adjuster™ AHA® Feature    No
Presser Foot Pressure Adjustment    Yes
Presser Foot Leveling    Yes
Automatic Presser Foot Lifter    Yes
Pivot Function    No
Drop Feed/Free Motion    Yes
Free Motion Quilting Foot    Yes
Built-in Quilting Stitches    No
Included Quilting Feet    No
Free Arm    Yes
Table    Yes
Specialty Feet Included    Yes (Additional specialty feet may be available. See Optional Accessories)

Embroidery Features
Maximum Embroidery Area (X x Y)    6.25 x 10.25
Maximum Embroidery Speed (stitches per minute)    800
Built-in Embroidery Designs (non-license)    72
Built-in Embroidery Designs featuring Disney/Pixar® Characters    91
Built-in Frame Designs    10 Shapes x 12 Stitch Patterns
Trial Position/Layout Function    Yes
Pattern Rotating    1, 10, or 90 Degrees
Compatible with Brother Embroidery Software    Yes
Software Upgrades    Yes
iBroidery®.com - Ready    Yes. See www.iBroidery.com for compatible designs

Carton Contents
Accessory Storage    Yes
Carrying Case    Hard cover
Included Accessory Feet    Walking foot, Side cutter foot, Quilting foot, Buttonhole foot, Blind Stitch foot, Button fitting foot, Monogramming foot, Embroidery foot, Zipper foot, Overcasting foot
Table    Yes
Other Included Accessories    Knee lifter, embroidery unit, accessory kit with needle set, twin needle, needle plate, extra spool pin, spool caps (3), spool net, bobbins (4), embroidery bobbin thread, screwdrivers (3), touch pen, bobbin case, eyelet punch, scissors, chalk pen, USB cable, power cord, Operation Manual
Included Embroidery Hoops    2 (10.25" x 6.25", 5" x 7") Additional hoops may be available, see Optional Accessories.
Foot Controller    Yes

Other
Warranty    25 year limited warranty
UPC Code    012502613701
Machine Dimensions (H x W x D)    20.8" x 12" x 10.8"
Machine Weight    24.7 lbs
UL/CSA Listed    Yes, 110v
Compatible Media (requires separate purchase)    Direct link to IBM compatible computer
This machine really ticked all the boxes. Except from one... price! Even though the price-quality was quite reasonable, I just couldn't justify spending more than 2000 euros on a sewing machine... 
So I started looking on eBay. And I looked and looked and looked... It took me about 8 months to find the perfect secondhand machine!


And here she is...

Cool he! I've been very busy reading the operation manual inside out and I'm very excited about all the features of the machine. In particular the embroidery part is very intriguing as I'm new to it.I think I will take some classes though to get me started.
My first sewing project was meant to be a shirt for my husband but due to a last minute request of my friend it will be a dress for her little girl.