Meganne, I'm still considering buying a Diamond, but my Designer1 is still serving me faithfully after more than 10 yrs and hearing your Diamond is acting up I think I'll stick to my oldie - and 10 yrs IS old for those electronically controlled things - unlike our truly tested Elna Supermatics!!

Martine, I could never recommend the Designer Diamond to you, it is a lovely 'SEWING' machine but the Elna Xquisite leaves it for dead as an Embroidery machine.
I originally stitched Miss Loretta's quilt label on the Diamond and was so disgusted with it that I stitched it out on the Elna, it turned out so much better.

I can honestly say (in my opinion) I have not been happy with any embroidery I have done on the Diamond and use it now for the 'less important' projects or for sewing and all the important, special embroidery, I do on my XQ.

Of course this is only my opinion as other people are thrilled with everything their Diamonds do and to them, the embroidery is probably perfect. I think it's all in the eye of the beholder. :-)))
It's such a shame the XQ has had other problems, lack of support, spare parts and service being the biggest problem.
My screen keeps going out of alignment now and I dread trying to get it fixed. Aaaaargh!!!
Hugs and roses, Meganne