The Janome 9500 is the same machine as the Janome 9700 with these exceptions. The 9500 has a black and white touchscreen where the 9700 has a color touchscreen. The 9700 also has 5 additional designs not found on the 9500. The Janome Memory Craft 9500 is a very simple to use sewing and embroidery machine. It was designed so that a person can start using the machine immediately without having to go through hours of lessons just to learn how to select a design. The large computer screen has a simple push button selection system and uses easy to understand symbols. This allows even the beginning sewer to understand quickly how to select the different stitches on their machine. The large selection of utility stitches makes garment construction a breeze. The decorative and hierloom stitches allow you to add that personal touch to clothes to make them your own one of a kind creation. And then there is the embroidery side of the Janome 9500.... Want to put your families names on your Christmas stockings? Want to personalize baby gifts for your new niece or nephew? Think the embroidered designer blouses at the mall are way to expensive? (they are way to expensive!!) You can do all of this and more, and the great thing is, it's as simple as heating up water in the microwave!! Push one button on the computer screen and all of a sudden the embroidery arm moves out from the back of the machine. The Janome line of sewing and embroidery machines have the embroidery mechanism built-in. You have just turned your Janome MC9500 into a professional embroidery system. Select from three different styles of built-in letters and put a word of encouragement on a gift for a friend. Select one of the ninety built-in designs and make an everyday table cloth a work of art. Embroider towels and washcloths to decorate your house for every holiday! With the Janome MC9500 you are not limited to what you can do. The machine can sew a design as large as 5.5" by 7.9" allowing