I have a hand crank German machine that works. You have to sew carefully and make sure that the left hand knows what the right hand is doing and vice versa. The right hand can't go to fast. Start slow, practice and then build up your speed. It takes a while to get the hang of it but it's fun for a change. Mine is small and very portable so I can take it anywhere. I could, if I wanted, even take it tent camping---wait, don't have to anymore our new tent has electrical hook ups.