Mine was over 7 years old and shot. I wanted a new one. For my B-day my Mother in law gave me a new one and it is the big one! Self healing. Love it! She and I are the only sewers in the bunch. She is giving me her Janome embroidery machine when she is done with it. Exciting, except it's in the will. I'd rather have her alive longer than Wanting the machine! LOL....