Chris, you know that saying about "They don't make 'em like they used to"? I think it more than applies to sewing machines. Those older, all-metal beauties work like champions...it's probably even silly (or lazy!) of me to want something new. I'm so intrigued by all the embroidery stitches the new machines have. My little Singer, "Betsy" is 68 years old but we all know women who love the Featherweights, etc. that're even older and still going strong. Perhaps I should save a few hundred dollars and take a class in hand embroidery???! :P