This question really got me to thinking. I learned to sew in home ec in school. Never really sewed after that. But my mother bought me a Kenmore machine in a cabinet when I was first married. I replaced that some years later with a portable 'something' paid about $100 that I used for about 20 years 'til it died. I didn't start quilting until my second was born in 1987 and went into high gear about eight years ago when I bought my Janome 6600 that I absolutely love!