When I was 15 (1961) my father bought me a Montgomery Ward zig zag machine since I was making all my own clothes on my grandmother's old treadle. That machine lasted until 1980 when it literally blew up spewing sparks and smoke all over. I replaced it with a Viking which lasted 10 yrs. The computer board went right after the warranty. Being short on cash and long on wants I borrowed money from my m-in-l and bought a Pfaff 1475. It has been my work horse every since and I love it. I also have two featherweights, a 1940 Singer elec and two Wilcox and Gibbs chain stitch machines (one elec and one treadle) plus two sergers.