I learned on an old long bobbin singer treadle that a great aunt gave me about, oh _____ years ago, (hahaha), but lost it in a divorce (don't ask). I recently got a Montgomery treadle free off craigslist and it is not all there, but the cabinet is beautiful with the treasure box top. I also just got another one free off craigslist which is a Singer and I am refinishing the cabinet as it is too rough to sew on yet, but the machine works beautifully. I have an embroidery machine and a Pfaff1222 which I love, but nothing and I mean nothing beats the quality of stitches of a treadle.