I also remember the "nip and rip" method. Had almost forgotten about that machine. I remember when my Mom would take me shopping with her and she would go to the fabric department in Sears Roebuck. I remember saying "Mama, let's go". I wasn't at all interested in fabrics. How things have changed. Many years later I did the same thing with my girls and they too would become impatient waiting for me. Only one out of the three girls sews today.