My very first "high tech" sewing machine was a Nelco by Necchi. It did everything the Pfaff could do and was way less expensive. I loved that machine, if I could find another one like it I'd buy it.
I was living in a small town in the midwest and a dealer posted an ad for a Singer, they would bring their line of machines to your home, it was the old bait and switch but I was young and naive and didn't know any better. The Singer was trashed beyond works, but the Necchi was beautiful and colorful and near new condition and around $300 (in 1971 that was a lot!!). My payments were $30 a month and I used my waitress tips to pay for it. It was so heavy we had to pay $40 for a cabinet strong enough, and with a wide enough inset, to house it. Aw, memories!!!