I know the feeling, too! My son's friend came in about Xmas time last year (just after I got my new machine)- he had about 1/4 yard of some heavy leather, and asked me if I would make some strap that broke off the seat on his motorcycle!. I did some sewing of clothes when I was a teenager, but haven't touched a machine in about 35 years extept for piecing quilts! I gave it some thought, was afraid to ruin my machine-didn't know if I had the right needle-and heavy duty thread-anyway, I found some old stuff in my 35 year old sewing kit (that I really had to search for!) and said I couldn't guarantee anything, but I would give it a go. I made it using his broken one as a pattern, and luckily, didn't harm my machine! Do you think I would have gotten a thank-you??? I was away when he picked it up, and haven't heard from him since. My son says he is happy with it and has it on his motorcycle. Never again!!