Thanks Janice! I guess if it doesn't have the "slider" it's an early model. I'll have to think about it... the machine is so pretty, and the decals are in such nice shape, that I'm really torn about it...
Although I remember when I learned to sew (back when dinosaurs roamed the earth), we always had to start a half-inch from the end of the seam, sew to the end, then turn the fabric around and continue to sew the seam... that's what I do on my hand-crank model now....this is not helping me with the temptation of buying that 99!