My husband is from North Africa, and men sew, as tailors and home decorators. Folks who have laptops, iPhones, and fancy appliances still use treadles. Singer, Pfaff, and Juki are the respected brands there. Next time I go, I plan to take a modern Pfaff that can be converted to a treadle. I'm asking my hubby to make the electrical in the house we are building safe for my modern machines.