I love 301's and certainly prefer them to Featherweights, ie., easier to thread due to slant needle. They are awesome machines, best I've ever used for freemotion! I have several expensive computerized marvels too, but keep going to my 301's. As a Quilter it's pretty much all you ever really need. Large harp space, drop feed dogs, free motion feet are inexpensive, best machine to carry to classes (don't need to worry about joustling your mother board), and you'll probably just be straight stitching anway. Just observe the other gals in class having "issues" with their machines while you're just sewing away! No learning curve, so simple and hassle free. Maintainence is pretty much: change needle, clean out fuzzies and oil.....this, you can do yourself.