Power outages happen.....I have a treadle for that reason. And I have oil lamps and battery operated lamps too. Heaven forbid that I can't sew because of lack of power. Also, on a nice day, you could take a handcrank out and set it on a picnic table and sew outside if you wished. I sew on the deck of our trailer sometimes, with my featherweight. It's kinda nice when the weather is good and the birds are flitting about......