I love my Pfaff machine. I have a 7550 and a 2144. The duel feed is wonderful. I have had no problems with either machine. Just keep up regular maintainence with a dealer and Pfaff will be a work horse for you. Your granddaughter will have the machine figured out in no time. Kids are not afraid to try new things out. It is good that you are getting her a machine that will work well for her. I have seen new sewers become discouraged when their machines don't work well. They get frustrated and give up way too soon and miss out on a lot of fun sewing.