I used to have a Brother machine until my sweet young daughter told me she wanted it for college. I then bought a Singer 3 years ago from Sears and it was a piece of junk. I had pieces flying out of it and Sears would not let me return it. so off to the scrapyard it went. Ended up with a Kenmore ( all metal from the 60's) finding one at a flea market for $3. It sews through anything!