My Great Aunt lived in the mountains and used a treadle occasionally, but preferred to hand piece her many quilts. Mom made many of the clothes for the 1st 3 girls in our family (I'm #2) on a Montgomery Wards machine. Dad worked 2 - 3 jobs including at MW, so likely it was a returned or discounted machine. In Jr High I was forced to take Home Ec- as 1 of 6 children with 2 working parents I certainly did Not need to learn homemaking! The Singer machines were "so modern" compared to what I was used to! Mom's 70's Kenmore with the fancy cams is at the family cabiin for when we have withdrawal symptoms on vacation. I started out with my wedding gift from Mom and Dad- a '76 Kenmore, which I still use. I branched out into "hoarding" treadles a few years ago when I rescued my first one at a garage sale for $10. There's something about a nice wood cabinet and pretty decals that makes my heart go pitter pat. I have a lightweight Brother for carrying to Guild sewing. Plastic machines just leave me cold, regardless of the number of stitches they can do. I do appreciate the pretty '57 Chevy styling of some vintage machines after hanging around the Board, but am determined not to add another category to my herd!