My mom had a Singer treadle and that's what I learned to sew on, including running the needle through the edge of one of my fingers, ha! I bought a black Singer portable as a young bride, and in later years drooled at the new Singers that were far too expensive for our budget. I now have a Babylock Ellegante, a Pfaff Expression 4.0, a "plastic" Singer portable and just acquired a Singer 401A in a cabinet. I, too, love sewing machines! Wish I had more room!