I learned to sew in high school Home Ec. My mother had a Singer Treadle and I used that at home. I don't remember that the school machines had a zigzag feature. If they did I did not use it. As an adult, my first machine was a Morse. I sewed for myself, my children and my neighbors on that. I have replaced my machines to upgrade features as often as I could afford. Bought my first Bernina in 1987 and still have it but recently replaced my Bernina 180E with a Baby Lock. Bernina is out of my price range and the Baby Lock has features I need, especially the 11.7 inch throat.
I stared quilting about the time I retired almost 20 years ago. Most of my quilts were given as gifts but I slept cozy last night under one of the first I ever made. I hand quilted until my arthritis no longer allowed me to. I machine quilt now. I did not conquer my machines. For me the biggest problem with sewing machines is dull or damaged needles.