I have a Kenmore bought new in 80's. mechanical and all metal and I always sewed clothes and over pins, no problem. I know the newer computerized machines while they sew good and have lots of stitches are not as tough as the older ones, like Grama's 201-3. Look for a good mechanical, like 201 which sews leather and drapery material really easy, even if it only sews straight forward and backward, how it sews.