When I bought my Singer 9005 (1990 with 5 stitches plus buttomholer), I was angry at my former machine and bought something very simple but not cheap -- now I wish I had bought one with more stitches as I would like to have a blanket stitch and a few fancy stitches -- my machine isn't tempermental and works great except on thick things -- I would check out top-of-the-line used mechanical machines from a sewing machine store (Kenmores and Singers as well as others) -- the emachines sound interesting but some seem to have problems -- good luck!!