I have had my Bernina Activa 215 for 6 years and my 10 year old son even learned to sew on it. He had taken a couple classes on my old white sewing machine. He went with me to the classes to learn how to use it. This way if I forgot how to do something on the machine--he knew how it should be done. He is presently working on his 4th quilt and 2 years ago he was asked to be a presenter at the local quilt show as part as the young quilter as both presenter were 14 years old. Enjoy the Bernina. He recently showed his grandma the Bernina and she now wants a Bernina instead of a Viking.