Originally Posted by
CRO
Thank you all for the imput. It gives me a lot to think about. The machine I have now was very cheap and does not sew well at all, even the straight stitch so the one I buy will be used for everything. Every dealer I went to had no used machines, but you gave me good ideas.
A used machine, from the 60s or 70s will be mechanical, but will have a few decorative stitches. My mother's old White machine has cams for a number of decorative stitches. My old Kenmore from the 70s doesn't have much in the way of decorative stitches, but it DOES have a blanket stitch. Both of those machines weigh a ton, but are still working perfectly. They sew through just about any fabric you can fit under the needle, and they will outlast me. The best part is because they are mechanical, I can service them myself.