Writergrrl,
Well, short answer = no.
Here's why I say that. From the time I married my wife 30 years ago, she's a lifelong sewest, she said she wanted a Feather Weight. So for her birthday a year and a half ago I bought her one. To this day she has not used it once.
I cleaned it, removed the thread jam from the bobbin, lubed it, put a new belt on it, and test sewed with it. Then later I made a Whacky Bag with it. It's a very good machine.
My wife wanted one, but now that she's got it, she never uses it.
So, if you want one, get one. Do you need it ..... no.
Joe