You may not need one-but like so may of us who wanted one-they are nice and make such beautiful stitch and are so easy to use, maintain and they travel very nicely--I'd say get one if you want one!! As someone else mentioned the 301( which is called the Featherweights big sister on steroids)-is also a very nice machine. I have 2 of each and love them all. I have taken one of the 301-A's to a daughter's home-but told her if she no longer wants it to let me know because I will take it back home with me. They are all really wonderful to sew on. When my girls as me why I have so many machines I just tell them their Daddy had more guns than I have sewing machines and I like them!! What ever you decide enjoy your machines and swing.