I have an old machine I rigged up with a knob so my DGKs can 'sew' on card stock. All they do is paper but they love it. It gives them a chance to 'sew' and me not worry about thread getting tangled up. And it gives a little life to an old machine. I posted pics of what I did with a messed up old Singer 66:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...x-t227428.html With no bobbin and in bad shape you might give it some thought.