I know what you ladies mean about learning on a vintage machine, I started her sewing on a vintage Singer I took over to her house a couple years ago. She has also sewn on my Pfaff and has used my serger when we were making duvet covers for her brothers last fall so she isn't a machine newbie, she's new to quilting and I want her to enjoy the process as much as possible; I think a machine with a few bells will make it more enjoyable for her. Another plus is it will be HER machine and her responsibility to care for it. I think I will take her with me to shop for one.