I grew up with a New Home which my mother bought new in the 1940's. It was electric, but we also had a New Home treadle in later years. Now I have a Pfaff 7570 w/embroidery, a Brother CS6000i, a older New Home, a 1954 Featherweight, and a Viking 1100 (which is on loan to a friend.) I have had nothing wrong with any of my 3 New Homes, and can definetly recommend the ones I had. I don't remember the number of the one I grew up with (after all I am now 78 years old - growing up was a long time ago.) But don't be afraid of them. -