My DH bought me a used machine the first year we were married (I was 18) -- I'd been hand piecing & hand quilting prior to that. When my mother passed away (I was 23 years old), I bought her machine from my father, and used it till it couldn't be fixed....and cried when I heard the news. I didn't get a nice machine until I was about 42 years old....my Husqvarna, which my DH insisted I purchase when he saw my reaction to the loss of my mothers machine. I got my Bernina when the kids were grown & DH wanted shop equipment. He got his shop equipment, I got my top of the line Bernina...that was when I was about 47. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING would stop me from quilting -- even if I went back to hand piecing and hand quilting. Most of the quilts I make are simple stitching, simple patterns, and each are loved by those I've given them to....THAT is the most important part to me. A quilter is not defined by the fancy tools we use, but by the effort, attention to detail and love we put into each project....just like our quilting sisters of many, many years ago.