So just an update: the very cheap Singer that was my Mom's is going to my sister for the automatic buttonhole (her very expensive late 70's Bernina doesn't have one and this does work on it). The Singer H74(which is a lightweight electronic one)was picked up today from a local Singer repairman (I live in the country and he doesn't work out of a large store). Said he'd call me with a diagnosis tonight and likely be able to get it back to me as early as tomorrow (and I've been told he's very reasonable!). So keep your fingers crossed that this baby is ready to travel to a class this next Sat. Last Sat. I broke down and took my fancy Elna--even though it was in a wheeled travel case, the snow and crack in the sidewalk bumped the case over and when I unpacked at home, the thread spool "pole" (plastic) had broke off! Luckily there are 2 and the Elna will go to the store I bought it at for it's annual cleaning/check up while I get a trip to Phoenix in early March.
