Mom did not want to part with the machine I learned on, so she gave me my own in 1968 for high school graduation. A Singer golden touch and sew, I hated it, nothing but trouble, even had a dealer tell me I had a lemon Finally after 4 years of fighting the tension, I paid $1500 for a top of the line Bernini. Loved it, Sewed everything from leather, to silk. Repaired blue jeans, made cloths, curtains, doll cloths, toys and quilts. than in 2000 the motor burned up, and they were no longer making the size of motor I needed. That's when I got my Janome. Another work horse, So my track record says my machines last about 15 years