I never thought of it that way; but then I am a pusher when it comes to the older machines--even though I own two brand new machines. I just prefer the older machines for the straight stitch work that they do without eating half of your strip when you are piecing for a scrappy quilt. The main thing you have to teach a beginner is to always make sure you end your seam with your "needle up" or you are going to have a crow's nest under your seam, and a mess trying to untangle and get the thread out of the bobbin, etc. Ughhhhhhh. Teaching new folks how to sew has shown me that that is the first thing you stress and stress and stress when you are working with them. That and closing your rotary cutter after you finish cutting each strip. And holding your left hand just right on your ruler as you cut. Can you tell I was recently teaching a beginning bunch of quilters......