My mom had a Singer slant o' matic that was suppose to be a good machine, but I fought with that thing, always. She upgraded to a Singer Diana, same thing. There was always something that made me have to stop and readjust or rethread. I bought my Bernina 930 27 years ago, and have never looked back at another Brand. My daughters sewed on the 930 for 4-H and did not have the trauma and drama that I went through sewing on my mom's Singer. You want a stress free machine; save up your money and hunt for a used Bernina. (Not a Bernette)