yay Olivia! I was thinking of machines that are lighter in weight but 401 is neat- I'm still learning mine and found a cabinet for the 403 I got from my mom as well - thinking the 403 is a bit less intimidating and I think cams will do all the stitches though probably not the combination builtin/cam stuff I was reading a bit about on the 401 in the book.
for heavy and zig zag option I LOVE the Morse machines! I think I read the fotomatics are left homing (I'm getting a 4300 from someone on a facebook group and guess I'll find out but i have plenty that aren't left-homing for piecing with my 1/4 inch foot...) my mom's singer fashionmate 237 I think is the model # is simple to use - the only pain in the booty is vertican bobbin. I think the ones with the drop-in bobbin are easiest and the ones without belts :-)
we need a flowchart LOL to help pick a machine