All of the above reasons. It took me a long time to come upon the first one and I could tinker with it myself. It didn't need much. Then by happenstance a few years later a very inexpensively priced one crossed my path and I could tinker with it myself. I have since taken a Featherweight maintenance class. They are adorable. They sew a great stitch. They are portable. They do have a relatively large throat in case one wants to quilt on one. I've heard tell the motor isn't strong enough but then a few years back I was admiring some big quilts in a quilt shop and the owner said she quilted them all herself on her Featherweight. So I guess it is possible.