I have a Serenade, bought new a few years ago, never had a problem. But it hasn't been used alot. lately I've been using my backup Pfaff on the dining room table for convenience since I can fit two other machines on the same table, one for embroidery, another for quilting. But Rhonda, the Serenade is not a machine you'd want to take to a class. It's very large and heavy.