I learned how to sew in HS. For my HS graduation I got a JC Penny sewing machine which is now considered vintage. I sewed and quilted on that workhorse of a machine until around 2001 when I finally broke down and bought my new Bernina with a sewing table that recessed the machine bed down to be even with the table. Wow what a difference that made to me. While my vintage JC Penny operated just fine getting the Bernina improved my accuracy and greatly increased my pleasure in the sewing room. The stitch quality and ease of making a 1/4" seam allowance was immediately noticeable. And having a table that the machine recessed down into made a huge difference in not only accuracy but drag on the quilt from the weight. I likened it to going from an old pickup to a Cadillac. I still had issues FMQ so I got my longarm and again, the difference to me was galactic! So yes the right equipment can make a huge difference.