Originally Posted by
LynnBBQ
The only machine I regret on some level is a vintage Dressmaker machine I bought for $35 at an antique mall. It is super-cute but I did not realize at the time that it is a left-needle machine. I only make quilts, so I need a 1/4" seam but it is so hard to get with a left-needle machine. Oh well.... for $35 it can sit and look vintage.
I have 14 vintage machines and four of them are left-homing. I make a lot of scrappy quilts, so I use them when I piece quilts that don't absolutely need a 1/4" seam allowance, like simple patchwork and blocks. I butt my magnetic seam gauge up against the edge of the presser foot and go! All four machines do beautiful straight stitches, but three of them also do a zig-zag. That's all I really need or want a machine to do. I find that I really like the wider (3/8") seam allowance; I use a small stitch length and press my seams open. They have become my favorite piecing machines.
Give that Dressmaker a try - you may find that you really enjoy that machine!
Now to the OP's question - the only machine I regretted buying was a "new old" Kenmore, model 158.1914. This machine was from the early 70's and for vintage Kenmore collectors is considered to be the "holy grail" of Kenmore machines - the "best one they ever made", so of course I had to have it.
<roll eyes>
I finally found one on Craigslist that I could afford - had all the cams, attachments and everything. Well, I hated it. As hard as I tried, I never bonded with that machine and I ended up giving that machine and another 70's era Kenmore that also used cams to a lady in my Sit and Sew group. She loves them and we're both happy!