My Mom had a machine that wasn't used because it was a dud.

My mom never used hers, she blamed the machine but somehow it always worked fine for Gran! I remember it clearly, and the cabinet it never left unless Grandma was over fixing something. :D

I think some people get them because in their mind it's just something you're supposed to have as part of a complete household, or it was a wedding or similar gift that they feel obliged to keep, but they don't actually have a desire or aptitude for using it.

I was just given a Kenmore in a cabinet that all looks like new .But, no book so I can not figure how to get the thing to do anything but sew straight --seems I don't know what to do with the fancy stitch button --how to set it .

A friend bought a brand new Bernina 830(old style) several years ago at an estate sale. The woman's hubby bought it for her and she didn't want to sew, so it sat unused until my friend bought it.

My sister and one dil would have machines that are like new. They do not like to sew!

I was ( gifted) a machine a few years ago, it was an expensive, top of the line machine in 1956, in a beautiful cabinet, with lots of cams/attachments/features. Was used twice. My uncle bought the machine for my aunt when they had their first child, uncle's thought, she could make baby clothes.... She tried a couple times, didn't really like sewing- for years & years I remembered that beautiful cabinet with the big beautiful plant sitting on it, I had no idea there was a sewing machine in there. After my uncle passed away my aunt asked me if I could use an old machine... Told me the story and gave it to me.
So, to answer your question-
Just because it wasn't used doesn't mean its a dud or has anything wrong with it- sometimes people just get one, but find they never use it.

Morningstar: I have heard a lot of people say they found manuals that are downloadable by Googling the model number. Good luck.

Do you use everything that you have bought or have been given ? I know I sure haven't. Kids gave us an ice cream maker about 10 years ago, never been out of the box. Also have many other things given as gifts that have never been used.

That was my MIL - she didn't sew but had a sewing machine. However - it could never be said that it wasn't used because she let me use it and I sewed everything.

My dad bought my mum a sewing machine, which she never used, she hated even sewing a button, but would knit beautiful intricate clothes for babies or adult, she even knitted a dress one with two ply cashmere no 14 needles(really thin) that was so intricate it looked like lace. I have sewn from as far back as I can remember and mums machine was still in cardboard packing case until I took it out and used it.