I am thinking of looking for an old sewing machine at yard sales and such that just has the one straight stitch (I am thinking this will help me sew in a straight line :mrgreen: ) I am wondering if you geniuses had any ideas on what I should look for and what I should stay away from thanks bunches

Your best bet is to look thru the Vintage thread
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-43881-1328.htm
and read some of the rec's on there. I just picked up a 15-91 to try FMQ on, but there are many fans of 201's, 66's, and of course FW's.

You kinda need to decide what you want to do, do you want a treadle , an electric or a hand crank?

Singers or Kenmore.

Oh girl..go for the gusto!. I found a Singer 301a at an antique store for $75. It's fun to own and the plate has a 1/4" line on it. It was missing a guide which I found in Ebay and MrG fixed it for me.
The baby sister to the 301/301a is the featherweight.

I don't know if sewing a straight line has anything to do with the machine you are using. It is how you hold and feed your fabric into the machine and practice, practice, practice is what will help you there. That said, I love my vintage machines.

I prefer my Featherweight and would suggest looking for one, but I hear that the 301 is a good choice also.

Any Vintage, straight stitch machine is better than a low end plastic machine that's now sold. You can't go wrong! I have a straight stitch White. There are awesome Necchis out there too.

I have a 301, and it sews a much straighter seam than my 1 year old Brother machine. The 301 is no speed demon, though, so if you are used to sewing fast, you'll have to slow down some.

Candace has it spot on. I have a fairly new embroidery/sewing machine, but for everyday sewing, I prefer my vintage straight stitch machines.

My 301 sews as fast as any other machine. I have a Singer 301 and a 1949 Necchi that are straight stitch machines. I like them for quilting. Any all metal ss machine should be fine. White, Singer, Dressmaker, Brother, Kenmore etc. I have an Admiral made by Brother that looks like a Necchi that may be for sale for $25, plus shipping.