Learned to sew on my mother's 1913 White treadle. Made prom dresses, maternity clothes and baby clothes on it. Got my own first machine when we were stationed overseas. I knew it would either be a Pfaff or a Necchi. Never had an opportunity for a Pfaff but when the opportunity to buy a Necchi in Rome came up I jumped at the chance. That was in 1951 and I used it until 1974 when the freearm came out. Bo't another Necchi but by then parts were plastic, etc and the machine didn't last. Bo't a used heavy metal Viking but never liked the tensions on that so in 1991 I bit the bullet and put out the money for a Bernina and never looked back. Now I have that Bernina 1031 and the Artista 180 sewing/embroidery machine.