My first machine I got when I was 5-6. It was a little toy hand crank called "Little Mother". It was chain stitch and NEVER really worked. But I found it when i was cleaning out Mom's house and have it on display in by sewing room . Would love to know what kind of needle it used so I could have it intact.
I used mom's Singer 306(still have it- why?) until she bought me a Singer treadle for my own. When I graduated from HS, folks bought me a Singer 406 which I still have and plan to keep forever. It will outsew most of the new ones if you discount the bells and whistles. I just upgraded to a Janome 7700 and do like it but the old machines for every day sewing just can't be beat.