I replaced an older, broken Brother sewing machine with this Singer, and couldn't be happier. It was easy to load the bobbin and thread the machine, and I was sewing in no time at all. I haven't sewn anything in a few years, and my first attempts at masking face masks were successful. I'm moving on next to arm covers for the furniture in my family room. It's good to have an easy to use, sturdy machine in the house once again !