As an experienced seamstress for 40+ years, I learned not to buy without physically seeing and 'test driving' a new machine. While this machine has great built-in features that are fairly easy to use, ( I had to get better instructions from the internet to use the buttonholer), I would not recommend this to anyone. The Boxy style of the machine makes changing a needle very frustrating as you cannot see to hold the needle when inserting it into the proper place. The needle is hardly visible, so the needle threader is handy but not easy to work. I patch and mend jeans frequently and do not use this machine at all for that. I tried, but again because of the boxy design I could not see the inside of the leg or the patch itself to stitch down. And where are the instructions/diagram for lubricating this machine? I have sewn on and owned Singer machines for years, but I am very disappointed in this model.