I'm a guy and just started sewing, the house needs new curtains and being retired, I figure I can make them for a lot less than buying them plus learn something in the process. I did a lot of research into Sewing machines before buying this one and not needing a machine with a zillion different stitches but one that will sew heavier fabrics, this one fit. Plus the price was right. I had it about a month, learning alll the paryts and how to thread it and all then taking the plunge and sewing my first stitches...not good at all....The line was as straight as crooked creek is behind our house. Anyway, after a LOT of trial and error, I finally began to get the hang of it and actually made a couple of tote bags that came out pretty well. Next up, the firs set of curtains. The machine works great, any errors so far are all on my part. The one thing I would like is to have more control over the speed of the stitching.