Bernina 1008?

I don't own one, but I've used them in schools occasionally and like them. Basic utility stitches, but does them perfectly every time for years, even when abused by school kids. NOT pretty like some of the new machines, but USEFUL, which is better in my book!

My mother and my SIL both have them. The 1008 does what they need it to do - nothing terribly fancy or heavy. I have a 1260 and all of the different feet - they fit the 1008 -- and they borrow from time to time to do fancy hems and such... Good little workhorse machines, easy to use.

Cappy

I've got one and absolutely love it.

I learnt on one at school and they are so simple. When I went to buy a machine, I didn't hesitate as to which one I would buy despite the price. I found it instinctive to use, which I guess I would do after learning to sew on one, and figured that if they could cope with the kids in my class at school then they would be able to see me through without breaking down.

I like the fact that it is mechanical instead of computerised so can generally be fixed at home.

The darning foot also lets me do free machine embroidery whcih I found a problem on a few other machine as I kept having take the foot off to be able to put fabric in an embroidery ring underneath it.

Sarah