For ten years, I used a Brother XL-5130. It was an inexpensive machine, but boy, was it a mechanical workhorse--sewed jeans and corsets with no problem. I faithfully kept up the weekly maintenance (dusting and oiling) and never needed to have it serviced or repaired. Then one day the stitches started skipping badly, and from the research I did, it was likely the timing and the repairs would cost more than the machine was worth. So I went looking and after some debating, bought a Singer Stylist.
It's computerized, which took some getting used to, but I like some of the features that are only available on computerized machines, such as auto needle positioning. When you stop sewing, it will either raise the needle to the upright position, or lower it into the fabric, depending on which setting you use. Very useful. I also really like having the speed control. I'm a sewing teacher and some of my students use my machine during their classes. The old Brother would stall out if they didn't press hard enough on the pedal, and if they pressed too hard, it would go racing and terrify them. The Singer can be adjusted so it only goes at a steady, slow pace, which the students are much more comfortable with. Also, it makes beautiful one-step buttonholes! You just press the button and zip-zip-zip! You have a perfect buttonhole. With my old machine, I never did get a decent buttonhole. In fact, I learned how to make buttonholes by hand specifically because they were so time-consuming and ugly.
As for the Singer's flaws, I don't like how dim the light is. I even duct-taped a book light to the side of the sewing machine to try and cast more light on what I was sewing. I also don't like how sometimes the pedal does nothing. I'll push all the way down and it's completely dead. I'll pump it a few times and eventually it will start up. That gets frustrating. But it was a bargain on Amazon--half the price that Hancock Fabrics charges for the exact same machine.
As far as sewing accidents, the worst that's ever happened to me was the time my cat swallowed a needle. He loved to eat thread and ribbons, which is SO dangerous, but I hadn't realized his proclivities yet, and so I left my pincushion out. He tried eating the thread and ended up with the needle lodged in the back of his throat. The vet said we were fortunate--if it had gone into his stomach, he would have needed surgery. As it was, it cost a lot of money for them to sedate him and pull the needle from his throat. Now we have a rule: no kitties in the sewing room!
Also, I make all my students sign a waiver of liability promising that they won't sue me if they cut, stab, prick, puncture, or otherwise injure themselves while sewing.
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