<p>My Designer 1 was a model that someone had bought and then decided to trade up during her free lessons. She put two hours of use on it. The Viking manager also had it on the floor for demo, and I think she racked up another eight hours. (There is a counter on Vikings that reveal how much it’s been used!) Floor models can be a great deal if you can get the specific history.</p>
<p>Singer has gotten a bad rap on their sewing machines since the touch n sew (aka touch n jam) came out in the '70s. I have several Singers from the 50’s and earlier that are workhorse machines.</p>
<p>If your daughter is or will become a sewing devotee I would highly recommend a Bernina. You may get lucky and find a used one at a dealer that was traded in. Bernina’s come in every variety from a simple mechanical machine to a fancy computerized version that costs as much as a car!</p>
<p>I just sold my gently used twenty year old viking to a friend for $100… it worked very well. I have a ten year old bernina as well. both work really well. i’d buy either used before i’d buy a new machine… the new machines are all about fancy embroidery which you dont need or want.</p>