Great article, thank you, and really appreciate the note about cutting straight lines and getting good scissors. I've been using old scissors as sharp as a wet noodle, stupid and will be ordering new ones. I bought the Singer 4452, very similar to the machine you listed. My first bigger project, a bag/duffel to hold my rolled up 2 person DIY packraft, PFD, 4 piece paddle, Big Agnes floor, air-pillow seat, inflation bag and battery inflator - looks like crap! But it's a start. I've been in the outdoor industry and military gear since forever, have used industrial machines - but never made my own stuff. Thank you for the encouragement!