Jeanette,
Don't feel bad about only having one machine. My parents gave me a Capitol sewing machine when I graduated from high school. It was my first zig zag and I used it hard for a good ten years. After I was married and had my first child I wanted one of those new "free arm" machines so that I could make baby clothes. I purchased a little "free arm" machine from Sears. That little Kenmore was a real workhorse. When I discovered Bernina 20 years later I sold my little Kenmore. It was still running just great. That Capital machine had it's own cabinet. When my daughter got married 5 years ago I gave it to her. THe poor thing finally gave up the ghost and the company no longer exists so it was not repairable. I have fond memories of all my machines.