Hi Everyone-I am a homeschooling mom and am looking to teach my daughter to sew. I have an old Dressmaker that was my grandmothers that has a funky setting for the needle it does not sit in the middle of the presser foot. (The sewing machine store said that was the way it was made) I love this machine and it sews great! I have even used it to sew leather when making horse dolls.

I want to incorporate sewing lessons in her curriculum this year.

My question is this-my daughter has expressed alot of interest in sewing and my machine is a little quirky-so do I show her the ropes on a quirky machine or purchase a new or used one to grow with her?

Is there anything to the thought process of the advantages of having metal gears versus plastic gears? Growing up this was all I heard, whole family sews from dressmakers to upholsterers. My mom had Riccars and Berninas.

So if you all can give me your thoughts on these two subjects I would greatly appreciate it.