@Bunniekins oh, thank you for that, I will look for the lowest price but still of the type that would fit your suggestion there. I too always like to go just-that-little-bit-better/ more-than-I-think-I-want-right-now, when I buy such things.
OOh goody, I can go find more crafty stuffs now .... I may take a couple of days to do this thoroughly though Greenpea as I expect you're not wanting to run out tomorrow and grab one (unless there's an awfully good sale on, I suppose) LOL
Times like the Brisbane Exhibition, and maybe the same event for other large cities, and in the lead up to Mothers Day are traditionally the times sewing machines go on sale - just sayin'. 
@Appleblossom How delightful to hear your lovely and heartbreaking story. I learned on an old black Singer treadle, firstly my babysitter's then ma finally let me use hers after she bought the new electric Singer Feather. My goodness how the memories come flooding back. I was not allowed to touch it. Unfortunately, my ma was not kind, but craved kindness herself, I think she had a difficult life with her own mother and thus was unable to let herself be kind. We will never know.
My own first machine was an electric, refurbished industrial Singer, grey coloured with the coloured plastic insertions for fancy stitches that went in the top. Oh, my the things I made with that machine. My clothes, like you curtains and other things for the marital home, and many items for the children too.
I can't recall exactly when I upgraded to an Elna, a wee portable thing that was very frustrating because I had to hold the threads at the back of the needle to begin EVERY time. Other machines came after that, including overlockers.
Of them all I think I loved that first Singer the most, it was my escape. I could use it whenever I wanted to, no one was able to tell me I couldn't touch it. And it taught me so much. Next was the Bernina with the knee operation lever for lifting the foot. Ah, so nifty.
I can relate with not attaching to a 'new' machine too, you know. About 10 years ago, during a break in my sewing machine was stolen (along iwth other things) and the shop the insurance replacement was done through ended up being less than stellar in their performance and possible replacements.
After about 10 years of putting up with that hateful machine 
I gave it to a women's shelter workshop place. That's when I decided to go mechanical with this one. We get along very, very well. 
Time and needs change don't they. Only very rarely can I buy the style of clothes I choose to wear and if I can, they are so far beyond my means to afford, so I make them for myself.
)
