I purchased this machine a year ago but just finally got time to sit down and do a project with it. I am an absolute beginner sewer but I have had no problems with learning how to use this machine. I studied the manual and each part of the machine and learned how each part works and how to adjust the machine.I then purchased a couple of easy beginner books on sewing which I will also review (Sew Everything Workshop by Diana Rupp and Me and My Sewing Machine by Kate Haxell and they were both great books-I highly recommend them for learning how to sew) From those books, I learned about sewing machines, fabric, notions, using the correct needle for the type of fabric and using/reading patterns.I write all of this to illustrate that I am a complete beginner but I did take three days to read and educate myself before using the machine so that any problems I had with the Singer would be easily identified as either me or the machine.In sewing several very easy, straight stitch projects (nothing fancy like zippers, button holes, pleating or elastic) I had no problems at all. The machine is easy to thread and I had no problems with thread breakage or tension or fabric bunching. It sewed the way that it is supposed to and is very fast and powerful. For the first time (I have used very bad machines before and it chased me away from continuing to learn to sew--I am talking about you ELGIN!) I really enjoyed sewing and with this machine I want to continue to learn and make sewing a regular hobby and skill.I can recommend this product completely. I usually only write reviews for outstanding products and this is one. I also wanted to counter some of the reviews that were bad as I could tell from the problems described that the writer was more at fault for not taking the time to learn the machine and read the manual than the machine itself being at fault barring anyone who just happened to receive a possible lemon off of the production line which I know can happen with any product.So, if you are a beginner wanting to learn to sew and want an easy, basic machine at an excellent price (I paid $119.00 a year ago) with not a lot of frills which as a beginner you won't need or use much, this is the machine. Use this machine to learn and learn well and then maybe graduate to something fancier if you really progress in your skills. Thank you, Singer, for a great product at a good price!