Hi everybody. This is the first time I’m writing a review. I learned to stich in 1986. At that time I had a singer merritt machine. I stiched loads and loads of clothes for about 10 years. then one day in 1996, dad bought the singer fashion maker classic N. He wanted it to be a grand surprise for me and my mom. Till this day it really is a surprise or rather an enigma for us. We still haven’t fathomed the machine. It broke down in the first month we got it home. The sales men at the shop could not believe there ears when we complained. Then of course we took the machine there. They changed the bobbin and some other machine parts. We hoped that it would be the final repair. But for the past 10 years, we get a local repairman almost 3-4 times a year. And every time we hope that it will work ok now. As for my talent in stiching, earlier I used to stich a complete salwar suit in a day. Since 96 I have not stiched a single complete garment. The minute I make my mind to stich, and the machine revolts against me, it gets so frustrating that I vow never to touch it again. I have spend thousands on tailor bills. That apart thousands on my blood pressure bills as every time I have a serious ’’jang with my darzi’’. If my experience is of any value to anyone, then I will suggest all serious fashion designers never to opt for this piece. The product is just not right. And I have been tolerating it close to 10 years now. On the other hand the older Singer Merritt hand machine I had is still working like a dream. We have added a motor to it. And believe you me it’s been 27 years that my mother owns this machine, it has never been touched by a repairman. Touchwood. Occasionally we oil the machines. The extra sensitive fashion maker just clogs like a ’’chhui mui’’ pampered rich man’s ward. Where as her darling elder sister runs gleefully like a toddler in a toy shop. Don’t get me worng if I seem to have this step motherly treatment towars the 298 Classic N, but how long can I tolerate. It’s really getting on my nerves. Many a times I have contemplated and now I think it’s time to say goodbye to it. So I am looking for a good scrap dealer to see it off. And then may be find some other product like ’’Brother’’. My fashion maker will always remain a mysterios memory for me. Hope this is useful for all of you.