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Greetings, all! My name is Elizabeth, and I'm a relatively new member, who skipped over this step a few months ago. I have been reading hundreds (thousands?) of forum posts, and analyzing the amazing member creations in the gallery. I'm a beginning leathercrafter, who has been honing my cutting, burnishing, and handstitching skills with totes, purses, journals, and card holders for a little while. I have a background in textiles, having embroidered and sewn fabric since elementary school, as well as working with yarn, crocheting, knitting, and weaving. In addition to making items, I hand-dye fabrics and yarn, for myself and for sale. I re-discovered leathercraft this last winter, in need of a new hobby as an outlet while I finish my business degree; as an adult full-time student, and a Type-A perfectionist, I needed something to focus my creative energies. Having tired of the horribly low-quality leather items readily available, and the ever- rising prices on the somewhat higher-quality "luxury" leather goods, I hoped to learn to make something in-between. I first checked out Valerie Michael's The Leatherworking Handbook over and over from the library when it was initially published, wishing and hoping for access to all the specialized equipment described inside; as you all know, all the obscure, specialized equipment I previously could only dream of is now just a few clicks away. I have known for months that I wanted an industrial sewing machine. A new machine seemed to be the answer, as very, very few used machines come up for sale on either Craigslist or eBay, anywhere nearby, and I don't own a large vehicle. Having read all the pinned posts, and taught Google to rank leatherworker.net/forum posts high in searches, I narrowed my options... then BANG! Two machines "fell" unceremoniously into my lap, one via Craigslist, and the other on eBay. Thankfully, I am somewhat mechanical, and I have relatives who are fairly well-versed in engineering and electronics. So, I am now the proud owner of a Singer 111w155, and the soon-to-be owner of a Consew 226. My understanding is they are the same basic machine; both are currently equipped with clutch motors, soon to be changed out (once I make a few decisions, sigh). I am in the process of cleaning up the Singer, as it was stored for quite some time, and is dirty and gunky. My living room is in the process of becoming studio space, with the addition of the giant tv/ chair-and-a-half, as it makes more sense to have the sewing machines/ cutting table/ weaving loom both spread out and more readily available (and because I can, ). Anyway, I thank you all for so readily sharing your knowledge/ expertise/ opinions. Without this forum, I don't think I would have dared take such a big plunge into this hobby- I would still be worrying about choosing my first side, let alone getting over making that first cut. - Elizabeth