I'm a German living in England, and last year I sold my old Singer machine, that I hardly ever used, on a car boot sale. Shortly after, I needed it, badly. So I had to go out and buy a machine. I opted for a foolproof beginner's machine and ended up with a Janome. But I felt, I had to justify this purchase, more to myself than anyone else, so I looked for patterns on the internet and found this site. What a blessing! I have never sewn anything in my life before; my 7th project is now completed and I'm loving it! I even catch myself looking in expensive clothes shop, tutting and thinking "I can do that!"