Originaly, sewing machines did not go backwards. You have to manually "back up" over your stitches this way: Stop sewing when you get to the end, but use the wheel to make sure that the needle is still through the fabric, holding it in place. Then lift the lever to raise the pressure foot that holds the fabric down. Twirl your fabric around 180 degrees, so that your line of stitches is now on the other side of the needle. Lower the pressure foot and sew back over your stitching again. Do the whole procedure again a time or two, just to be sure. Oh - don't cut the threads until you have sewed over the stitches. I would bet it was a hundred years or more that people had to do that with their sewing. It is easy, once you get used to it. I came across this thread by accident during a search and was shocked that no one had posted this! Am I the only old person out there?

I have model 515/IV-31 too. Did anybody had luck to find thread instructions? Please share with me....

It might be a good idea to set a budget. There are good quality basic machines for under $1000. If you want to spend under $500, you are probably looking at a reconditioned trade in. If you want an electronic machine, you will be spending over $1000, on up to the price level ngmnewlywed listed. But it is not necessary to spend that much to get a decent sewing machine unless you want all the bells and whistles including advanced embroidery capability. I am a part time student at a fashion design program, and very few people in my classes have a machine like that. There is also the issue of getting an industrial machine. They sew much faster -- but do cost more. You might look online at Allbrands to see what is available. On the other hand, having a local dealer is a distict advantage when you have questions or want support.

Susan, you mentioned you around Denver. I'm in SE Aurora and have had a lot of luck with finding great older machines at some of my local thrift stores. My favorite place for cabinet machines is called Unique at the corner of Buckley and Iliff. On Monday's everything is 25% off and on Holidays everything is 50%. From them I've bought - 2 New Home NHR rotary machines for under $20 on their half-price days (on the first one I've replaced the pulley and it works fine; the other I'm keeping for parts because it had a box full of the attachments and the power cord I was missing from the other). A very pretty Singer in a cabinet, circa 1955 with a box of attachments for $25 for my mother (I still have to get it working and refinish the cabinet) A Viking Husqvarna (from Sweden) portable with the attachments and the manual including the original warranty from 1966 that just needed oil and I've started teaching my daughter to sew on it. It cost $12.50 (on half price day) Today I was at a Goodwill on Parker Road and Belleview. I picked up a New Home Light Running Rotary Model 8F in it's carrying case for $25 - I haven't found any info about it yet though. I can tell it needs oil and I need to reseat the wires in the electrical connection. I don't usually see sewing machines at this Goodwill, but always see them at Unique for a lot less than your budget. If you want to know some other thrift stores on this end of town send me an email through my page (I'm not over here very often, I'm usually lurking in RMG gardening, Cooking or Harvest). Good luck with your search Jen