You can never have enough...

[Praktica]

Hi there Olive - back in the 1970s we bought a Husquvarna machine. We had it serviced a couple of years ago, and it's working fine. One way into sewing machines, is to buy a used all mechanical machine, like ours, and get it serviced. This will work out a lot less than buying new.
Hunni - the problem with your Husquvarna is probably a blown suppression capacitor in the foot switch. This can be replaced by the use of a screwdriver - no soldering required. I can give you the part number of a suitable part that you could order online, and put up some photos showing how to replace the part, if you wish.