...you might enjoy using a straight stitch machine with all-metal internals. All metal probably means 1950s vintage or earlier, and it probably means Singer (because for a while they held patents for many of the design features that made sewing machines easy to use). Singer's high end domestic model was the
201 which was smooth, and almost silent.
The mechanical simplicity of straight stitch machines means maintenance is easy, which is a bonus. For sewing small items, a handcrank allows precise control and the feedback you get through the handle is useful.