/diy/ - Do It Yourself

I'm considering getting a sewing machine. Mostly i just wanna use it to sew on patches / mend clothes in general. Ive been doing it by hand but it takes hours to fix even a small hole. Been considering getting one of those old ass full metal singer sewing machines. I did some research and everyone is basedfacing over them being indestructible and better at sewing through multiple layers of denim etc, and it does sound convincing. I got ONE question, and escuse me if its a supid one

> How far will the straight stitch of a vintage singer get me?`

I dont care for decorative stitches but arent there some stitches moderns machines can do that have genuine utility? I watched a how to vid where this lady explained how to prepare and apply a patch of denim, and she prepped the patch by doing this criss cross stitch along the edges of the patch. Now I'm just some dumbfuck but intuitively i'd assume that might like ... keep the fabric together where it's been cut?

Or am I overthinking this and straight stitch is fine for just about everything?