This is such a great resource to have and I have learned so much.My daughter inlaw wanted to know if the BrotherCS6000 sewing machine from Jo-ann's would be a good purchase for a new sewer and I thought of all of you being my go to help! Thanks ahead of time and I'll pass your thoughts on to her. Leslie

This model got great reviews on patternreview.com. I wanted a dealer machine, so I got a Brother HS 2000. But I wouldn't be afraid of the CS 6000i. Amazon has it for $150-175.

You can look at the reviews on walmart.com - if you buy it there, you get a bonus of an even feed foot, a darning foot and a hard plastic case. It's not available in the stores, only at walmart.com - $179

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Brother-Co...S6000I/4764726

I really like it - with 20-some-odd sewing machines, it doesn't get used much any more, but when I want to do a quick buttonhole, that's the machine I pull out.

It weighs almost nothing, so it's not good for free-motion quilting, but it does handle some pretty heavy sewing chores - hemming pants, for instance. I think the manual for it is online on the Brother site so you can look it over and see how easy it is to use.

I just checked amazon for it as well. 169 with free shipping...saves 30 dollars plus for more fabric :)

I really have fun with mine.

Thanks for all the help. I will pass it on so she can decide what she wants to do.