Try the Janome Mini. Usually you can find it on sale at Hancock's for around $30 dollars. Regular price is about $55. I have one that I use to take with me to classes and such. It is a tought little machine. It makes a beautiful stitch and it very quiet and light weight. I have now bought three of them as gifts for kids - ages 6, 8 and 12. And the quilts that I am making with the neighbors' kids, this is the machine that they are using, with my help as they are all 3. I have had my Baby Jan for almost 2 years and have it serviced about twice and year and have had NO problems with it at all.