Well Tom, I have three sewing machines: a #9000 Janome (embroidery and general sewing/quilting - which I use the most); a #3500 Janome (general sewing/quilting which is my travel machine) and a #221 Singer Featherweight (which I've yet to use). I simply love Janome machines. My criteria for a good sewing machine (I am a quilter and quilting instructor) is 1) a drop in bobbin; 2) a "beep" that tells me when I'm runing low on thread in the bobbin' 3) straight and even stitches; 4) add-on parts that are reasonably priced and 5) ease of cleaning since I vacuum and clean my machines on a weekly basis.
The Janome is quiet, dependable and a work horse. I probably sew patchwork or machine applique or foundation paper piecing on a daily basis and in the Janome I've a machine that does all of the above beautifully. My #9000 is almost ten years old and like a Timex it keeps on running.
The two things (and there's only two things) I find annoying about my #9000 is no bobbin thread cutter and its weight (37 lbs.). The bobbin thread cutter was not available on a Janome until the #1100 was produced. I sure would like a bobbin cutter, but not enough to trade in my #9000...and the #1100 weighs even more!
Unfortunately the #9000, #1000 and #1100 are WAY over your price limit, but the #3500, my travel machine might fit the bill. Janome's #6600 is a terrific machine that you might want to look into also. Good luck, Valerie