I got my first emb machine in 2001. It was a less cost one by brother it only did a 4x4 and it wasn't long before I up graded to a 8500D then from there I went to a 4000DD Get the most you can afford and you will be glad you went for the more instead of the less in this case.
Brother machine are user friendly and there are a lot of design on line. www.emblibrary.com is one of my favorite places. Good luck one which ever you get.