I agree with bayside gal, get and old Singer. They really don't take much to get going if needed. For as little as $125 or less you could get machine and sometimes a cabinet. I put a WTB ad on CL for a Singer 301 to send to my daughter in Japan so she could use it for quilting. I had a lady contact me and she gave it to me for free! Here are models I would suggest 201, 15-91 or 301, they're gear driven you won't be sorry.
Here is an example of what you could get
http://providence.craigslist.org/atq/2297439786.html