When I started - I went to Walmart and purchased one of their Singer machines - I think it was around $ 100 - I think they are cheaper now. Anyway, I didn't know if I would like quilting or not - it was a great simple machine to learn - I still have it and its a great backup machine - the investment is small but it will allow you to play around without a huge outlay of money. If you love quilting - then your fabric stash will out weigh your machine. In a year or so, you will know more about what machine you will want and use - so that is my advice. Welcome to the club...