all of the kids in my family learned to sew with brother machines from walmart- priced between $89 & $139---they were great beginner machines- easy to learn even had speed control- and 3 of them are still years later loved & used- not wanting to upgrade
it makes sense to me to spend $89 as apposed to $250 for a machine that might be used for a few months then go live in a closet for years---and the brothers from wally world held up to lots of different kids using them---ages from 5-23. i always recommend them for anyone who is just learning to sew- if they get the (sewing/quilting bug) and really start sewing all the time they will hold up and give the person time to save up for an upgrade- machine with more 'bells & whistles'