I got a very nice Brother with 60 stitches for $150. I think that is a reasonable price for a good beginner machine. It is a Brother CS6000i, and I do love it. I also have a Pfaff 7570 with the embroidery unit, but I wouldn't give that to a beginning sewer. I think it would thoroughly frustrate her, but my Brother would be great. I use it for my beginning sewing students, and it seems to have worked out well for beginners.