I FMQ on a brother that was 200 I'm learning but wasn't hard to do my first lap. I do with what I can afford. Try and find something that comes with accessories. Mines a CI6000 and it came with a walking foot, darning foot and the even quilting tool you attach to the walking foot. Great deal for me! Get the most for your money and look at feet for the machine because those are an investment too. Cheap machine with expensive feet or expensive machine and expensive feet. Make sure it all fits in your budget. Invest in batting while you have the money too!!! Goes fast when you can quilt your own quilts!