The machines sold in craft store aisles are made for craft sewing not heavy use quilt sewing. Many of them hold up past a couple of years of steady sewing shows they aren't as bad as many think. I would suggest the new Janome Jem line, it's portable and has lots of added features. My Jem is years old and has never given me one bit of trouble. The new ones are loaded with features. Take you DH to a sewing machine dealer and he will leave thinking whatever you like under $500 is a bargain. Remember the machines sold at craft stores are made for craft sewing, not heavy use.