Kenmores made by Janome are also good machines and lower in cost. That's what I got a few yrs ago when I started back into sewing/quilting. I now have a larger machine but this still gets used a lot. I don't know where you are from but here Hancock Fabrics has a nice Janome on sale for 199 with lots of stitches and if you are 55 or over its senior citizen day the first and 3rd Wedn of the month so the discount will be on top of the sale price. I'm headed there after I get off work to get some fabric and scissors. The 2nd Wed is Military discount day so for the 1st 3 Wed of the month I'm covered. Good luck