i ***adore*** my "entry level" janome. i got it as a gift more than 20 years ago. it's been in for service once, and never ever fails me.
it's not fancy. it doesn't do anything special and it drives me a little crazy when the bobbin runs out and i keep stitching.
but it sews a great straight stitch, the zigzag works like a charm and for just about everything i have ever wanted to do (and i make a lot of my clothes too) it has risen to the challenge almost flawlessly. that includes zippers, buttonholes and the odd request to sew fabrics like canvas and duck.
you'll probably get all kinds of advice here. mine would be to find a good solid mechanical machine and save the fancy computer boards and plastic fantastics for a time when money isn't such a tight concern.
aileen