For me brother/babylock and juki would be my first choice simply because you can get a great machine without shelling out a lot of money and they sew great. My walmart brother SQ-9050 sews through anything and has always sewn beautifully. It is about 4 years never one issue still sews like a champ. personally I have never gone to any of the shows looking for machines so don't know whats available. Almost every brand should have something in different spectrums of price worth seeing. I have sewn on singer, brother, babylock, viking, and bernina and still love my brothers and have loyally stuck with them or babylock if amazingly by chance you get one cheaper than a brother as I did almost 6 years ago on my first high end before I upgraded. I could go on and on about my dreamweaver but not sure what your budget is so don't want to suggest things that maybe you are not interested in