+1 to what lswan said. Find a nice, clean Singer 301, have it serviced and you'll have a great machine that will last for many years for less than $150. The 301 is aluminum, so it's only a bit heavier than a Featherweight (but it's full size) and it has a built-in handle for carrying. Elegant design. Manuals available for free online. A sewing machine that you have to oil regularly is a good way for a beginner (or anyone, for that matter) to bond with it and understand a little about how it works. The 301 is the best machine on Earth for piecing quilts.
Last edited by Manalto; 12-04-2015 at 04:29 AM.