You can't go wrong with a Janome. Go to your local shop and try the various ones out. There is a large range of prices to choose from. Needle up and needle down, the ability to move the needle right or left, knee lift is nice if you do machine applique. Mine have never been in the repair shop and I have had one of them over 10 yrs. the others are newer. ALso aome people might not know this but use ONLY Janome bobbins in them. I had a lady put a metal bobbin in her machine and it messed up the timeing. Enjoy