I have a 500 dollar brother sewing machine that I travel with. It is great! Has lots of extras and even threads the needle by itself! My granddaughter just got a brother from Walmarts to start off her sewing career. She found it to have many features and decorative stitches and cost about 200. These machines may not last a lifetime but sure are good little sewers. My brother is just a few pounds. Just piecing and sewing, no FMQ. Good luck with your search. You are getting lots of advice!