Originally Posted by
Onebyone
A Brother is the brand I would buy in that price range. I would check Amazon and compare. Put the one you like in your wish list so your SIL can get the one you want. I bought a brand new in box Brother 420PC for $250. I like it better then my Bernina 1260. A Janome Jem is excellent but will be more expensive. Also Ebay is a good place to compare machines too. Read the reviews before deciding.
I 2nd this, low price Brother machines are very good (I've had about 3 of them, my granddaughters fall in love with them so I then give them to a granddaughter or keep at out of state daughter's homes for me to use). Next are the Janome, I love my Janome Jem but it is more expensive. The Jem Gold runs about $199, a great sturdy machine, has about 8 preset stitches so cannot change length, width, etc, but a great little machine, I use one for travel & classes (I have the Jem Platinum, same machine but no longer made under that name, Necchi Travel Mate also same machine, made by Janome)