I started sewing when I was nine and joined 4-H at the time and I am still at it. My mom bought me a Singer with a shuttelcock bobbin and the bentwood case which I still have. I agree see if mom and dad are ok with machine and then if you decide to buy one I would go to local sewing machine dealer and look for a basic used machine. Maybe look for a 4-H group in her area, there is a 4-H group in my area that meets monthly and has different projects for each month.