Originally Posted by
redstilettos
Walmart has a pretty decent Brother machine for under $200. My girlfriend purchased one for her travel machine and loves it.
No matter what you end up with, the memories will far surpass whatever machine it is.
I still have my first machine (which was given to me by my mother when I was 13).
Let's just say that was a "few" years ago!
I have been using my Walmart Brother (non-electronic) starter machine for nearly twenty years, and it has been cross country under a greyhound bus, twice. It still works as well as the day I bought it. Go for it. Great machine to start out on, unless she has a real creative, artistic bent, only then would I invest in a more expensive machine later. You could always start with the less expensive machine, and if she stays with sewing as a hobby, you could then get her a fancier machine as a graduation gift. Just my thoughts.