I do a lot of clothing construction and in my opinion, if he's doing clothing design he will most likely need zigzag, buttonhole and some basic decorative stitches. I wouldn't really recommend a vintage machine. While they are awesome for piecing, I think there are better choices for clothing construction. Again, in my opinion, there is nothing like a Bernina for clothing. That being said, I made a lot of suits, dresses, pants and wearable art on an 80's New Home. It was just a lot easier when I got my Bernina. I've never used a Brother, but I wouldn't hesitate to get a Janome for him.
You might be able to get a good deal on a used Janome that has been refurbished by the dealer. And I, too, would skip the Singer. The new ones aren't worth much.
Last edited by cashs_mom; 12-30-2017 at 08:51 PM.