I totally agree with buying a real inexpensive machine and investing in a beginner sewing class and joining a 4-H group. I started at 10 in 4-H and mom bought me a 1940 Singer 128 (which I still have). My machine was older than any of the other girls machines and weighed a ton (Bentwood cover) and had a shuttle bobbin but it could sew circles around the newer machines. I would look at the EverSewn Sparrow, the Sparrow 15 is a basic machine and is priced at $149.00 on Amazon and has good reviews.