My daughters got me one for Christmas. I have been using the low-end Brother JX2517. Good machine, but no bells or whistles. I've worked on piecing 2 different tops. Really like how the machine works and would recommend it.

I bought one in 2006. It came with a variety of feet, a walking foot and a quilting table. I keep it in a tote for classes. It is an excellent machine. Sturdy, lightweight and portable. Have never had a problem with it "walking" because it was too light. You can't go wrong with this machine. There's a reason it's been around a while and still selling well at a great price. Good luck.

I have the SQ9000 and i love it. My DD and a DGD have the one that came out two years later but is almost the same as mine and they love them. DGD is having so much fun learning to make some of her own dresses. She is 18 and I am so proud of her learning to sew.

I had one & loved it, used it at classes & Stitch Camps, always performed well. I took it to a family reunion in case anyone needed clothing repairs, my oldest granddaughter also loved it so it went home with her. Mine is about 10 years old & still going strong.
As for bouncing around it depends on what type of table it is on, just put a piece of rubberized shelf lining or an inexpensive yoga mat cut into rectangles for machines to sit on, cuts down on noise & bouncing, especially on plastic tables that are in most community centers used for retreats.

I paid $99 for mine on Amazon. Great little machine for classes. Lightweight.

My friend has the top of the line Bernina and another friend has the Brother Dream Machine. Both cost $250 for regular maint check and cleaning. Her Bernina had a bobbin sensor fail a week past the warranty and it cost almost $1500 for the repair and part. The machines under $500 are way overlooked for great sewing. I can afford any machine I want but I won't buy one over $500. I always check the regular maint cost first too. None of my machines cost over $65 for general cleaning. My Brother 1500 cost $55 for cleaning but it rarely needs it because it's so easy to keep cleaned and oiled by me.

Bought one for daughter in law...I used it th finish a a quilt for. her mother I liked it.......