I purchased a Brother from Walmart a few months ago as a back up machine for $200.00. It has drop in bobbin, needle down, needle threaders and quite a few fancy stitches. Have been using it ever since and it sews very well. my other machines are babylock, decorators choice and a 20 year old mechanical, both of which have many miles.

Laurafaith, I have several machines - and most of the ones out there are good machines. You might want to give the Babylock Sofia a look - while it is just a little higher than your price range - I think I paid $700 or $800 for it new, it is a sewing AND embroidery machine. This would give you the option to do embroidery when you were ready without spending any more money. It is a GREAT machine and light enough to take to classes. I use it mainly to sew because I have other embroidery machine options - but really for the price, you get it all.

Good luck on your quest. Machines aren't cheap. Check out trade ins at stores, also the ads

I paid about that for my babylock - espire I think it is (symphony came out later with a few more stitches) I love it for machine applique (though I really don't do enough to justify the purchase) but it has a button you can select where it will stop needle down and lift the presser foot enough to pivot turn the applique..really nice feature though others get tired of hearing the little 'beep' it makes!

I love my Janome, Horizon, which was a demonstrator. I got it for $1,000. Showed them my income tax refund check and asked them to make it work. They did and I am really happy now for 2 years. You never know. If they are in a selling contest it also helps. If they are close to a prize then they are extra motivated. You don't know what their quota is and if they haven't met it for the year, your sale can help them maintain their franchised dealership too.

Tip, if looking at cheaper machines make sure they do either blanket stitch or satin stitch for you applique work. I have a small husqvana viking h100 which cost £200. It doesn't do the blanket stitch but needle moves it does great satin and zigzag stitch. It is a great little machine to take to classes as it is light in weight.
have fun looking and have as many demo as possible.

Good sewing machines can be pricey these days & $3-400 (which is not an insignificant amount of $), doesn't buy much in terms of quality. You could try used machines (again, the budget is a little on the low side at dealers), or consider you may "need" to spend more & start looking till you find a machine you love. Set a 2015-realistic budget (maybe $1500?) & test drive everything in that general price range. Negotiate with your LQS. Maybe you can trade in your current machine? Ask about 0% financing. Some stores, mine included, will offer layaway. Good luck

For me the Pfaff is the only way to go, best machine out there as long as you get the older ones, why, the older ones come with steel parts, I have one with the walking foot and one without, get one withe the walking foot, my hubbs spotted the one on craigs list with a walking foot, and got a fantastic deal, plus the guy sent it from California, he wrapped it so well, I couldn't believe it made it in one piece, and it worked beautifully, that was maybe 6 or 7 years ago, I take my machines in every year, if i have been using them non stop every 6 mos,. I just love these machines. But whatever you decide, you have to like it and use it. Best of luck looking