I've heard good things about IKEA's inexpensive sewing machine. It has straight stitch plus quite a few decorative stitches, the feed dogs don't drop so it would be hard to use for FMQ.I looked at one last week and it is too small to FMQ on it anyway. It's cute and runs about $80.00, I don't have a backup machine, don't think I need one but I might ask Santa for one anyway. My grandson wants to quilt and I won't let him anywhere near my Bernina which I love. It's worth looking into.

I have a Janome Harmony that I teach my grandchildren on. I'm always surprised when I sew on it how well it does. I just discovered (by accident) a great little decorative stitch on it that I love!!