My 17-year-old granddaughter is taking sewing lessons and wants her own machine. Please suggest which machine will be best for her--easy to use but with some extras too.
I want to spend between $100-$200.
Also, what is the difference between a 1-step and a 4-step buttonhole?
I am leaning toward a Janome.
Thanks,
Bebe

A Janome or a Brother, I love my Brother machine.

Janome just buy from a dealer so she can get classes.

If she will be doing garment sewing get her a machine that has the 1 step button hole.

she will have fun!

oh you only have 1-200 then I would lean towards janome, Cheap brothers arent so great. you can go to hancocks and buy a Janome, esp when they are on sale. I think the dealer warranty is still valid, you will have to register it online however.

This one is 300 but you will get all the neat toys.
http://www.allbrands.com/products/abp24907.html

but you can possibly also find a better machine as a trade in, check your dealer :)

I like Janome and have had good luck with them. I do have to defend my first sewing machine though. It was a Brother from Wal mart. My DD paid $59.00 for it on a Black Friday sale and that little guy can sew. I used it for a long time and it still runs great. It's my backup machine now.

Yes, if she's sewing clothing a one-step buttonhole would be easier for her. Otherwise it would take four different "steps" for the other kind. Not that it's impossible (I actually did buttonholes last week WITHOUT using my automatic buttonholer, which is amazing for me) but just easier.

1 Step Button hole, just hit the button hole program and it does it all for you... 4 step, it stops after each step is my understanding of it .

I have the Brother CS6000i . It is a great machine, the price has dropped to around 150.00 had a lot of neat stitches and comes with a quilters package :thumbup:

I just got a Brother 6000i, and i am having a lot of fun with it. It is a great machine... it gives you pretty much everything for about 149.99 so you do not have to worry about buying extra feet, etc. I got mine from Amazon. I am also very new when it comes to quilting. This machine is great for a beginner and yet i have known people who are way more advanced than i am who also own this machine. It has great reviews.

Check it out at Amazon for the reviews, etc. It also has 70 different stitches and is computerized. It is a "More bang for your buck" kind of machine!