I found my Janome Quilter's on Craigslist.

I've heard that the new Singer's aren't very good machines now so I would look into a Janome or a good, used one that someone may have upgraded for. Best wishes on your new baby. Jo

I love my Kenmore Model# 16231. It came with a walking foot and 1/4" foot when I bought it as a quilter's package several years ago. They still sell it online for $199. This thing is a workhorse-even sewed through a corduroy and flannel rag quilt. It has a lot of features that the higher end machines have like, needle up down, will sew using a start/stop button if you don't want to use the foot pedal. It has a bunch of decorative stitches and I have yet to find a thread it doesn't like. The only thing I don't like is the self threader-on the other hand it could be user error.

I love my Janome. You can get good deals on them.

I got my pre-loved Bernetta, a $300 machine for $150 at a local quilt shop. The machine had a walking foot included that would have cost me $50. So actually the machine was $100. I love it.

A great new machine that's under $500 is the Husqvarna viking Emerald 116, its a much better machine than any of the new Singers out there. I used to sell both brands.
You might also consider a used high end machine.
I recently bought a Pfaff 2040, it has the IDT(built in walking foot).

If you only have a small budget, I would much rather have an old singer, and old bernina (which by the way are wonderful) an old elna, an old anything rather than a $300 to $500 machine brand new. I found my daughter and niece and a friend older Berninas and they sew wonderful. I also love the Featherweight. The downside to a FW is only does a straight stitch. Check Craig's list, the thrift stores and garage sales. Hope you find what you are looking for soon.

Walmart has decent machines made by Brother, if that is your budget. Brother caters to the hardcore sewers, with rugged machines that take a lot of use. I have a Walmart machine purchased in 2002 that works as well as the day I bought it. It has made lots of garments., toys, quilts, wedding dresses, etc., and never been in the shop! Good Luck!

Hi I agree whole heartedly with buying the brothers machine!! I would have bought a brothers rather than a babylock had I known how great the brother machine was and how much I could have saved!!

I agree with madamekelly