I have a Brother CE-5000 PRW that I purchased at Walmart for around $125.00. It's light to haul around to classes etc. but has everything a quilter could want. I've taken it to "Free Motion" classes, Beginning Quilting classes , sewing classes and many other things and it has stood up well. It is a computerized machine that came with many attachment and the capabilities to do many types of stiches. I would recommend this machine to anyone. I just love it.

Bernina just came out with a little machine that would work. I think it might be in your price range. Also, check out Overstocked.com. They have some absolutely awesome deals on refurbished machines of many different brands, come with full warranty. DH just got me a little Brother CE4000 for $89 (to use while my Bernina is embroidering) and it really is a nice little machine, has 30 stitches, some 7mm. Shipping is always $2.95.

Good luck.

I bought a Baby Lock Audrey for taking to classes and traveling. I've been very pleased with it.

The RunWay by Brother.

Light weight and portable, it has extra stitches, just a nice little reasonable priced machine. Mine has the needle down function also.

Wal-mart just came out with the newest edition and had the older model for $109.00.

Look at resale shops for a good working machine

just remember that if you start a project in class with one machine you may need to continue making the project with the same machine when you get home. Machines must be reset to get consistent seam allowances. So if you start on one make sure the other is adjusted to get correct and consistence seams.

I got my singer confidence quilter for $300 on sale (which they go on sale a lot) but the Singer confidence one step down was around $200. I've also seen the singer confidence quilter for under $300. Just have to keep your eyes open and see what is on the market at the time you are ready. Let us know what you pick up. :-D

I would go with a Baby Lock for class work. I currently use a Janome D2010 at home.

I was thinking a Janome too, they make a little one that is very light weight. It would be perfect to take to classes. They don't cost that much, found them at Hancocks and they were very reasonably priced, under $200. I hadn't had my feather weight already that would be the way I would go. I love my featherweight.

Rita

I bought a Kenmore at Sears for $199 (you can buy cheaper) and, once I got used to it, have been pleased with it. I needed a case for it so I used my coupon at Joann's and picked up one of those soft-sided containers on wheels (sort of like luggage). It's a multi-use item either for crafting or sewing, etc. but a sewing machine fits in perfectly, plus leaves room for tools, thread, etc. around the sides of the machine and in the outside pockets.