About 10 years ago was in your same place. My daughter and I bought mechanical Kenmores for under $200. Of course I loved quilting and now have 2 Pfaffs, a Viking and... the Kenmore... The Kenmore still sews strong and is a great machine for teaching the younger ones how to sew. They can concentrate on their sewing and don't have to fiddle around with the machine. So don't forget Kenmores.