I'll just second the craigslist idea. Lots of machines on there. I have 0 experience so I don't know if a cheap machine (say from Walmart) would fit the bill. I'm in the process of adopting a Brother xr6060 which retails for about 120-140 (check overstock.com it's where she got it) from a friend. It's not metal but it has a lot of pretty stitches (60 of em!) I think it's a nice machine and reliable. Other then that fish out a 66 or 99 singer (but I don't think those have reverse?? I'm not sure im new at this) I'm sure the quilting experts will have more to say!
post a picture of your machine please!