Check out the top of the line USED machines. You will progress rapidly once you start using a machine and see how much it adds to your productivity and you will want more features. With new machines, the cheaper ones have a lot of plastic parts and they don't wear for a long time, sometimes the tension is a nightmare, and they can make for disappointing sewing if they have to make frequent trips to the shop. Make sure you get a manual with any used machine, if there isn't one with the machine when you purchase it they are available on line. Go to a place that lets you try out machines and spend some time trying them out to see what features you like, don't buy the first one you see and hope for the best. If you have a friend who has several machines ask to try them out and have her/him show you what features they use most and tell you how they use them. Good luck and happy sewing!