I am teaching 2 young girls in our neighborhood how to sew. I tried several machines, and settled on the Janome 8077. It had 3 features that I thought were really important: an adjustable speed (a VERY important feature that was missing on the less expensive Janomes), a drop-in bobbin, and a start/stop button (so they don't have to use the foot control). Coincidentally, the machine also has loads of stitches and I can take it to quilting classes with me much more easily than I can take either of my ultra-heavy Berninas. It's not really cheap, but it is often on sale at Hancock's. I have been extremely pleased with it so far.