<p>Check out the Janome machines online. These are the most affordable, best designed machines, imo. Janome made machines are also sold through Sears with the Kenmore brand on them. I got a really excellent deal on my computerized machine by buying it as a Kenmore on sale at Sears.</p>
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<p>I noticed they no longer include a needle threader standard on their lowest priced machines, and I would definitely get one that has that feature. Janome has a whole bunch of models to choose from, and I have had excellent experiences with every Janome I have had a chance to use, including bare bones basic models, deluxe versions, and especially the 3 that I own and use a LOT. I would get a Janome with a needle threader and a one step buttonholer (you just pop the button you are using into the back of the foot, and it automatically calibrates and sews the perfect sized buttonhole), although the 4 step buttonholer is also pretty darn easy to use. </p>
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<p>Personally, I would choose the machine that offers the most stitches that I could afford, but I tend to use many of those stitches regularly. I have heard a lot of people say they don't use the "fancy" stitches much at all...those sorts of sewists will be just fine with a machine that only does straight and zig zag (and stretch, I would think that everyone would need at least one stretch stitch).</p>
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<p>If you get a well designed machine with user friendly features, you will sew more and love sewing more. If you get something like a Brother (for the same money), you might scream and cry and hate sewing!</p>
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<p>There is more about these machines on my blog (click my user name), and also more in the archives on this forum....people ask for machine recs here all the time and the concensus seems to be Janome...you might want to see what others have said in similar threads.</p>
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<p>Good luck!</p>