What is the best name and model sewing machine ?

In the price range of $300 or less, what is the best sewing machine to buy? Brand name and model specific please. It would be used to create designed stitches, and would like to make button holes but not a must have.

What is the best name and model sewing machine ?
"create designed stitches" is not a phrase I really understand.... are you trying to say that it needs to do embroidery? Or are you saying you need programmable stitch functions? Or are you telling me it will be used for a variety of garments? If you can clarify for me, I'd be happy to try further. Otherwise, here's my advice for first sewing machines:





http://www.cet.com/~pennys/faq/smfaq.htm





What I want for beginners in sewing:





- a machine that doesn't scare you


- a machine that isn't balky (cheap new machines are often very


balky or need adjustments often and are rarely repairable --


just too frustrating to learn on!)


- very good straight stitch


- good zigzag (4-5 mm is fine, more than that is gravy)


- a method of making buttonholes that makes sense to you


- adjustable presser foot pressure (which helps some fabric


handling issues)


- accessory presser feet that don't cost an arm and a leg


(machines that use a "short shank foot" typically handle


generic presser feet pretty well. Some brands of machines use


proprietary or very expensive presser feet)





If the budget stretches far enough:





- blindhem and stretch blindhem stitches


- triple zigzag (nice for elastic applications)


- a couple of decorative stitches (you won't use them nearly as


much as you think)


- electronic machine because of the needle position control and


because the stepper motors give you full "punching force" at


slow sewing speeds -- mechanical machines often will stall at


slow speeds.








Please go to the best sewing machine dealers around and ask them


to show you some machines in your price range, *especially* used


machines you can afford. You'll get a far better machine buying


used than new, and a good dealer is worth their weight in sewing


machine needles when you get a machine problem -- often they can


talk you through the problem over the phone. While you're trying


things out, try a couple of machines (sewing only, not combo


sewing-embroidery) over your price limit, just so you can see


what the difference in stitch quality and ease of use might be.


You may find you want to go for the used Cadillac. Or you might


want the new basic Chevy. Might as well try both out.





Suggested reading: John Giordano's The Sewing Machine Book


(especially for used machines), Carol Ahles' Fine Machine Sewing


(especially the first and last few chapters) and Gale Grigg


Hazen's Owner's Guide to Sewing Machines, Sergers and Knitting


Machines. All of these are likely to be available at your public


library.





Used brands I'd particularly look for: Elna, Bernina,


Viking/Husqvarna, Pfaff, Singer (pre 1970), Juki, Toyota





New "bargain brand" I'd probably pick: Janome (who also does


Kenmore).
Reply:We bought my 14 year old daughter a Husqvarna Emerald 116 for around $300 at The Stitching Post inside JoAnn Fabrics for her birthday. It came with a TWO year warranty and free lessons. The sales lady said my daughter should easily get ten years use out of it before she'll need to upgrade to something more advanced as it's simple enough for a beginner, yet enough options to keep her intersted without confusing her.


The Singer, which was about $100 less, had plastic gears and only came with a 30 day warranty. She said people come back with 'buyers remorse' and get the Husky