Daughter in law wants sewing machine-- says she used to sew.

That really depends on so much. Do you have any idea what she wants to sew? Clothing, crafts, home dec. Or is she interested in a machine that does embroidery as well?

What is your budget for the machine? Once we know more of what you are looking for, we can give you better assistance. There are several threads here that discuss sewing machines. Try to pull those up and get an idea of what is out there.

I bought my niece (for her birthday - she turned 7 in July) the non-quilt version of THIS machine. When she got it I was jealous because it's way nicer than my singer from 16 years ago. Honestly I don't think your DIL needs a $400 machine to get started (again) sewing. I've had my basic singer for that long and while I'd love to have the newer one... the 16 year old one still works fine and fits my sewing needs. I would go with the brother if your budget is $100 or less.

Oh, I thought you meant she wants your sewing machine.

My son suggested to me that DIL might like my $3000 Bernina (yeah, I know, I got it at a deep discount because I worked in the industry) if I’m not using it anymore.

That would be a big fat NO.

Meanwhile I can't get a single one of the kids from the younger generation interested in sewing/quilting so that I can dump  leave my machines/fabric to!  

I got this one two years ago and it's been a great machine. It comes with a lot of accessories, including a walking foot. 

I know that a lot of people will say to get the highest quality machine you can afford, but honestly I wanted to have a lot more sewing experience before I made that decision. I wouldn't buy something high end for someone else without their input either.

Yup.

what they said. The $300+ range is significantly better than the $100-$200ish price range. A local dealer makes a world of difference. They tend to throw in things like free classes as well.

I'm really happy to see this thread today. I've been thinking of a beginning sewing machine for myself. The only sewing I've ever done was in Home Ec. and I used to hand sew doll clothes for my dolls. 

I'm tired of paying the tailor just to hem a pair of pants or to hem a shirt because of my petite frame. It's getting expensive. That and I have a whole wooden trunk and more of clothes that no longer fit (since I lost weight) but are great quality with great labels. I was going to sell them on Ebay but that's such a hassle these days-much more than it was years ago. I got to thinking maybe I could learn to alter them to fit my smaller frame. I think shirts would be the easiest. I even found a class taught by a seamstress on how to alter clothes. 

Thanks to this thread today I've now got some ideas on which machines to look for. Right now just by looking at some of your suggestions I'm looking at a Janome 2212. Reading through the reviews on Amazon I've learned not to buy it through them because it nulls the 25 year warranty and the advice to buy from a local shop makes a lot of sense to me. The Janome 2212 has features that I want and it has a lot of positive reviews on Amazon. It can get through heavier fabrics like denim according to the reviews. 

I think knowing your budget would be helpful for suggestions. As others stated it would also be handy if you could find out what she plans to do with it. There are so many variables. I had a Babylock years ago that I loved, until my then boys sent it crashing to the floor. My Dad bought me a machine from Sears that was the most basic of models. I was grateful, very appreciative of the gesture but I will say that it was the worst machine I ever sewed on, loud, just very clumsy. I hated to touch it. I came across a 75% off Shark brand at Target that was actually not bad, at least for me. A couple of years ago I seriously upgraded my machine, with plenty of helpful suggestions form this group. I have an Elna which was designed with quilting in mind but I also use it for apparel, just not as easy when doing cuffs. Janome is the sister company of Elna and they make some very decent machines.

Good luck. There are so many choices but each serves a little bit different purpose.

This makes me want to buy another.

www.american-sewing.com/balobl99stse.html

My dd sews with a lady who teaches French Hand Sewing - following Sarah Howard Stone. It is just like Debbie Macomber's Blossom Street and the Quilting Book series by Jennifer somebody without all the drama She has Brother machines for use at her shop, the Brother sells at COSTCO for $199 on sale. Many of the women will buy them, because hey know how to use them. My GF who is a beginning sewer bought one and has had no trouble. We have one local Bernina shop and they are not very helpful. I sew on a vintage Pfaff and DD sews on a vintage Bernina.

If she has had experience sewing in the past, that knowledge doesn’t just disappear. It’s like riding a bike, you might be a little rusty but you remember. I didn’t really sew more than the occasional hem, etc. for several years, but when I jumped back in four years ago it was like I never stopped.  

I agree that you won’t even get a decent basic machine for under $300. The cheaper ones have a lot more plastic parts and they just don’t hold up as well or for as long. I’d look for an older Bernina or a Janome since a lot of the other brands have gone down in quality in recent years.

The babylock 9 is a simple machine and is made of metal parts. Babylock is the the high end of brother.

I bought my mother a top of the line Singer 58 years ago. It cost $359.00, she was upset that I had paid that much. I had it repaired years ago and it has never been the same. I would love for it to work again, but there is no one to fix it. It died I gave up. At my age I do not care if I have to buy another machine if the one I bought last week dies. I am not doing anything spectacular or special. Making a few curtains for my new apartment. I learned to sew on a treadle that my grandfather electrified for my grandmother, which my mother used until I bought her the new one.