Who sews?

My best friend started sewing this year and she bought the Project Runway machine by Brother. She seems to be very happy with it. It runs around $175.

I'm a hobbyist like you. I have an older than dirt Brother machine that my mom bought when I was in middle school about 25 years ago. It still functions fine, but only has straight and zigzag stitches. I'm a huge fan of the Brother company.

before I even clicked on your links I was going to suggest Brother. I've had 2 of them in the past 25 years and they have been wonderful sewing machines! well worth the money. the engines are strong and can handle denim and canvas easily but still be gentle and precise with delicate fabrics. my vote is Brother.

I prefer Brother. My Grandma had a Brother that ran for years and years. I would've gotten it but my uncle decided someone else should get all of my grandma's crafting stuff. That sucker was heavy.

I'd buy a used machine for sure. And if you just do basic straight stitch sewing, I'd look at a vintage Singer featherweight (hard, but not impossible to find in that price bracket). They sew beautifully, are pretty to look at, and are one of the few machines that will increase in value even while working hard for you. If that's not your cup of tea, I'd look at 15-25 year old high-end machines like Viking, Bernina, Pfaff. Find a reputable repair shop near you -- they often will have trade-ins that have been serviced to be in perfect running condition and a great value. Cheap machines like the singers and brothers you'll find on Amazon or at Costco are almost disposable, and frustrations with a poor machine are probably the largest cause of abandoned projects. It's worth it to find a reliable and well made machine.

Look for a used machine and pay a little more. You will be happy you did.

Mine was about $300. A Janome that was a couple of years old. It originally retailed for over $1K. Works wonderfully!

A babylock 9 with cost about $250 and is metal.

Definitely look at Elna/Janome even if you have to go used. Many people buy and then never use them. Check local for sale listings and any sewing machine/vacuum store that takes trade-ins....

I have the 6004 from 17+ years ago and it still runs like a dream.

The bolded part is mine.  Time after time when people say they can't sew, that it's just too frustrating, that it's a hassle, it's because their machine isn't performing well.  And 9 times out of 10, it sounds like a tension problem.

I'd save up so that you have at least $500 and I'd go the used route.  Find a shop in your area (may be easier said than done with so many small businesses going under) and ask what they have for trade ins.  Then try to talk to the repair person.  I've also seen some great deals on Craigslist, but you will need to do the research on your own.  

I have a 25 year old Singer that was one of the first electronic machines out there.  It's been a work horse, but it's showing it's age now.  I just had all the gears replaced after one broke.  But the problem is that even at that age, the gears are plastic.  The shafts are metal, but the gears themselves are plastic and have become brittle after all these years--even the replacement gears are still 20 years old.  It's a trade off--do you want the ease and convenience of the newer technology or do you want it to sew over thick seams.  I've been looking at machines in the $2,000 range and even those have plastic innards.  More money isn't always the answer, but I think for $200 you aren't going to get much more than what you currently have.

ETA:  I LOVE my Featherweight.  But it doesn't zig zag and if it's your only machine, I think you need some sort of overcast stitch.  And mine was well over $200 anyway...

Well I'm a Bernina fan - I've had my current machine since 1986 and it's still going strong. I just paid $80 to replace the capacitor and think it'll last me the rest of my sewing life.

I'd go to a dealer as well and see which machines they recommend. If you pay a little more and get something that's well made and reliable, it'll be worth it in the long run.

I have a Brother that I bought in 1980. 
I used to make clothes/decorations/window treatments, etc.
Now I just use it mostly for mending.
It does buttonholes and a few of the "fancier" stitches.
It still works fine. 

Plus it's the only one I know how to thread.  They are just a pain to get everything just right so the tension is right.  (at least is "used" to be that way).

But OMG it weighs a TON!!

Do sewing machines still weigh a ton or are they light because of more plastic? 

I looked on Craigs list in our area and there were several featherweights for $300 obo. I really think they are a wonderful machine. They are a repairman's dream, parts area generally cheap and easy to come by, and they are just great workhorse machines. Plus they are pretty. I also sometimes suggest a vintage Singer like a model 66-- sweet set up in the bentwood case. A great machine, simple, mechanical, and built to last -- those you can also find in the $250 to $400 range for a reconditioned machine.

The only thing to be aware of is that some of the parts for these older machines are difficult or even impossible to come by these days. I have a Bernina that is around that vintage that I got from my aunt. It had served me well for many years, but the foot pedal has some lag now and that part isn't available anywhere at any price. It was a great machine and I would have loved to keep it running, but no third party makes an aftermarket foot pedal for it so I was out of luck.

I don't think you're going to get much with that budget. I ended up buying a new Janome from a local dealer after doing a lot of research online. I might have paid a little more buying local, but it was worth it to me to have a local resource to go to if I ever have problems.

Just be aware that many of the machines made for Walmart, JoAnn's, Amazon, etc are different from machines made for a sewing store.  They are made to be cheap and disposable.  I realize price is an issue for many, but those machines aren't made to stand up to heavy use.