I bought a Brother C-6000 at Walmart for about $200 just for a backup and it works great. It is computerized--has lots of stitches, all the accessories come with it and I am very impressed with it. This sounds like it could fit your needs provided you wouldn't be doing like very heavy duty types of sewing. Best of luck in your search.

Geri

Check out the machines at Sears. They sell Kenmore and are reasonably priced. I taught sewing for years and a lot of the girls used them and they were a good general machine.

Also try your local sewing machine stores. You may be able to find a higher priced machine that was traded in for a good price.

Bonnie

Thanks, gerizone. I'll look at the Brother you mentioned.

Bonnie, thank you for your input. However, after the experience I had with my old Kenmore machine, I think I'll try a different brand.

Check at a Viking dealer for used machines that were traded in on an upgrade.

Janome has an electronic machine in that price range.

In fact, I imagine most of the Big Name manufacturers have electronic machines in that price range. Check Pfaff, too.

I'd try them out at the dealers. Sometimes there are features about a particular brand that just don't work for you, for example, the reverse sew switch is in a place that's inconvenient for you, or the sewing machine head is so large that it obscures your vision.

The best way to check this out is to test drive the machines. Bring samples with you that are the types of things you usually sew.

Happy hunting!

CMC

The brother that I bought from Wally as a back up fell apart after 2 years. I had only sewed buttonholes on it. Now the high end brother embroidery machine is fine, I bought one used for a 1/4th of the original price. I think their lower end machines may be made by somebody else and the brother name is just stuck on them.
I also recommend looking for a good used machine.
Susan

I just bought a Brother CS-6000i in January at walmart for $200.00. Before that, I sewed on Kenmores. I love this new machine, and have made several quilts and done lots of smaller projects on it. The ONLY complaint is that it will not sew through very heavy fabric layers...like denim with a 1/4 seam allowance turned under twice. Or through a bed sheet that had seam allowances turned under. But, I don't usually sew those things. I did find that if I turned the flywheel by hand to get through the bulk, I could then sew it.

This machine may be enough for what you want. I has a little lever that pulls the thread through the needle, it SEWS BY ITSELF (you don't have to use the foot peddle, just push a button) it makes button holes by itself while you get a cup of coffee. It has lots of other stitches that are decorative...but not a lot of embroidery type stitches. It is lightweight. And the computer screen tells you what foot to use with the stitch you choose.

Now that I am quilting, I would look for a machine that has different capabilities that are more suited to quilting, but I give this machine a thumbs up for basic sewing. Durability? I don't know....time will tell. But as far as I'm concerned, I've already gotten my $200 worth out of it.

Good luck in your search!
Woodsy

I love Babylock and they do have a nice machine in that price range (I think it's called the decorators choice or maybe the crafters choice?) But if you are ok with used, the Ellure's that sold for $999 just a couple of years ago are going for around $400 to $500 now. They're a fabulous machine and you would have embroidery capability as well. I loved mine so much! I just sold it through the sewing machine store for $425.

I upgraded to another sewing/embroidery by babylock because I love their products so much. Several of my friends also have them (we all bought when the $999 sale happened). It's a nice step up to an electronic/computerized machine without going broke, and a used one that has been serviced by a pro will serve you far better than a new wallyworld brother (I had one and gave it away to someone I didn't care for since I wouldn't give one of those to a friend). I hated it!

I received a Kenmore quilting sewing machine from my daughter for Christmas 2 years ago. I believe Janome is making the Kenmore's now. Anyway, I bought a 3 year extended warrantee, so every 6 months I send it in for cleaning and adjusting. I love it. I sew charity quilts by the ton and really work the machine to death. That warrantee is wonderful. My local dealer charges $75. to clean and adjust a machine so I saved a ton of money.

By the way, a good friend spent $2,000. for a good retirement sewing machine. The last two years is had been down more than sewing and a "board" is $200. Wow

What model Kenmore do you have? I wouldn't give up on that machine yet. Janome has always made Kenmore machines. I have a 19365 with excellent buttonholes I love to sew with and sewed on a Lady Kenmore for years.

From your description, it sounds like sewing technique and starting a seam is your basic problem, hemming/repairing jeans gives everyone fits if you don't properly prepare and take your time, and we all break needles.

That said, you will probably have the same problems no matter what machine you buy until you get some sewing lessons and book reading done on technique. I have a suspicion you are self-taught with bad sewing habits developed not knowing any different.

I also have the Brother 6000 from Walmart and LOVE it. Have had it for two years...NO problems. Paid $188 I think. I cannot say enough about it. Tons and tons of stitches. Sews by itself! Very quiet. Never have problems with bobbin like I did on THREE other regular machines I have. I would highly recommend this machine.