Hey, thank you so much! I'm going to browse that site!

I just got the Brother PE 500 from Amazon for 299. an embroidery only machine and my sister just got the Brother CS6000I for 160. from Amazon, this is a very cool machine for the price. She just wanted it for basic stuff like you do. I got the embroidery only machine so I could let it do its thing while I sewed on my regular machine. Good luck.

I got a Viking Emerald 126 (basic model) for about $300, for a little more you should be able to get a higher model that maybe has some embrodery features. I love the Viking because all I have to do is turn it on, it's ready to go! I've had it a little over a year now and no problems with it!

I like Brother machines and they are inexpensive compared to some of the machines. I have had Singer (which I used to swear by-but their machines aren't like the older ones, unfortunately), Kenmore, Riccar and now I have Brother machines which I have had for 15-20 years and swear by them. I am even looking at Babylock for a machine (which is the younger sibling to Brother).

Have you thought of buying a "gently used" better quality machine, like a Bernina, Pfaff, Husqvarna, Brother or Janome. If you have any dealers in your area go look and try their machines. I would steer away from any machines sold in a store where you can't try it before you buy it.

if you want a new machine
 

if you want a reasonably good machine go to amazon.com and look at there singer futura embroidery machine,,you have to have a computer to hook up to it,,i bought it,it was only 589.00 and you can embroider and sew,,,,it is a good machine for the money and a large throat area

I have Janome, would never buy any other make.

I'll admit I'm dumb, but what is KWIM? Inquiring minds wanna know!

Latrinka, KWIM is "Know What I Mean?" (I think!)

kensington, I think the suggestion to get two machines is a really good one -- especially with your price range. I have heard really good things about standalone embroidery machines (check out all the Brother embroidery machines at the $300 or so price point), and it's nice to have one machine for embroidery and one for other sewing tasks. It takes awhile for an embroidery machine to sew out a pattern so, while you are waiting, you can be piecing on the other machine. These are great beginner machines for embroidery.

Edit: I think the Brother embroidery machines use PES files. For another $100 you can purchase the PED software so you can download designs from the net.

The latest issue of Quiltmaker has a wonderful chart comparing sewing machines their features and price.