I'm a newbie!

congradulations that you are learning to sew it is a very rewarding hobby to dedicate yourself to when buying a sewing a sewing machine the concept of "you get what you pay for" strongly applies i bought two of the cheap little minature fifteen dollar sewing machines from walmart and neither of them worked i think it is definitely good do your research on all the different sewing machines i am still looking for a good one for myself but they are just so expensive

i have one but it cannot use to sew. just a very cute sewing model~^_^

I have a Kennmore. I brought it on Ebay for $99.00 about 4 years ago, and it works fine no problem.

I have just recently purchased a Brother sewing machine. It was only about $160 and I really like sewing with it. I have been sewing for about 30 years. This is one the nicest machines I have owned.

I have a beautiful Janome that I got for about $300AU, I don't know if you can get them where you live? But they're good machines, very reliable. My mother had a Singer one for a long time, and she still has it - the tension's a bit strange on it now but otherwise it's still good. Sewing machines (unlike most other things) are built to last.

I'd check out the local sewing machine shops for machines that have been traded in. Also I have found alot of great sewing machines at the various thrift shops for under $75. Yard sales are also great sources of sewing machines. Since your Mom knows how to sew, she can help you with the machine you get.