My sewing machine is a Necchi and it's served me well. I've used it for clothing repairs and alterations. For those rare times when I need a pannier repair or work done on heavy fabric, I prefer to get in touch with a friend who used to run a shoe repair business. He has the specialized equipment for these kinds of jobs and he's good at what he does.

Whether you buy new or used, start by going to a sewing machine shop and asking a lot of questions. This will give you an idea of what's available and what prices you can expect to pay. If the sales person tells you about a special feature, ask what it means and why you'll need it.

You could also get in touch with the home economics teacher at your local high school. He or she will know about good basic equipment and may even be able to help you find a deal.

Stay away from the machines with a lot of fancy features. You'll pay a lot more for things you'll seldom if ever need.