I use Singer so my mom, grand ma. or you can use Brother just for sewing. But for the cross stitch you can buy embroidery special machine. That is my opinion. Good luck.

BERMUDA -- I have a machine that I paid big bucks for forty years ago. If I had to replace it I would go for KISS (Keep It Simple Silly -- you can use a different adjective that starts with S if you want)

There are plenty of good values for a basic machine under $150.00, even under $100.00.

Features that you should consider should include

Simple threading of the machine
Automatic needle threader
Free arm option -- makes sewing smaller items easier
Ease of bobbin winding
Does it need needles or bobbins unique to that specific machine?

Less expensive machines may have plastic casing instead of metal.

There are lots of places that you can buy a machine -- Online, Target, Costco, K-Mart or even that other Mart that starts with. At all these places you pick a box off the shelf, pay for it, take it home and set it up. Then you hope that you can figure out how to use it.

I recommend that you go to a place like JoAnn's where they have staff that is there to sell the machines. That way you can try the machine out and have a place to go for advice when you have a problem.

I have a special table for my sewing machine. Once you decide on what model machine you want; the sales person will probably suggest you buy it. I recommend it.

Just think. Now you can start a fabric stash!

By the way, you cannot do cross stitch on a sewing machine. The embroidery machine sewing is a whole different ballgame. That is a very expensive hobby.

I am assuming that when you talk about cross stitch pillows and ornaments you mean stitching them together after they are cross stitched and not doing the cross stitching on the machine. That is not possible. Like Nancye G says one of the sewing machines that does fancy embroidery stitches is quite expensive.

I have 2 sewing machines. My older one is a Sears Kenmore which I have had for 30 years and it is a basic sewing machine with a few zigzag stitches. I love it. Sears machines were made by Singer many years ago, but don't know if they still are. My newer machine is a White Quilter's Star which I bought about 8 years ago when I took up quilting. It is also a basic machine but has a lot more zigzag and decorative stitches. I bought it at JoAnn Fabrics for about $500. I know you can buy simpler basic machines for less there also.

All of the things that Nancye G mentioned to look for are very good ideas. My machines have all of them and they both have metal not plastic cases. If you are new to purchasing a sewing machine be sure to go to a store where there is someone who knows about them and can help and demonstrate it for you.

Good luck with your shopping.

SYAGEL - I was definitely going on the assumption that she was planning on sewing pillows using her finished cross stitches projects. Guess I expected everyone to be using their ESP.

Just don't let any salesperson try to talk you into buying a machine with all the balls and whistles on it if you know you will never us it for anything other than basic sewing. I learned on a Singer in junior high. But my mom owned a machine that was used in apparel factories. In Home Ec. class we started with the basics and then graduated to zippers, collars, and sleeves. Once I had learned that I was allowed to use the factory machine. I wish I had the room for one like that! But the first machine I bought was a Singer, now I have a Brother. Both are good machines. They all come with manuals that will show you how to thread the machine, wind bobbins and adjust the tension. Even the inexpensive machines will do a stretch stitch and zigzag beside the basic straight stitch. So check them out and buy the machine that YOU like and do not allow a salesperson talk you into a more expensive machine that you know you will only use occasionally.

I learned to sew on a Singer in junior high. But my mom owned a machine that was used in apparel factories. In Home Ec. class we started with the basics and then graduated to zippers, collars, and sleeves. Once I had learned that I was allowed to use the factory machine. I wish I had the room for one like that! But the first machine I bought was a Singer, now I have a Brother. Both are good machines. They all come with manuals that will show you how to thread the machine, wind bobbins and adjust the tension. Even the inexpensive machines will do a stretch stitch and zigzag beside the basic straight stitch. So check them out and buy the machine that YOU like and do not allow a salesperson talk you into a more expensive machine that you know you will only use occasionally.

AMEN to that

I had a Bernina for 30+ years. Got so I couldn't hoist all that weight. Got a Brother on line that meets most of Nancye's criteria. Has a threading gizmo. Has a few pattern stitches, which I ignore. Brother XL 3750, but there are many models. Jo Ann online had this one at a sale price.

Had a little Janome mending machine, too.only did straight. Nice company, & you can get "Hello Kitty" models.