Singer should be the best brand, brother is cheaper.
I am sure that there are probably other types of sewing machines but Brother makes a small machine a SE270D that is bother a sewing machine and a small embroidery machine also. I bought one at Walmart for about $350.00 about 2 years ago and they also...
I would not recommend a portable mini, especially if you want to learn to sew a variety of things. The mini's have limited functions and you're probably going to get bored of it soon, unless all you intend to sew are simple straight lines. Also, port...