A lot of people make the mistake of buying a cheaper or lower quality sewing machine because they are beginners and then they find they don't sew very well and have all sorts of problems, they then feel that it is their fault. So ... my advice to you would be to buy a second hand Bernina if you can find one, although they are not all that lightweight, failing that an Elna would be good. You will find you can sew over pins and it copes with anything. Good luck