the big purchase

[dearanxiety.livejournal.com]

i am playing around on ebay and i think i'm really ready to purchase a sewing machine. but i'm a novice and i have no idea what i want or need or what is a good deal and what is a rip-off. any advice?

i'll be using it for small crafts projects, mostly clothing alterations and such. nothing too heavy-duty. i'd like to spend as little as possible on something that'll do what i need it to do and do it well, if that makes sense.

ideas? advice? recommendations? things to avoid?

if you've played on ebay i'd love your opinions on some of the ones on there...what's good and bad about them.

thank you so much!