My New Ironing Board and Machine Suggestions

Sorry, I hit the wrong button and (zoom!) off went the title!

My new ironing board is lovely.  Not flashy or standoffish, it is friendly and cute.  I am thinking it needs a bright basket like I made last year for everyone for Christmas.  Yes.  And we can have a tutorial if I can find the original post.

My nephew, Jason,  texted birthday wishes last night from Phoenix.  He asked what I had gotten.  He was sympathetic when he read it was an ironing board.  I had to tell him that it was a WONDERFUL gift that only a quilter would appreciate!

Today, I am thinking that I need to work on the Southwest Quilt and get it finished and off the frame.  That means I will have to play with the tension a bit.  Maybe longer than a bit.

And I have decided what I need.  A man on the side who loves to dabble in sewing machines........

Oh, and I may be in the market for a nice $200-400 sewing machine that sews nicely when piecing but has a few bells and whistles like needle up/down, feed dogs down, free motion capability, maybe some stitches ( I would LOVE one of the wavy straight lines that so many of the modern quilters are using.)

I think my $79 Runway Edition Brother is having some problems with the tension setting and it would cost me more than that to have Ray look at it.

I want this second machine to be the one that totes to classes, retreats, sew days and RedStick Days.  That leaves the $2700 machine at home and safe from bumps and bobbles.

What are your best and favorite machines?