You could givr her a homemade gift certificate for the $400. that way she knows what her budget is. I personally would want to pick out my own machine. Yes, you can get a good used machine. I'm not familiar with your area, but I'm sure somebody on here can give you a recomendation for someplace close.
Susan in Alabama

I like your idea Susan - when you do choose a store ask them if they will take the machine back in a few years should your lady friend want to upgrade to a machine that does more...you know about getting a place with good service and some introduction lessons....even with a used machine you should get them. Explain to the salesperson what you want the machine to do and how much you will spend.....that will put them into the picture and let them show you what is on offer. My MIL's Kenmore is an old black baby bought new in 1948/49...and runs like a dream....so I know you don't want something quite that old but that is my only experience with a Kenmore....which can't be beat!

We had a store and when someone wanted to give a gift but didn't want the price to scare the recipient, we would make up a blank gift certificate. Since we knew what the amount was we just worked with the recipient when she/he came in. If you know the store you want to go to maybe they could do something similar.

Dave - What a sweetheart you are for thinking of such a wonderful gift for your girlfriend!

I agree with LoganHogan (Susan)... give GF a homemade gift certificate in a specified amount. If you get a gift certificate from a store, then GF will be tied in to getting the sewing machine ONLY from that store... and it may not be the brand of her choice... but she will be locked in. Seldom are gift certificates redeemable for cash.

And there are great bargains on used machines that have been clean, adjusted, and serviced at machine stores (usually well cared for trade-ins).

Kenmores are made by Janome. I've had two in my sewing history and dearly loved both. I now have a 19365.

The additional benefit of going to a dealer is free lessons on proper machine operation and learning how to sew correctly, vital for any beginner.

I had the benefit of having lessons on machine operation for my "Lady Kenmore" and sewing classes in Home Economics that pay off to this day when it comes to using different machine feet and proper sewing techniques. Sadly Sears no longer offers lessons nor the schools Home Economics. Self-taught sewing is the rough way to learn with bad sewing habits developed and frustration along the way.

However, there are many places that do offer lessons, some free, some not. I would include the lessons in the gift certificate or as a separate gift certificate. I would also include another certificate for the necessary sewing supplies and organizers which can get expensive, especially for good pairs of cutting shears and scissors plus fabric.

The consumer reporter for one of our television stations reported that if you go to the store and ask for a gift receipt, the recipient can return the item for the full amount. This would be a good idea for you should you go decide to buy the machine and she doesn't like what you purchased. I know from experience at some stores that if you return a gift and the purchase was made on a credit card, the return will go back on the purchaser's credit card or a gift certificate for that store issued, you don't get the cash back. I would check the store's return and gift certificate policies first.

If you have not already found one, look at this machine:

Brother NX-200

Computerized Sewing Machine with convenient touch pad operation panel and 50 built-in stitches

The NX-200 puts all the function buttons at your fingertips in one convenient, easy-to-use touch pad operation panel. This computerized sewing machine is feature packed and available at an affordable price. It offers 50 built-in stitches and special features that allow you to sew perfect seams on any weight fabric. The extra-large sewing bed was designed for easy handling of large articles such as bed linens and quilts.

i bought one last christmas when mine died the week before christmas with gifts still to make! my granmother has since bought one and my other grandmother wants one. I think I paif $400.00 for it at a sewing maching shop in GA. The guy did not recommend the Brothers that you et at Walmart, he didn't feel they held up as well. This guy was trained by "the sewing machine guy" that had been around this area for YEARS and I trusted his judgement.

Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: Brother NX-200

Thank you everyone for your comments. I think that I might give her the home made gift certificate, as much as it kills me because I'd really like to have the actual gift for her.

So my next question is kind of back to one of the points of my first post. I'd like to get your opinions on what are the most important features and why? Given that information, do you have any thoughts about what would be the right machine and why?

One of the reasons I'd like to know is that I'd like to be able to help her understand what to buy and questions to think about before we go and pick one out. I've looked at several of the brands that have been mentioned in other posts so I know a little a bit about them, but as someone who hasn't been a sewer, I know that it would be to my own (and her) folly not to ask. I figure, who better to ask than all of you who sew and have for years?

In the end I also want her to know that I actually thought about it and made the effort to get her the right present and didn't just realize on Christmas eve that I didn't have anything and made the gift certificate ;). By the way, if I can find a good shop here, I'd like to include some lessons as well, any suggestions as to how many would be good to get her started? what do lessons generally cost?

Thanks again.

A question very similar to yours was asked just a while ago (see link below) by Confused07 with some very good answers.

I posted this link on that thread... good info that you might want to study.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sewing Machines: Viking or Singer?

Thanks for the info Red_Confetti. I have read that posting and had followed your link earlier. The info on the About.com is good in that it explains a few things and provides some questions. I guess what I'm trying to get at are insights about what features make a difference and why (from people who use them as opposed to marketing material). I understand that it will make a difference depending on what types of things she will be sewing most, but if there are some features that she should really have regardless, I want to make sure we don't leave them out.

I know that everyone is busy around now, so I don't expect anyone to write out detailed, itemized lists (though I'd would glady accept it ;)). I just figured that whatever insights I could get from actual sewers would be a big help.

Thanks again for making the time to help out.