Hi,
The features I'd recommend to look for in a sewing maching are the ability to sew in reverse and in zig-zag stitches. If the machine is newer, it's also great if it can sew in place without moving the fabric forward. This is especially handy for sewing on buttons like in this video.
Very old machines still work great but don't have the ability to sew in reverse. The reverse is handy for backstitching to stop your seams from unraveling at the beginning or end.
Check to see if the bobbins that the machine needs are easy to get. They probably are, but I have an old Japanese machine that takes bobbins which are not readily available, and finding them was a pain.
Good luck!
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