Personally, as a Sewasaurus Rex of a weird Beginner-Intermediate-Advanced level (I appear to have or be able to find all the necessary knowledge and skill to sew a corset, but I still haven't done a single proper, neat buttonhole on my machine): I'm of the opinion that there's no point in investing in a machine if it isn't strong enough to sew denim/other pants and jackets materials. Which a small cheap machine you presumably can justify for occasional repairs would not be. But I've got to admit, hand-hemming my full pleated skirts would really be a pain in the neck.