Thanks, everyone, for the advice.

There are 2 Janomes that are lightweight and good to take to classes. The Janome Jem Platinum 720, which has basic stitches and weighs 12 lbs., and the Janome Jem 760, which has basic and lots of additional stitches and weighs 12 lbs. I take my 760 with me on the airplane when I visit my son.

My cheapo brothers have been doing a bang up job for me for the past decade of sewing, they sew the same 1/4 inch as my TOL Brother and do it just as well

I use the Viking HClass to take to class.

1/4" isn't always a 1/4". Using different machines can effect your end results.

OK, for taking classes, I usually only do a working piece ... one that doesn't have to grow or anything. I can donate it to my quilt guild as a charity quilt or something for our annual action.

I prefer to use my FW for classes. Then I either finish the project on my FW. Or I make something new on my home machine.

I would do the 1/4" seam test for all machines I own. I found that I needed to adjust my needed position to get a tre 1/4" seam ....even with using a 1/4" seing foot. Made such a huge difference on my blocks once i did.

Sandy