Info on light weight sewing machine that sews the same as my keep-home one
 

I want to get a light weight sewing machine that I can take to class & sew the same as my sewing
machine at home. I've heard that sewing seams on different machines can cause problems in
constructing a quilt. What about this? I have an older Pfaff & love it, but hate carrying it to classes.
Thanks for any helpful info. because I want to buy a take-to-class machine.

I would think all machines could sew the same seam, if you had it set the same as the one at home. A 1/4"seam is a 1/4" seam. Just my opinion.
Can't help with your question. My machines are heavy and I don't take them anywhere but for service. If and when they need it.

Needles, I have a light weight Brother that I carry around. As a matter of fact ,I'm at my DD now & have it. Already today a friend of hers was eyeing it. I just looked all over it for the model but don't see it. I think its a 700XR or similar. I got it on Overstock. Its reconditioned, but computerized with 70 stitches. It only weighs about 7 lbs or less. I've had it about 5 years and never had a problem with it.
as to the seam allowance, yes it can be different with each machine, etc. I found a neat gadget at LQS called Perfect Piecing Seam Guide--don't leave home without it! Its from www.perkinsdrygoods.com
i use more than one machine on most of my projects & this little yellow plastic thing has made a world of difference
good luck on finding your machine

I agree: 1/4" is a /4". If you like older machines, a straight stitch Singer 301 is a GREAT machine and fairly light. Of course, there is the Featherweight which is essentially (I think) a half size machine. Usually kinda pricey though.

KathyB
Sharon,WI

Me too, I agree that 1/4" is 1/4" and a scant 1/4" is a scant 1/4" the world over.

I think that what's happening is that some patterns can be sewn with any seam allowance, as long as it's consistent. (Log cabin is an example. Likewise 9-patch, 4-patch, etc.) The resulting blocks will only be exactly the right size if the seams are a scant 1/4", but it's okay if they're all a little smaller or a little larger, as long as they're consistently the same. For this reason, some people will tell you that you need to finish a project on the machine on which you start it. If you learn to sew a consistent scant 1/4" seam, you can sew on any machine. You will have to measure and adjust for each machine until you get it right, but the result is worth the effort.

i have a very nice Janome that only weighs 12 pounds- it is a great machine- with plenty of stitches & lightweight enough to (haul) around. i think lots of machine brands have a lightweight model these days- check your local quilt shop, dealers, joannes, even walmart---ask what others in classes/guilds are using locally- i love my janome. :)

The perfect piecing seam guide is great! Good luck with your machine hunt.

Janome Gem 760 is perfect small/light machine for taking to classes!!!:thumbup:

please tell us the model of the light weight Janome.

I agree with a couple of the other about the small Janome being great for travel. I'd suggest that to save money on feet, etc, you check and see if Pfaff has a small travel machine - that way you should be able to use feet from your current machine on your new one, but take one in to check it out. I know that Viking has a new 15 lb machine, so I'm guessing that Pfaff also has one as well since they're owned by the same umbrella company.

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