My time

In Canada you cannot buy a FW for $100, and her question is regarding an AFFORDABLE light weight machine.

Redsquirrel

Featherweight all the way. Don't have to worry about anything getting busted. They work and they have a nice stitch. That and its fun to get all the ladies coming over to look at it and compliment you on your machine. It just feels good.

Redsquirrel

And I found mine in Calgary for $50 at a thriftstore. I've seen them for as low as $150 on Kijiji.

Suziuki

I have a Janome Memory Craft 3500 which is a little too heavy to travel with, so bought a Janome Gem (the shop I purchased it from called it a 3/4 machine) which has been fantastic as I discovered that everything is interchangeable with the 3500 including the power cord and the foot control which was handy when a wire broken in the 3500 foot control I just used the Gem control until I had the 3500 control repaired. I have also found the Gem to be very good in teaching young people to sew as it has a speed control which they love when they are first learning.

JustAbitCrazy

I did a lot of research before buying my "travel" machine, and I did the same thing: bought a Kenmore 1040 on ebay. I don't remember what I paid for it, but this Kenmore "featherweight" was a much better value than a Singer Featherweight, imho. It has the zigzag stitches, a much stronger motor, and doesn't cost nearly what the Singer Featherweight does. It's a bit heavier machine, so you don't have to chase it all over the tabletop while in use. And I just love how the attachments box flips to become a small table surface! It also has a small flip up side surface. Love, love, love it! It's an adorable workhorse. Check one out.

sheepla

I have the Janome Gem Gold and it is a great little machine for classes but has a very limited number of stitches. I am going to upgrade soon to the Pfaff Passport, though that's not in your stated price range. A lightweight machine for travel is a must!