That is one drawback to the Bernina machines - if you want to call it that. I love mine but it is a very heavy machine, and even though I have a rolling case for it, it rarely leaves my sewing room. My ideal machine would be a newer Bernina with a BSR and the 12 inch throat sounds like a dream - I think mine is 6 or 7 inches and it can be a bear. Maybe I should have held onto my old Babylock for traveling - but I chose to pass it on to my niece who didn't have a machine.