I have a Pfaff and 2 Singers and a Kenmore. I went to a retreat and took my Featherweight. Several people came over to ask whether that was the only machine I had brought. After talking for a while they were impressed. The next day one of the husbands dropped in and she brought him over to show him the Featherweight so he would know what to look for at auctions so she could get one too. I look at the heavy machines that others bring to retreats and most of them are doing only a straight stitch. If I know I am going to need a zigzag stitch I take the portable Singer which has some fancy stitches too. Use what you have and feel sorry for all the weight the other have to carry in with fancy machines.