The negative about piecing on a different machine while you're away is that you'll find your 1/4" will vary by machine and manufacturer. I tend to keep all my piecing projects on one machine only so that there isn't this variance in the final product. So, I guess what I'm saying is that if you work on one project on a small, travel machine you should probably keep that project for that machine only. I travel with my Janome 9000. Not a light machine but much lighter than my Bernina 830. That being said, I only use my travel machine for projects that won't be affected by the different 1/4" seam. Everyone I know, loves the travel Janomes like the Gems.