Simplicity makes a nice "denim" machine. I can't remember how heavy it is for carrying to class. I picked it out for a friend; from her husband. It was a really nice machine around 169.00 a few years ago. (can find them online) My mom bought a different Simplicity, nice simple machine with a few extra stitches. I bought my daughter a Bernette made for Bernina. It was on sale for around 269.00 several years ago. It is easy to carry and has a variety of stitches. I used it when we camped during the summers. I would suggest you go to a dealer and look at their lower priced machines and then try them out. Take some different types of fabrics with you so you know if they will sew that fabric. Put all those samples in a ziplock with the name of that machine and price. Do the same for each you try and then you will have something to pick from. Good Luck, I love looking at different machines for students I teach. So have fun. Teresa