Hi Susie: Thank you for the welcome. I am thinking of asking my husband to buy me a basic, inexpensive sewing machine for Christmas. Something easily portable, under $300, don't need a bunch of stitches or features. Will probably use just to piece quilt blocks or simple sewing. Good enough to take to a sewing class if I ever wanted to take one. Would love recommendations on a particular brand and model. The Jazz II is very heavy and not easily portable as I found out when I took it to the repair shop. Thanks.