One of the ladies at the group has offered a loaner, which is greatly appreciated. I also appreciate your suggestion/point of view and was planning on chatting with the group today about machines
I've always been a big fan of vintage machines, one of the ones I parted with was a 301 which was certainly portable but honestly although I used it I was never comfortable with the slant needle. The Dressmaker?? was also under 20 pounds, which is my top weight limit (even with a rolling case you still have to take it in/out of the car). Unfortunately, vintage machines do not usually have a threading assist or good enough lighting for my vision issues, also it can be hard to find a 1/4 inch quilting foot. I am so used to using for all sides and some techniques simply don't work so well when the throat plate is covered up by fabric.. Yes,I know I can use threaders and do have a portable Ott light, but each thing like the Ott light adds to the weight and threaders are often lost and it is just sad watching me try to thread a needle without one! Finally, and I admit this is a silly "me" thing but I prefer to do all the work on one machine for consistency reasons/superstitions!
This machine will always and only be for group and low usage, I will get a rolling carrying case and it will be pretty much packed all time time except for group/class.. I see things like paper pieced blocks, or small crib quilt with minimal seams as typical project. It won't be used for quilting down, and doesn't need a wide throat or serpentine stitch or buttonholes. I will have Bernie and/or Remy set up for regular/heavy usage.