canmitch1971

I have a Janome Gem Platinum that I am really impressed with. I realize it is more than your budget amount but to me it is well worth it.

ruthrings

I have a little Bernette which I really like. It's certainly not fancy, but has a very nice quality of stitch. I only do piecing at my sit-and-sews, and it's just fine for that.

meyert

The shop opened in Versailles, IN just south of the State Police Post. http://www.thequiltersnook.com/

meyert

Thanks for all of the tips on the machines.... this is giving me some good leads

SewExtremeSeams

For $150 or less I would get a Singer 301. At that price or less my 301 machines each came with all the attachments. It weighs about 16 pounds which is light enough to carry and it comes with its own sturdily attached handle.

Girlfriend

This is what I really want to get:

http://www.amazon.com/Brother-PC420P...ect+runway+420

It has an automatic threader and automatic thread cutter. I believe the feet are interchangeable with Janome, but you might want to check that out before buying.

Sewnoma

I agree with the suggestions to get another Janome, so you can share the bobbins at least.

Feet may or may not be interchangeable since the 6600 is high shank and most other Janomes are low shank. I bought a 3160 as my travel machine and it came with most of the same feet as my 6600 so that wasn't really an issue. (Although I think all the snap-on feet will interchange; just not any that get screwed on).

The 3160 is a more expensive machine than you're looking for but I hear marvelous things about Janome Jems and I think there's some of those in your range. Definitely check with your dealer and see if you can get a nice used one! A travel machine won't get as much wear so I feel a lot more comfortable with a used one, particularly if it's coming from a dealer.

Barring that; I've also owned a Brother CS6000i and it was a great little lightweight machine. Main drawback is it's REALLY light and would scootch away from me as I was sewing! Very sturdy though; my niece & nephew took it over on a visit so I sent it home with them; they're 9 & 13 and both play/sew with it often and every time I ask I'm told it's still sewing just fine! I think I paid about $150 for that one, on Amazon. It has speed control & needle up/down.

rainbowzebra

I bought a Brother SQ9050 to be my travel machine, my #1 plus was just way to heavy to cart around. I love the Brother and use it often even at home, it has alot of built in stitches plus an alphabet. My only complaint is, it has a very small throat opening, but it sews like a champ and is very light weight. It did not come with a case, I bought it at WalMart for around $200.

maminstl

I also have a Brother that is my "travel" machine, although I use it quite a bit at home. Mine is a combo sewing/embroidery, so would not fit into your price point. They have a Brother at Costco right now for less than $140 that I would snap up in a heartbeat if I needed another machine, or wanted to give one as a gift. My main machine is a Babylock, so I have interchangeable feet and bobbins.

loisf

I have a Janome 6600 at home and a Jem Platinum that travels to Hawaii with me. It was about $500, but possibly there are others that are in your price range. They are great little machines, 12 pounds, and the feet and bobbins are interchangeable.