Best lightweight machine for classes?
 

Ok... so... I just bought a Janome 7700. I'm very excited...but thinking I need a small lightweight machine for classes and get togethers.. Just wondering what everyone's thoughts are? Please and THANK YOU!!!!!!

What machine did you use before? What features do you want in another machine?

I'm a complete beginner..... YIKES!! Sooo excited to get started....

Although I have two Pfaffs in the sewing room for Quilting and Embroidery, my take to class is an inexpensive Brother CS6000i - it is light and does a nice job sewing. On my wish list is a featherweight .... but I have not found one yet that was in my budget and was in decent condition.

The 7700 is a lot of machine for a new sewer, why don't you spend time learning your new machine before buying a second. If you are new you don't know the things you like and don't like in a machine and you may end up spending money on something you won't want to use.

I realize it is a lot of machine. However, I do have a long history of sewing on industrial embroidery machines.. as we had our own company for years. I am a brand new quilter though..but my husband is of the mindset that I should buy a higher end machine from the get go. We did quite a bit of research..and I have a few friends that sew with Janome. The shop I'm taking classes from just suggested possibly getting a small lightweight machine for classes...sooooo...just not sure about the needs for that.

Ask your dealer about the Janome Gem. I think that is their smaller, lightweight model. I do not own one, but have a different Janome that I love. And, enjoy that new machine of yours!

A lot of quilters like the Janome Jem for taking to classes. This line comes in different levels (starting with gold, I think, and moving up to platinum) ranging from a few stitches to lots of decorative stitches. Typically for classes it's enough to have a good straight stitch and zigzag stitch options. Weight is around 12 lbs, I think, very similar to a vintage featherweight. Here is a link to one on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Janome-Jem-Gol...dp/B000FLH2VE/

The BabyLock Audrey is the smallest, lightweight portable in the Babylock line, and is wonderful for piecing. Weighs less than 10 lbs I think, and so simple to take to classes or workshops. Has a nice selection of decorative stitches too. I have quilted several baby quilts on it, and pieced a double bed size quilt top.

I have a Janome 6600 and a Jem for travel. The Jem is only 12 pounds. I like having two of the same brand, because all the feet, bobbins, etc., are interchangeable. The Jem is a great little machine in my opinion. I got the Platinum, and I recall its being about $500.

I take Janome Jem or Featherweight, or Singer 301 to classes. Depends on what I'm sewing. My stay at home machines are Bernina, Brother 1500, Singer 15, and Singer Quantum.

Not sure if this would be the case but would the Janome Gem use the same feet as the machine you currently have? If so that might be a reason for at least looking at it. I have hear good things about it and for class allyou really need is probably a straight stitch.

The Janome Gem uses the same feet as the Janome 6600 and that is so convenient. I have them both and love them! I would definitely suggest having a lighter machine to carry to class - taking your 7700 would get tiresome. If the Gem feet fit the 7700, I would absolutely suggest getting a Gem.

Can't go wrong with a vintage Singer Featherweight. I love mine!

I just bought a Janome Gem Gold and took it to quilt guild for the first time last week. It fits in a sturdy bag and was so EASY to handle. I have two Berninas at home that do all the things I want to do, but I can plan to do just piecing, etc. at guild without all the hassle of taking a heavy machine

Thanks so much for all the replies and insight! I'm gonna check a few of these out!! Oh my gosh... there is sooo much to learn! I could read these forums for hours.... days!!! lol

After a 20 year sewing hiatus, I got a Janome 3160 for Christmas in 2011. I absolutely love it. The next year, I decided to upgrade to the 7700 (which I also love), put my 7700 in a sewing cabinet and kept the 3160 for classes.

The machines have a lot of similarities (thread cutter, on/off, etc., and share bobbins).

Good luck on finding a good fit.

I have a pfaff passport which I love for classes and moving around my 2 story home for piecing. I have a Bernina which I also love but keep in my 2nd floor sewing room as it is too heavy to move around. I use the Bernina for quilting.

I have the Janome 7700 for home and the 3160 for hauling to class. The 3160 weighs 12 pounds and has needle down, thread cutter, etc. Love the 3160 - I have had jam gold and platinum but like the 3160 better.

The advantage of the Pfaff Passport over the Janome Jem is the IDT (built-in walking foot). Although I'm a Janome fan, I don't think I could go back to a machine without this feature now.

Pfaff Passport is a great travel machine - has IDT, needle up/down, start/stop button.

I really wish s/m mfgr would make a " true" quilters machine .......remove the various buttonhole stitches and put in something we can use....maybe someone has already.......haven't shopped for s/m lately.....truly, when was the last time YOU made a buttonhole?

I talked to my wonderful sewing machine guy (www.sewingmachinesteve.com) about a "take to class" machine. I didn't want a featherweight like everybody else and they are pricey but something mechanical that would be portable. He recommended the Kenmore 158-1040. These are three quarter machines and come in a sturdy plastic case embossed with roses. I searched and searched and found one that apparently was never used. Still had the tag. It is a dream machine and is just perfect for my mobile sewing needs. I love my "rescued" Kenmore!

The little Brother mentioned earlier is a great carry around machine and fills the bill for many new quilters who want to try quilting out. It is the machine of choice in my winter Texan park. Some are over 7 years old and still going strong. I completed an appliqué project with one when my expensive Pffaf broke down and you cannot tell the difference. I would advise buying the 1/4 inch foot with the guide but everything else comes with it including a walking foot. Great little machine! Buy it on amazon not from a dealer ( twice the price)

I'm thinking any machine that has a straight stitch you can lift. I took one class that was beside a grocery store that had specials on the same day. Had to park clear across the lot!! Even my Featherweight gets heavy!!

I also have a Janome 7700. I few years ago I inherited some money and bought myself a Janome Platinum for classes...I love it...it is a little crackerjack machine. I always think of my Dad when I use it.

I just purchased the Janome Platinum for classes and such!! I can't wait to get it!!! Thanks so much for everyone's input....

I have used a featherweight and a Singer 301 (big sister to the featherweight) my favorite is the Elna Lotus the carrying case folds out as the table. Lightweight and has a zig-zag stitch as well I love it.

I love my Brother 6000i for portability, ease of use, and taking to classes. Much more versatile than the Janome Jem. I actually use mine at home when watching videos while sewing. I have a Singer Featherweight but hardly use it as I prefer the Brother. They both weigh about the same.

the Janome Gem is great

Try the 3160 or 4120 both Superb lightweights from Janome. Again using feet from each other keeps down costs and you get to spend on more fabrics or classes

My dealer was out of the Janome 3160 at Christmastime when I went to trade in my Jem Platinum so I upgraded to a 4120 for classes. I use it to sew in the kitchen, too, and it is great. Nice and portable.

I love Janome, I have the MC 6600. Some day I will upgrade, but in the meantime it is a workhorse & does everything I need, including free motion quilting.

Some of my friends in quilting bee have the Pfaff Passport 2.0, it weighs about 12 pounds, has the built in walking foot(IDT). Its nice little machine.

Is this the one? http://www.amazon.com/Brother-Featur...dp/B000JQM1DE/

I just went through this question myself, I own Vikings, looked at the jenome, the baby lock and actully decided on a light weight Viking, main reason, is all my accessories fit ( feet) which I have lots of, and I love the way it sews... Like all my other Vikings, I found needle down in the biggest difference between the different versions of the gem, I know several people who own them, and love them!

I ended up going with the Janome Jem Platinum for classes and traveling..

I am a Bernina quilter---older ones. When my granddaughter was seven years old, I bought her an adorable Janome Hello Kitty sewing machine, but she preferred to sew and quilt on my bigger machines.
I bought her an Audrey Baby Lock this year and now as a ten year old, she loves it. She
has won several awards and enjoys sewing for herself and for Project Linus. I would recommend the Audrey Baby Lock.
It has a carrying case and my granddaughter carries it herself to and from her sewing classes.

I have a Janome 2010 that I take to classes. It has been a real workhorse for me. Today my other half let me get a Janome8900C. I go pick it up on Friday and can,t wait to use it. I really think he,s a keeper.
Told me I was always in the sewing room --so I might as well get what I wanted. It has the bigger throat and should be a lot easier to quilt on.

the Janome 3160...it has the auto thread cutter for quilt class piecing and many other features for quilting. It is only 11 lbs.