I bought the Janome 3160 for a class machine. One key feature was the included extension table. It's been great. I negotiated an after-tax price of $599 from a dealer in MA close to NH, where there is no tax. I also took an FMQ class with the machine and it performed wonderfully. Even though I'll use my 7700 at home for FMQ.

I have the Janome 760 and love it for travel and classes. It has an up/down button which I can't do without and you can stitch out many motifs and have the ability to control your length and width.

I like my Singer Featherweight and I love it!! Its all metal and very lightweight. I can carry it and all my other stuff for class in one trip!

When I could finally no longer lug my old reliable mechanical Brother to class, I looked for a lightweight machine to replace it and got a Janome 720. LOVE IT! Then at a silent auction my guild held I won a Tutto wheeled carrier. Two of the best investments I ever made.

Anyone know anything about the lightweight brother?

Which lightweight brother? I had 4 of the LS2125 Brothers in my classroom for 2 years. It was lightweight and worked great, never had a problem with it. When I upgraded, I sold the classroom machines - one to a gal who needed it for a class she was taking on making purses. The instructor was so impressed with it, she purchased all the remaining machines I had to put in her classroom for student use.

If you get a lightweight machine, go to the dollar store and get a package of rubber shelf liner. Put a piece under the machine, it will keep it stable on any surface.

Also, all machines differ a little bit. For example, a 1/4" seam is not going to be exactly the same on your Janome 2010, your Jamone 720, your Brother LS2125, etc. So, if you are starting an important project, and keeping your seams consistent is important, you need to start, and finish, on the same machine. Otherwise there may be maddening subtle differences when you try to match seams up or in the width of your borders after sewn.

Featherweights are the best of the older machines for portability, IMHO. THere are a lot of small Janomes out there that are supposed to be good, too. Good luck!

I love the Janome Gem machines. and now that Kenmore and Janome are made by the same people, all of the Kenmore feet fit my Janome!
NO matter what machine you choose, ALWAYS find out before class what type of tables will be used, if they are plastic banquet tables, go to the flooring store and buy a BOUND carpet sample that is about 18" x 24". Use under your machine to keep it from bouncing around on the plastic table while you sew!

I have a low end brother, they are all very lightweight usually around 12lbs or so, have loved all of mine

I swear by the Singer Featherweight for straight stitching mostly. It does not do any fancy stitches but I have heavy
machines that do all that and my kids will put it on the table for me. Once I get that sewing room organized I will keep all my machines out. Friend bought a Janome Gem for classes etc. and she loves it. Especially the needle threader. Now
that needle threader alone would be a big plus for me. It just depends on what you want to use the machine for. I
know people that have top of the line sewing machines but they do everything. I still need my Singer as I can move that around easily.