Lightweight Sewing Machine for Quilt Classes
 

I am selling my Viking Emerald 116 because shortly after i bought that machine, I bought a Bernina 440QE with the BSR so I could do stitch regulated quilting. I have not used my Viking machine much since buying the Bernina--except to take to quilt classes). I wanted to give it to my 18 year old daughter but, of course, if it isn't computerized it isn't good enough for a teenager!! I want to buy her a computerized sewing machine for under $500. I would like a lightweight one so I can also use this machine to take to quilt classes. I have seen several computerized sewing machines under $500 but I also get paranoid about buying something that is "too cheap"! Anyone have any suggestions on a pretty good computer sewing machine for under $500. It wouldn't get alot of use because my daughter doesn't have a whole lot of interest in sewing/quilting yet. I am hoping if I get her a computerized machine that is "hers" it will help peak her interest.

I too own a Bernina 440 QE and was using on my quilt outings, until I was told not to take it on trips. With the computer you can easily put it out of whack and will cost a fortune to repair. Then I bought a Janome Gem (Gold I believe)before I discovered how wonderful Featherweights are. The Janome is very light weight and is a wonderful machine. It went everywhere with me for the longest time. You can get them computerized but they are still very simple to get to know. Know I use my Featherweights for all trips and love it. But it's for me and I didn't buy it for someone else to use. Check out the Janome's small machines I was impressed when I took a second look years later.

Babylock audrey, don't have one but they are very lightweight and people love them If I could afford one, I would get one, but I love my brother so I can't complain

I have singer fw75 computerized. Got it for about 230 and retails for almost 400. Best but I,ve ever made. Great workhorse,computerized, and light enough to carry

To hijack the original post just a bit...
Wine woman: wow, I never heard of concerns about traveling with my 440. I haul it all over the place. I do make sure it has time to warm up when I bring it in from the cold, but it is a tough machine. However I have started using my vintage machines for straight stitch classes. I still haul the 440 with me on RV trips that are over a week since it does a lot more tasks easily.

Pam

I have 2 Bernina's and love them to pieces. However, before I got my 450 as a travel machine, my DH got me a Brother CS4000 from Overstocked.com. It does 7mm fancy stitches and really is an nice little machine for the money. Enjoy your 440QE. That was my first Bernina. They are awesome machines!

A Brother or Babylock from a reliable dealer.

I love my Janomes......I use the Jem Platinum 720 for travel :)

There are quite a few Janome machines for under $500, both online and at dealers.

One Dealer actually recommended this particular machine to me because it is on sale right now for $499 and she said it is computerized and lightweight. How long have you had yours? Have you had any troubles with it? What did you pay for yours?--is the sale price of $499 a good price? That Dealer is somewhat local and am thinking I should go check it out. She said it's on sale until May.

Hi....just a word from a mum of two daughters !
I have two beautiful daughters aged 25 and 23.
I gave them both really nice machines. My oldest daughter has taken on board my passion for sewing and when time allows in her busy life loves to make things and always wants to come with me to quilt shows....as for my other daughter....absolutely no interest whatsoever...I am sure the hems of her trousers are held up with sticky tape... and goodness knows what happens if she were to lose a button ! Her passion is music, dance and singing.....and I love them both just the same, but her machine has never seen light of day and is probably under a stack of clothes that need mending in her cupboard.
Before you spend loads of money on a fabulous computerised machine find out first whether she really will ever use it and if she doesn't will you be OK with the fact that it will just gather dust.

To Aborning: If it is the Janome 3160 QDC - Get it. I have had mine for 3 months and have taken it one retreats already and I just love the way it sews. It also has the scissors on it which is hard to find and a less expensive machine. Just love it.

Do a web search, the Jem is much cheaper than that.

I have a Babylock Audrey and it is great. Light weight and computerized.

I bought a Bernina Activa 140 yesterday on EBay. Got it for $394 so am excited that I got it for a good price. I bought it for my aughter to use and I will use it for taking along to classes, retreats, etc. I used to have a Bernina Activa 230 and I have heard that the 140 is very similar to the 200 Series so I am super excited to get this machine. Maybe it will peak my daughter's interest now to start to do some quilting since she has a computerized machine that is "hers". And it doesn't matter if she doesn't use it because I plan to use it to take to classes and retreats. (I'm sure I'll use it more than her!--but maybe someday that will change.)