Looking for a travel machine...
 

So I had a Bernette 25, but I sold it when I got my new Pfaff Creative Performance because my husband kept saying I didn't need two machines. Well, I wish I had kept it. I just started going to classes, and I don't want to lug my heavy/expensive machine with me every time. Now I am looking at travel friendly machines. I would love to find one that had some of the fancier features of my Pfaff, but was lightweight.

Things I would love to have:
- automatic thread cutters
- built in walking foot (Pfaff's IDT has spoiled me)
- automatic tension control
- "shadow-free" LED lights
- needle-down setting
- speed control
- automatic tie-off
- a small extension table

I don't give a flip about fancy stitches or buttonholes. I just want something for taking to classes where I will just be piecing blocks or making projects like bags. If I needed something more I could always lug my big machine.

Suggestions?

This is why I never listen to my husband when it comes to sewing machines. ;-) LOL

May I ask what your budget might be, or if you're willing to consider a used machine?

I would definitely consider a used machine. I am honestly not sure what my budget is, at this point I am just researching to see what the options are and what the prices would be. I am thinking no more than $600, but the cheaper the better as I will have to convince Mr. You Don't Need Two Machines...

I sure wish I had a back-up machine as well. Took my good one in for a cleaning and won't get it back for two weeks. I feel so lost without it.

There was just a thread on here about the Pfaff Pasport. I have the Pfaff Essential Ambition which I bought on sale for $599 last July. The Passport was recently on sale for $500 or $599. I ahve 2 Pfaff Essential Ambitions. One to stay set up and one to use for travel. I love that machine. Maybe you could find a floor model at a Dealer at areasonable price for either the Essetail Ambition or the Passport.

I have a Janome Jem Platinum that has most of the features you want. It weighs only 12 pounds. Sews great. Has been a little workhorse for me. Cost is between $450 and $500. I left mine at our condo in Hawaii this year so it will be ready for my three month stay there next year. Retirement, here I come.

I think that if you want one with the IDT, and you already have a Pfaff, I would go with the Passport. It does fit in your budget, and it's a cool little machine - I looked at one recently.

No idea on a machine but I want my time machine to sit beside my money tree.:)

A f riend and I both got Passports this past Fall?/winter. We both have arthritis but wanted smaller machines that would do more than my FW. We absolutely love them.

I also love my Passport. I've been a Pfaff girl since the mid 70's and never been disappointed with them. I currently own the 1473CD, QE 4.0 and the Passport.

why don't you get the pfaff passport, that is a nice little machine

That's the reason I bought the Passport - spoiled by the IDT. Almost all your feet will fit (don't think your bobbins will though) and has most of your features. It doesn't have an auto thread cutter unfortunately :( but I'm learning, lol. I like the fact that the extension table clips on to the hard cover, although you may find that it's not automatically included in the price.

Definitely the Passport!

Debbie

I don't tell my husband what he should keep or not....he does not tell me either. I learned this from my mother who, as a young bride "listened" to my dad tell her to get rid of her records . She did, Dad had kept his till the day he passed away. She was PO'd about that for the rest of their life. Mom took joy in breaking every one of those records after Dad died. Sad. Uh, no. I learned a lot of life lessons from observing my folks.

Happy shopping!
sandy

Glad to hear lots of positive remarks about the Passport... that is one that was on my radar. I think next time I am at the shop I will have to check it out. I am really spoiled by the automatic thread cutter though... however, I doubt I am going to find a travel machine that offers that.

Janome Gem 720
 

I have a Janome Gem 720 (issued as a AQS2009 by specifications from American Quilters Society made by Janome) and it has hardly been used. I have three machines and need to sell one. Since this one is seldom used, I would like to sell it. I has needle down and all the desired stitches for a quilter. I will include all the extra feet I purchased, so it is well supplied with feet and extra bobbins, too. Post a reply if you are interested. Asking about $350.

The Janome 3160 has an automatic thread cutter.

Like you I have been a Pfaff lover for a long time and currently have a QE 4.0. But for my travel machine, I bought a Janome which does not have all the features you're looking for. But Janome makes nice machines, you might want to take a look at what they have in your price range.