I bought a Singer 99K and decided I didn't want an old machine to take to classes. I didn't want to take my Bernina 830 out of my house. Well, I have the Viking Quilt Design that doesn't weigh too much and I just purchased an acrylic table for it, so I'm done searching for the perfect machine. It has needle up/down and suppose to self thread but that puppy hasn't worked right since I bought it home. I need to take it to my dealer (1/2 hour away) and have him adjust it. It's nothing fancy at all, but just right for classes.

You know, I use to love retreats until the getaway we held ours at went belly up and they decided that the Ascension School in my home town is the perfect place for our retreats. I went the first two years, but it wasn't the same. I had to go home and feed the dogs and once I was home, it was hard to go back. The third year I set up my machine and just stayed during the day and stayed home at night and saved a bunch of money (1 mile from my house ... makes sense to stay home) but didn't even go on Saturday and showed up Sunday to pick up my machine and haven't been back since. Why can't we find a place where no one lives? I walk by the school every day. It's not like a retreat at all to me. Sorry, I'm whining.

I bought the little inexpensive Bernette to take to classes if I'm going to need more than straight stitching. It was about $150 and works fine for retreats and workshops. I wouldn't want to count on her for heavy duty sewing, but for occasional trips, she works just fine. Back and forth stitching, zig zag and a blanket stitch; she has the basics.

Ditto, Lynda. Love my little 3160.

I have a friend that bought a Baby Lock Grace and she absolutely LOVES it. Not too fancy, but light...easy to Transport, and has a few. Fancy stitches. It's on sale in our area right now too.

Costco has a brother xr1300 for $150.00 light weight an has all the bells and whistle , its a quilting machine with the table . Has 130 stitches I just bought one and cant weight till christmas. I have never owned a Brother machine. DottieBug

I have a Brother Project Runway Limited Edition and that is the only machine I own. Of course, I hand quilt so I don't need those heavy machines. But this does the job for machine piecing and taking to classes. I love this little machine and I paid less than $400 for it.

Love my Janome Jem Platnium

My recommendation for the Bernina owners would be the Bernina 215. It can be found for as low as $699. Maybe a little pricy for a second machine but all of your feet will be interchangeable. In the case of the 440 even the bobbin will be the same. If price is no object move in to the 3 series machines for a few more stitches and options! Good luck with your search!

I have to say that little Bernette is a great machine. We have sold a huge number of them and have not had a single mechanical problem with them!

Featherweights or their big sister the 301 are great for class.