Machine for Class
 

I own a Bernina QE440 and for Christmas want a more portable machine. Thought I wanted a Featherweight but have come to realize I like all of the modern conveniences that new machines offer. Any suggestions for a moderately priced machine? Thanks!

I love my Janome TXL 607. It's only 1lb heavier than the Janome Jem that a lot of people will probably recommend and has a lot more bells and whistles. I even prefer it to my Pfaff for FMQ. I think it's paid for itself with the auto thread-cutter, lol.
(Just bought myself a Featherweight too - waiting on it arriving!)

I purchased a featherweight to take to class only goes forward and backwards and is solid.
Reason purchased. I took my bernina 440qe to class and did an emergency stop on the way( child on a bike and late for school came straight out a junction) when I got to class I found out my handle on one side had been pushed forward into top of machine. Luckily our groups PAT. Tester is across the road. He very carefully undid back and eased and wiggled it out. That made my decision to carry a strong machine to classes. Some of the smaller lighter machines arelastic and I am sure would not have stood up to that emergency.
Ps. The machine was in a carrying trolley made for a janome with wheels and plenty of fabric surrounding it.

I am having this same dilema as well. I too have a 440QE and there is no way that I am taking it to a class or sew-in. I would like to have a fairly simple machine but there is one feature that I really, really want in my travel machine: needle down. I have found this feature so helpful. Also, I am a bit intimidated by the older machines as I'm not too handy and I know that my DH would never attempt to work on it as he would be too afraid of damaging something.

I did have a Brother for many years (it was my first machine that I owned) and it was a good machine. It was purchased at Costco and I pieced and did some freemotion on it. I would still have it today had it not met a really unfortunate end at the hands (paws?) of one of my dogs.

I wish there was a machine finder survey that you could plug in your desires and it would look at all machines and tell you which one might be a good fit. I've been watching these threads lately for ideas and suggestions. I'm going on my first quilting retreat in March so I'd like to find one before then.

I too wanted a lightweight machine to carry to classes. Ended up buying a Singer, paid about $100 for it. While it doesn't have 'needle down', it does a fine job of basic sewing.

Thought I wanted a featherweight... tried one with no success. The bobbin was very sensitive and would create a nest of jumbled thread constantly. Even had the sewing machine repair guy work on it... still had the same problem. **I know most people that own a featherwight love them. Guess I just happened to get a lemon. :rolleyes:

I'm with you Valerie. My Bernina 630 is just too heavy (and delicate) to lug to class, so I went looking for a portable Bernie and ended up with a vintage 801 Sport. It's lightweight, has about a dozen fancy stitches and comes with a handle for portability. Of course, it also come with those beautiful Bernina stitches too.

Personally, I've given up a few bells and whistles for the durability of all metal construction and complete reliability of the older machines. Check 'em out. You might like them too.

I have a Janome AQS which is great to take to classes although I really miss the thread cutter from the 6600. I'm sure Bernina must make lighter weight machines that would work but since I only have Janomes, all I can recommend are the Janome brands. I bought my mom a Jem and she loves how light and handy it is.

Babylock dealers in my area running a special for a $99 machine. That's what I Got for classes

I have one of those $100 Singers and I really like it. Nothing fancy, but it sews forward and backward and has nice stitches. That's all I was looking for to take to a class.

Cindy bought a Viking hclass 100Q for taking classes, and she really likes it.

http://www.husqvarnaviking.com/media...ss100Q_en.html

I love my Janome 3160 QDC. It's a full size machine that weighs only 12 lbs. and has all the features I'm used to - needle up/down, thread cutter, etc.

I purchased a used Brother CS6000i for $100 about 5 years ago, and it is fine for my needs. Lightweight, 60 stitches, needle down. Balks a bit at heavy seams, a bit fussy about lint buildup, and the default needle position is to the left so I've rammed a few needles with my preferred center hole 1/4" foot when starting up after lunch so I put a sticky note on it. At home I sometimes use my heavy metal 1976 Kenmore- very reliable.

My brother SQ-9050 has the needle down function, drop feed dogs, needle threader and has been awesome for all my classes and travel needs, is super lightweight, comes with all the quilting feet you need without having to purchase additional feet. I just love mine and use her a lot, probably more than my big machine since I am hardly home. I got it from walmart but they sell it on a few sites as well

I got a great deal on a Bernina 330, but I also like the Bernina 12 as a sweet, easy machine. It just depends on which features you truly want.

I'm so confused! I have a Bernina 1031 and really enjoy it, but I need a machine that I'd feel comfortable taking to retreats and workshops. I've been looking for a basic sewing machine (maybe one or two bells and whistles) but dealers are showing me machines beginning at $660+. That's more than I want to spend at this time.


I'm considering purchasing from a dealer who can repair the machine. I know it will probably cost me a bit more to go that way.

I've read Janome reviews and there have been a number of problems with machines right out of the box. So that doesn't give me confidence.

The following brands have been suggested to me but I can't get a good feel of what's good and what is not worth the price savings. Your comments would be appreciated.

Simplicity
Brother
Janome
Necci

I already have to many machines but that viking sure looks nice

Have you considered a Bernette made by Bernina? They are very lightweight and portable. Perfect for taking to class so you don't have to pack up your every day machine. Normally around $200, the Bernina site has a $50 coupon.
http://www.bernina.com/en-US/Product...us/bernette-27

aThe Brother Computerized PC 420 Runway sewing machine is a wonderful machine! It does things higher cost machines do. It has automatic needle threader, automatic thread cutter, simple bobbin winding system, 11 presser feet that includes walking and quilting foot, twin needle function, built in knee lifter to easily raise and lower the presser foot to keep your hands free for repositioning and removing your fabric, 1 touch reversible stitch, needle up down, user friendly 146 page manual, etc. $399 on Amazon. com with free shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/Brother-Limite...sewing+machine

I love my featherweight for transporting. Can live without all the bling in class

Lugging the heavy home machine has always been a reason I hesitated to sign up for classes....I felt like I was moving with every class. So, this last summer, I bought a FW at a very good price. So this spring I will try signing up using it, see if I feel less encumbered. But in hindsight, if I were to buy another "classroom" type machine, I would look for one that has a blanket stitch too......along with zig-zag...for those quickly fusible appliques some classes involve..

I am so lucky. I kept my Bernina 180 and use it for classes. It probably weighs as much or close to the 440 but I have a wheeling tote I put it in and when I have to carry it up stairs it's never more than 7. I manage and I'm 66.

I bought a Viking Hclass 100Q and it is great. I take it to my sewing group gatherings and classes because it is very portable. It has a lot of nice features, including the blanket stitch. It is a very very nice to sew with. Take one for a test drive and you will see. Have fun shopping for your machine.

I have a Brother SQ9050 that I got at Wal mart for $200, I think it is a very good machine for the price, even has an extension table, walking foot and fmq foot. I used it quite a bit while I was researching machines when my old Husqvarna was giving me a lot of problems. It is only about 12lbs.

Have a brother SE9000 with 80 stitches. It is light weight, needle up and down and sews great and doesn't weigh too much. Got it on Overstock.com for $139 delivered.

I bought a Brother CS6000i four years ago when I started quilting. It has lots of stitches, a walking foot, and is very light weight. I can lift it with one hand. It is perfect for classes. I ordered it through Walmart for $179 and used their in-store pickup. I upgraded to a Janome 7700 last year but there is no way I would want to lug that monster to a class! I will keep my little Brother.

I bought a Janome 3160 at the Paducah 2011 quilt show specifically for a class machine. LOVE IT!!!! In fact, I like it so much, I use it more than I do my Janome 10001. The 3160 is fairly light, has multiple deco stitches, is easy to use, dependable, has needle up/down and - the best part - built in scissors! That's my favorite option & the main reason I don't use the 10001 except for embroidery. I found a scrapbooking tote at a garage sale & it carries my machine, accessories & fabrics nicely. I'm in a scrap group that meets monthly & this machine has been a lifesaver. Whatever you select, hope you enjoy it as much as I do mine. Blessings for Christmas.

I got a janome gem and it is light and easy to take to class. We normally just sew straight seam or zig jag and mine will do that I use the machine with the bells and whistles at home. The only time I take my fancy machine is to class that I want to learn something special. They carry it in and out for me so that is a great help.

Janome 3160
 

This one is under 12 lbs. Great quilting machine. Since you are mainly piecing in class, this machine has the auto thread cutter, a must for piecing. I couldn't believe how light weight it was with all the bells and whistles.....especially that cutter.
Diana in TX

Okay I probably going out on a limb here but I bought a little brother sewing machine with a table extension and 77 stitches for $129. I think it's a CS6000. I bought at London Drugs here in Canada. It's light weight and great to bring to class. My daughter loved it so much she bought one.

The chances are that the bobbin case was the problem. Secondary problem could be the bobbins. With Featherweights, just because a bobbin or bobbin case is supposed to fit the machine, doesn't necessarily mean it will.

BTW, I take a lot of classes and some teachers want free arms, feather stitch, zig zag, etc. I take a Bernina 1171, the Quilter's machine. It does everything needed. However, it is heavy, so if I am taking a class that ONLY needs piecing, I will take a Featherweight (Singer 221) or a Singer 301 if I need piecing and free motion quilting. A Featherweight can be touchy about the thread used, and a 301 handles every thread I've given it except YLI. However, 30 out of 32 different and various manufacturers' machines had trouble with the YLI thread in a class I took and some had to go to the repair person.

Cricket

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.