Featherweights are nice for classes, small and lightweight. Mine doesn't have a case so I bought a small insulated cooler that works really well with pockets on the sides and a storage area on the top from Walmart.

I always take my top of the line Viking- I'm always afraid if I take one of my other ones, I'll need a feature or foot that only my TOL has. I pack it safely in it's carrying case and don't worry. Then it's all threaded and ready to finish the project when I get home, too!

One thing to remember. Try a 1/4" seam on both machines to make sure they are the same. I bought a little Kenmore to take to class and did a lot of piecing using its 1/4" foot. Then I went home and started finishing the piecing on my trusty old Bernina 140. The pieces didn't match at all when I compared a row from each machine. I ended up ripping out everything I had done on the Kenmore and redoing it on the Bernina. I ended up giving the machine to my niece and buying another small Bernina for class. They match perfectly.

A number of years ago I bought a Singer Feather Weight II. It is the machine that goes to class and travels with us in the rv. Reasonable weight for carrying around. Practical stitches; nothing decorative but the product looks as good as my high end machines. Only one problem. I have to remember that the II needs me to do different things than some of the other machines: hold the threads when you start to sew; start to sew on fabric or there will be a mess in the bobbin case. That sort of stuff. It is one of the plastic machines. The innards are generally not metal and the outside is absolutely not metal.

I am glad to have it even if it is not my Bernina or my older Elna. It does a good job at what I ask of it.

Hope I have helped,

Pat

I take my featherweight to all my out of home trips. Light and dependable.

I bought a Janome 3160 for class. It only weighs about 11 lbs and has the auto thread cutter. Since most class sewing is piecing, I couldn't do without my thread cutter. I leave my 6600 and 8900 Janomes at home. You would love the 3160.

I also do this to whatever machine I take. I run the seatbelt through the carrying handle also. This was the instruction I received when I bought my machines. Once in a while I'll put one on the floor of the back seat but I feel that's risky if you have to stop or turn a corner too fast. I have a Featherweight that I usually take to class over my computer machines if I can.

I had no choice when I needed a machine out of the house but to take my big janome until I won a small one. I was visiting family in Calif. Went to a quilt show and won this cute little machine. Getting it on the plane home was a concern. It sews great and I am very happy.

My travelling machine is the Janome Jem. She's been to workshops and has been with me when I go to stay in my uncle's house to dog sit for him. Have to do something there - no internet, and no tv!! Lovely machine and doesn't mind travelling whereas my Pfaff with all the bells and whistles had a hissy fit when I put it back in the table after a day workshop. She would not sew properly for a few days. I don't know what happened but she did get back to normal. I haven't moved her since!

I bought my Janome DC 1050 specifically for class. It only weighs 11 lbs. and it seems to be a very good machine. I haul it all over the country visiting friends and on vacations. I love sewing with it. In the world of sewing machines, 11 lbs. seems light. As you can tell, I would not hesitate to take it to class. I like that you can control the speed and sew without the "accelerator" if you want too. My grandkids love to sew on it for the same reasons.