My turn!
 

Didn't think I would ever be asking, but I have finally decided to break down and get a new machine, so need some advice. My embroidery machine is just too heavy to carry to sewing club and classes so I need to get something very light. I have arm and shoulder problems, so the lighter, the better. I have looked at several different brands of machines and have it narrowed down to Pfaff Passport 2.0 or the Babylock Sophia (it's an embroidery machine also, which I would never use). The Pfaff weighs 13 lbs and the Babylock 11 lbs. I do have a Pfaff machine that I got years and years ago, but it's too heavy to lug around. It's a great machine and has served me very well. It now sits under my sewing table collecting dust. Both machines are on sale (at different shops), at about the same price. The Sophia does not include an extension table, but the Pfaff dealer will throw one in for no charge. Both stores offer all the free lessons you want/need to learn the features. Both stores have great service at reasonable prices. Love the staff at both stores. They are not far apart, so getting to either one for service is not a problem. I would love to hear from Passport and Sophia owners with pros and cons about these machines. TIA!

Don't have any experience with either, but I would say that having the extension table would be something I would take into consideration. If you are not going to use the embroidery part, then pick the machine with the other best feature.

I am a 'Pfaff' kind of girl myself. I have had a Pfaff for over 20 years and never had a bit of trouble with any of them. I had upgraded my machines and each time with another Pfaff. I have looked at a Passport myself and it seems to be another great machine. The extension table is a nice thing to have.

Just like when I shopped for a car, see what dealer is going to give the most "candy" such as throwing in three years of free service. Never hurts to ask and let them know you are also considering another machine. Good luck and hope you get the best bang for your hard earned dollar.

Have you thought about a trolley or even a suitcase with wheels the size of machine. These only require a lift from car to floor.

I think all new machines sew just fine, it's options that make it the machine you want. My must haves on a machine are needle up/down, auto thread cutter, and threader. The auto thread cutter is the first thing I test. And I test it a lot before buying.

Test, test, test. I agree what are they going to offer to sweeten the pot. Will the other dealer throw in an extension table?

May want to check this out unless you really want a new machine for variety.

I have a passport and love it. However the table does not normally come with it and I think that you might really want it

Janome Gem is a great little machine for classes.

I'd lean towards the Pfaff. The table will come in handy. Love the Pfaff machines! Have never had any issues with mine~

I took the Passport 2.0 for a test drive. It was a very nice machine. I really wanted a knee lift, though, so I ended up looking at the Bernina 215 & 350. I bought the 350 because it came with extra accessories for quilting, but I kinda wish that I would've gone with the 215 and picked my own accessories (for example, I'd prefer an open toed metal darning foot to the closed toe clear plastic one I got & the extension table it came with is curved and higher on the right than the left vs. a different one they sell separately that is clear acrylic and completely flat). Still, I'm very happy with it. It is easy to carry to classes/workshops and doesn't have a ton of features that I don't want/need but could still break and cost me money. I have the worst luck with those kind of things.

My class machine is the Janome 3160 -- I had the Jems (Gold and Platinum)but the 3160 has most of the features of my big, heavy machine so the transition from one to the other is not difficult. I would use that as your guide since that makes it easier to sew in class.

I have the BL Sophia and LOVE it! The embroidery attachment is very easy to use and may just let you take some embroidery classes because you CAN carry it to class. I think support, service and classes are deciding factors so if you are blessed enough to have two shops that offer these, you are truly blessed!

I like my Janome machines-but my next machine will be a Baby Lock. They are just awesome machines all 'round. Having said that-something very important is customer service-how close is your nearest dealer, and do they make you feel like a valued customer? The service would be my deciding factor if I didn't have a Baby Lock dealer in town

The Sophia is a dandy little machine-a good bang for your buck-and it is so easy to transport-and you might be surprised and want to do a bit of embroidery

I have Pfaff machines also. I bough the Passport for classes and e. love it!!love it!! Others have used mine and love it also.

I have a 500 dollar brother sewing machine that I travel with. It is great! Has lots of extras and even threads the needle by itself! My granddaughter just got a brother from Walmarts to start off her sewing career. She found it to have many features and decorative stitches and cost about 200. These machines may not last a lifetime but sure are good little sewers. My brother is just a few pounds. Just piecing and sewing, no FMQ. Good luck with your search. You are getting lots of advice!

Look at Janome. Great machines for less. Look for the feature you need in class.....thread cutter, needle up/down etc. ..and of course weight. Check out the Janome 4120.....I use this in class all the time.

Have you seen the new Janome Dc3150 (?)? It replaces the Gem. I am at Road 2 California and just saw it. I believe it even comes with an extension table.

I agree. I bought the Sofia for the same reason...easier to transport. Sews great and quiet. You Will have embroidery ability even when Taking it to classes . I take mine to beach for my summer vacation. The extension table would not be a deciding factor for me.

I would buy this machine! love my Janome!

Well, after much debate (with myself!) I bought the Pfaff. I have no need for the embroidery on the Sophia, as I have an embroidery unit on my Viking Designer. I just liked the way it sewed, easy to program, not that you program anything; just push a button for what stitch you want. At the Sophia demonstration, I couldn't sew because the "embroidery foot was on the machine and I don't want to change it". I think all the feet I have for my old Pfaff will fit the new one. Thanks so much for all the advice and opinions! It's nice to get the feedback.

I just ordered a Brother XR3140 from Costco as I also needed a lightweight machine I could put on my cutting table when working on the large borders and bindings. Wanted to be able to take it off if I needed the full cutting table so lightweight as I have arthritis in my hands. I wanted one with the needle up/dn, auto threading, a number of stitches and easy to get to those stitches when changing from one to another. I found I like this machine very much and it gives a perfect stitch for me no matter how thick of fabrics I put thru it. I liked it so much I bought another one for a gent I'm teaching how to make a quilt. Got his for $40 less one week after I ordered mine due to a special discount. I also find my Babylock feet work on the Brother machine which I have a walking foot I've never used so another plus for me. I still love my Viking D1 but having 2 for my use I can set one up for my piecing and the other for my apparel sewing.

Spent less that $200 with free shipping from Costco. Never thought I'd order a machine online like this but I'm happy with my purchase.

I also have a janome jem for classws and it work great. I also have Pfaffs and a babylock and love all of them.

I have a Bernina and it was also too heavy for taking to classes so I bought the Pfaff Passport when it first came out. I love it. It is so lightweight that I do tend to move it around the house and follow the sun. I have the extension table, a plus. Love the IDT. I do tend to use it mostly for piecing. The 1/4" foot with guide is perfect on the Pfaff. I never thought I needed the guide but it has made things easier. The only negative I find is that you have to unscrew two screws to get at the bobbin area to clean it. I find cleaning the lint on both my machines decreases my trips to the dealer for servicing. Good luck with your decision.

I have the Passport 2 and really love it. I also got it to take along with me. The even feed foot is great for piecing and quilting. By the time I put my other heavier,machine in a trolley it was too heavy to even lift into the car.
This machine I can carry easily.

I have a Passport 2 and have upgraded to a 3 just because of the scissors feature LOVE THEM BOTH giving passport 2 to the granddaughter

I have the passport 2.0 that I take to retreats and classes because it is lightweight and easy to carry. With its70 stitches I can do lots of decorative stitches too. I found a wonderful luggage type carrying case that was originally for scrap booking, was reduced significantly and use that for wheeling it wherever I want to go. The machine is sturdy enough that my two grands love using it with a little guidance from me. I Also have the pfaff 5.0...live that one too. Never any problems with either. Here is a photo of my wheelie case

I don't have any experience with the Babylock but I do own the Passport and I can tell you I am so impressed with it. Beside it being my "take to retreat" machine I love the way it handles everything from light weight cotton to many layers of fabric and quilt batting when making purses. I just plows right through. You can't beat the IDT and it has all my favorite decorative and applique stitches. Only thing I wish it had is the auto needle lift. Other than that it's perfect as a light weight general quilting/piecing/sewing machine.

Choose the machine you like the most since distance, support and cost seem comparable. Personally I would choose a different BL than Sophia since you have an embroidery machine. I have a BL Unity so my travel machine is a BL Elizabeth ( my dealer threw in the extension table but I was buying 2 machines and had a trade in). I wanted 2 BLs so I could interchange bobbins, feet etc. I used a Pfaff for a class and didn't care for it compared to my BLocks, but that's me.

I have the Pfaff Passport 2.0, it my travel machine. I really like it. It is good machine, it has the IDT(built in walking foot),70 stitches.
Sharon in Texas