Need a machine to take to guild and classes-suggestions
 

I have a Brother Laura Ashley and I love it. I want a smaller take along machine(my older Elna is getting older and tired). I would like a Pfaff because it has the drop down walking foot. However, the Brother dealership in my area is just a better place to go. Is the pfaff walking foot worth it.
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Absolutely! I didn't make friends with my first Pfaff (turned out to be faulty and was replaced) but now I wouldn't have any other brand.

Last year I went to a quilt show with the intention of possibly buying a top of the range Bernina (already had the Pfaff 4.0), but when I discovered I would still have to use a walking foot (at a cost of an extra $160!), I bought a Pfaff Performance 5 instead. Love it.

For a take along, look at the Pfaff Passport - a lot of machine for your money imho. Happy quilting.

I have a Pfaff Passport as a machine to take to classes. It weighs about 13 pounds. I got it when it first came out (almost 2 years ago) and have had zero problem with it. Love everything about it except that you have to unscrew to clean out bobbin case. I LOVE their 1/4" foot with guide and yes, I love the attached walking foot.

I couldn't figure out why anyone would want a walking foot until I figured out that my idt was what everyone meant. I can't imagine not having it. It is wonderful and I don't have to put some big clunky attachment on, its just there and getting used pretty much all of the time.

I have a Janome Platinum Jem. Love it! It weighs about 10 lb. and has all the features of my larger Janome and uses the same feet. It also fits into my carry on suitcase!! Following the advice of the sales person, I kept the Styrofoam packaging. I then modified the half that fits over the front of the machine, so that it fit around the pull-handle gear on the inside of the suitcase. Just meant marking and cutting a couple of channels. I also had to trim one end to accomodate the wheel housing. After I finished, I put the Styrofoam into a bag (to keep all those little crumbs from migrating everywhere.) large enough to still let me seat the machine. Click and tighten the straps and my baby doesn't move. I cushion the top with whatever fabric I need for the class. Next week we're taking a 3 hour flight for a retreat!

I have a friend that has the Pfaff Passport and she loves, loves it. Since you like Pfaff I'd take the time to check out this machine. My friend has other manufactures but says she loves the Passport

I have an older Janome Jem Gold, Featherweight, and Singer 301. I take one of them to classes and workshops depending on what type of sewing I will be doing. I would check out the Elna portable machine. I sewed on one and it's a dream.

This is what I got also. Got it when they first came out & on introductory sale with extras added and 20% off any Pfaff accessories I buy [bobbins, feet, etc.] It has the dual feed I need to keep sewing.

I have the Babylock Audrey---she is a great little portable machine and only weighs 8 pounds!!!

My favorite is my featherweight. It is an awesome straight stitch only machine, small, light weight and cute to boot!

My favorite is the same brand as my main machine. Similarities make it easier for me.

Pfaff machines are great. When I changed brands it was because of a very unfriendly dealer. She wanted to show me what it would do but didn't want me to check it out for myself. Hasn't changed my love for my Pfaff 7550.

I have a Bernina 180 that I take.

Can't beat a Featherweight. I love mine. Face it, when I go to a class I only straight stitch anyway. Featherweights are beautiful, a part of history, mechanical (which means I can do the maintenance) and don't cost as much as the name brand plastic machines.

If you have a costco nearby, get the Brother sewing machine they sell. That's what I did for a travel machine. It's a low price, has needle up/down, etc. And if I drop/break it while traveling, it was only $150 down the tubes, and not the thousands I spent on my Bernina.

I agree....I take my featherweight or my 301......love them both

I have a Pfaff and the IDT is AWESOME! You just drop your needle and go! Most of the time I don't even have to change the foot I'm using, let alone the hassle of removing the shaft and fussing with the parts of the usual walking foot! My machine is the quilters expression 4.0 and it's pretty big heavy to tote to the shop. I know they just came out with a new PFaff that is smaller and simplified. I'm not sure about the IDT though.

If your Elna is one of the older mechanical machines, I votefor a good servicing and saving your money. My second choice would be a SingerFeatherweight 221 or Singer slant 301.

I have a Babylock Grace which I use for classes, and I'm pleased with it.

I'm number 4 (maybe 5) for a featherweight. Love mine, and it is sooooo cute.

Have to go with the featherweight crowd. Only 10 lbs makes it an easy choice. And I love the history behind them. If I use the "lil foot" (brand name) as a guide for the 1/4" on the featherweight it exactly matches my Bernina 880. I have switched back and forth between machines with no problem at all.

I'll put my vote in for the Pfaff. I have the Passport as well as the Performance 2056. I don't think there is a big difference in weight, as the Performance isn't a very large machine. If you can get a used one, it would probably be a good deal. I find that I have more control of the speed with the foot lever on the Performance, but the Passport is great, too. I will definitely stick with Pfaff because of the IDT.

If you don't already have a Pfaff, then that would be a good choice, just to have the IDT system. There really is no comparison to any of the walking feet out there.

Otherwise, go with another Brother, so that your bobbins and familiarity are the same as at home.

I have a featherweight also and it is adorable. But - it took me literally years to find since I didn't want to
pay hundreds of dollars. If you don't come across a good condition featherweight, I and a good number of the members here are happy with the basic Brother Machines. They are inexpensive and simple to operate. The manuals are well written and you don't need special lessons to use them.

I purchased a husqvana viking 100q primarily to take to workshops. Love the small machine, no use for quilting a quilt top as throat to small. One other disadvantage you may not like is the lack of being able to do a blanket stitch if you use this for applique. It fixes beginnings and ends, needle will move you do need a walking foot. And it does have some fancy stitches.

Pfaff for sure. you do not have to use the walking foot I have the Passport for classes and the 5.0 for home. Have had others makes but love the Pfaff the best of all.

Always took along the featherweight until I just recently acquired a 301......love everything about my new 301, slightly bigger, nice stitches, and easy to handle!