Need your help: Which lightweight machine for quilting class?
 

My primary machine is a Janome 6700P (which I love.) I want to add a lighter machine (up to 15 lbs.) for classes. I'm budgeting $400-$600. Looking at Janome 3160 and Pfaff Passport 3.0. Have heard some mixed reviews, so I would love your thoughts on these or other comparable machines. Thanks!

Hi CSB
I love Janome machines. I have the 6600 and purchased the 3160 as a lightweight "travel" machine. I have had no problems with it and have had it for 5 years. I traded a Gold Jem in for it. It weighs about 12 lbs and sews beautifully. The advantage to staying with the same brand is that the learning curve is very very small and the feet are interchangeable. The 6600 is a 7mm machine and so is the 3160 so I can use the same feet on both. Don't know if the 6700 is a 7 or 9mm or whether that would factor in for you. But I don't think you can go wrong with a Janome.....just saying.

Stick with Janome. You are already very familiar with it. I have the Janome 8200 for home, and the DC 1050 for classes.

I am also thinking of the smaller Janome for classes/travel too. Like Zozee posted, since we already own the larger Janome and have always been happy with it, it would be ideal for me to buy a smaller one.

I have many Janomes. Skyline 7, 8900, 11000, 15000, 6600, 3160, 4120. I use 3160 and 4120 for class. Both have needle up needle down, thread cutter...two things I find I need in quilt classes. Both are reasonable weight. 12-14 lbs. 4120 has double the built in stitches. I never use those in class. I would go with Janome as recommended by others....of course, I am a Janome Girl.

I take my Featherweight

I have the Pfaff 3.0 love the built in walking foot. I use it all the time and I must say I can see a difference in the stitching , verses my other machines. Has nice features that come with it and it is light weight. Look for dealer support also when buying a new machine.

Many of my friends and I have had wonder luck with the Brother cs6000i. A woman in my quilt group in Florida just purchased one after seeing mine.

I recently purchased the 6700. It is a 9mm. Love it.....too heavy to take anywhere!! I bought a Necci to have a light weight machine to take to classes. Beautiful stitches......but.....Wish I had bought a Janome because of the learning curve as zozee said, “You are already very familiar with it”.

The 3160 is a little work horse with automatic thread cutter, needle up down and speed control.