I am in the market for a small, lightweight sewing machine and have become aware that Singer is making a new Fatherweight. Is 2011 the 1st year the new ones are being made? Has anyone purchased one and if so, do you like it? What are the pros and cons of owning this machine? Thanks in advance for your comments.

No, this is not the first year for them. Singer re-cycled the featherweight name quite a few years ago. The new featherweight isn't that great. If you can afford it, I would get a Janome Jem instead -- very lightweight and portable.

Thank you for the information. I will check into the Janome Jem.

I have the Janome 3160 -- it is 12 pounds, like the Jem, but it has more stitches and a thread cutter. It also feels more solid than the Jem Platinum 720 I had before.

Ditto what Prism said.

Personally, I wouldn't buy a new Singer period. My opinion.