I am wanting to purchase an inexpensive machine to take to quilt classes and UFO nights. I don't want to lug my Janome 6500 or my Janome 1600 around because they are too bulky/heavy.

I don't want to spend more than a couple of hundred on a machine that I won't use that much. What would ya'll recommend?

Look for a good working machine at a garage sale, you will find the prices reasonable, I am sure.

I bought a Singer Featherweight 221 ( made prior to 1940) just for purpose. I got it out today cause my "do eveything" machine bogged down on some thick seams. The Featherweight never misssed a stitch. Its light and easy to use. I got mine on E-bay for $285.

Try a Kenmore, some are like the Janome, and you could get a brand new one for under 200$, with warrenty and updated.

Hit the thrift shops or craigs list. Otherwise you can get a brother at WM for about $100. If you have 1in your area that still has fabrics.

Walmart may be a place to look. Here where I live, they have disposed of the fabric, but still have notions, sewing machines etc.
They carry Brothers and Singers.
Brothers are around $100.

where do you live.

the local quilt shop that does machine repairs often has good older machines. In fact I saw a portable Kenmore there the other day line the one my daughter got for graduation many many years ago. It was and still is a workhorse. It recently sold on ebay for $75

So look for a used from a reputable dealer.

I have been looking for a lighter weight machine just for the same reason. For workshop or sew-in. Kenmore makes a light weight on I saw several of them at a sewing machine store. $129.00 to 139.00. There are several other kind that are light weight. Janome has a new one that is 12 lbs but its $500.00. So just look around until you can find the one you really want.In your price range. I have seen some everyday that I look on craig's list. They will be brothers or singer. Some truddle.Or Kenmore's Good luck on your search. If your interested in buy from a store out of town pm me and I will tell you the name of the store that had the small kemores

Brother CS6000I 60-Stitch Computerized Free-Arm Sewing Machine with Multiple Stitch Functions
This is $150.86 and free shipping at Amazon

there is a singer featherweight on ebay for 199.99.
My suggestion is do not buy from the big box store. You will need service available.

The sad thing here is that I gave away my little Singer because it was having bobbin issues. Now I am KICKING myself! Oh well.... live and learn. I think I will go to a sewing and vacuum store and see if there are any trade-ins. Thanks!

I always look at garage sales too....never fails though, as soon as you buy one, you will see them all over! A trade in is a good idea, I always try to find used first!

A new portable Kenmore is the best buy unless you find a vintage Singer. I have the Janome Gem and it's great for classes and the Kenmores are just like it for 1/2 the cost.

quote=luvt2sing]Brother CS6000I 60-Stitch Computerized Free-Arm Sewing Machine with Multiple Stitch Functions
This is $150.86 and free shipping at Amazon[/quote]


I have this machine and it works really well, I have had no problems with it, and it is light enough to take anywhere! I have been using it now for almost 2 years and it has completed many many projects

Go to Allbrands.com
They usually ship free, no tax, and they back their machines.
I have purchased 4 machines for family and myself and have never been disappointed. Janome has some good computerized machines at reasonable prices.
Diana in TX

Wallmart has small cheaper straight stitch sewing machines under $100.00

I have this machine and it works really well, I have had no problems with it, and it is light enough to take anywhere! I have been using it now for almost 2 years and it has completed many many projects[/quote]

I have this machine as a second machine. I love it. It is lightweight and sews like a dream. It comes with a walking foot and darning foot and bobbins are easily found. The decorative stitches are lovely. IMO a good buy. I got mine at WM for $155 and had 90 days to return it if not satisfied. I had it shipped to my home. Couldn't have been any easier!

I also have a cheap Brother and you cant beat the quality for the price. Mine was a quilting machine and came with the walking foot and a plastic table. Got it at Tuesday Morning for 129 dollars. Its been a great machine with no problems. I now use it as my backup for my more expensive Viking.

I saw this new Janome the other day - it is a NICE machine! The best new feature they have on it is a thread cutter. It is more than you wanted to spend, though. Janome makes Kenmore machines and some of your feet would be interchangable, so that might be a good option for you.

Janome has several machine that have thread cutters. I love my 6600 for that reason....of course there are other features too. A less expensive Janome would be good, so your feet and attachments would fit, just make sure that your "low shank" or "high shank" match the machine you choose.
Diana

http://www.target.com/Hello-Kitty-Se.../dp/B000B8WSJ2

If I remember correctly, this is the equivalent of the Janome Jem and you can't really go wrong with a Janome for $100.

Allbrands has a brother CP6500 reg. $349 for $199 with free shipping. check out this connection to it http://www.allbrands.com/products/ab...tml#See%20Full
it is only 14 lbs. is computerized and has loads of features.
Diana

I also have the Brother 6000i; it's the lightest machine I've held, and if you have another Brother machine like I have, all the feet are interchangeable. I'm very happy with it.

I had a low-end Brother and it worked great. Passed it on to a friend and she is using it now.

I just purchased this from Sewing Machines Plus - Janome AQS-2009 - Quilters Combo w/ Extension Table & 4 Presser Feet - the total for everything was $389.00 with free shipping and I didn't have to pay taxes. I can't wait til it gets here... hopefully by Wednesday.

:-)

I have the Hello Kitty Janome badged as a pink Kenmore.

The boy's dad paid $100 for it 2 years ago. It's great cause it is very light weight.

I also have a 70's Singer Genie that I bought from a church for $15. It wieghs 19lbs. and I find it great if I am doing any machine quilting anywhere because it's surdy and has lots of room in the bed.
Both are low shank so the feet are interchangable.

Theresa

Misty,
Have you decided yet, what you are going to do?
Best wishes.
Diana

OK, for a real good, cheap, easy to maintain machine, get a Brother from WalMart - basic stitches, drop in bobbin. About $90.

My back up machine is 8 yrs old. I paid 100 dollars for it at Wal Mart. My main one is a refurbished model from Overstock.com and I paid 60 dollars for it.

I went to my Janome dealer and purchased a used Janome for my 7 year old daughter when she first started wanting to sew. It was used as a trade-in by it's previous owner and before I brought it home, the dealer serviced it for me. Now, both my girls have used Janome's and they love them.

I have a Brother CE-5000 PRW that I purchased at Walmart for around $125.00. It's light to haul around to classes etc. but has everything a quilter could want. I've taken it to "Free Motion" classes, Beginning Quilting classes , sewing classes and many other things and it has stood up well. It is a computerized machine that came with many attachment and the capabilities to do many types of stiches. I would recommend this machine to anyone. I just love it.

Bernina just came out with a little machine that would work. I think it might be in your price range. Also, check out Overstocked.com. They have some absolutely awesome deals on refurbished machines of many different brands, come with full warranty. DH just got me a little Brother CE4000 for $89 (to use while my Bernina is embroidering) and it really is a nice little machine, has 30 stitches, some 7mm. Shipping is always $2.95.

Good luck.

I bought a Baby Lock Audrey for taking to classes and traveling. I've been very pleased with it.

The RunWay by Brother.

Light weight and portable, it has extra stitches, just a nice little reasonable priced machine. Mine has the needle down function also.

Wal-mart just came out with the newest edition and had the older model for $109.00.

Look at resale shops for a good working machine

just remember that if you start a project in class with one machine you may need to continue making the project with the same machine when you get home. Machines must be reset to get consistent seam allowances. So if you start on one make sure the other is adjusted to get correct and consistence seams.

I got my singer confidence quilter for $300 on sale (which they go on sale a lot) but the Singer confidence one step down was around $200. I've also seen the singer confidence quilter for under $300. Just have to keep your eyes open and see what is on the market at the time you are ready. Let us know what you pick up. :-D

I would go with a Baby Lock for class work. I currently use a Janome D2010 at home.

I was thinking a Janome too, they make a little one that is very light weight. It would be perfect to take to classes. They don't cost that much, found them at Hancocks and they were very reasonably priced, under $200. I hadn't had my feather weight already that would be the way I would go. I love my featherweight.

Rita

I bought a Kenmore at Sears for $199 (you can buy cheaper) and, once I got used to it, have been pleased with it. I needed a case for it so I used my coupon at Joann's and picked up one of those soft-sided containers on wheels (sort of like luggage). It's a multi-use item either for crafting or sewing, etc. but a sewing machine fits in perfectly, plus leaves room for tools, thread, etc. around the sides of the machine and in the outside pockets.