I too am a big fan of Brother machines to take to classes or sewing days at church. I have the HC1850, I think I paid about $175. on Amazon. Overstock also sells Brother sewing machines. I have purchased several feet for mine on Amazon and at sewingpartsonline.com.

I have the Brother CS6000i that I bought for about $150 from Target online (was actually cheaper than Amazon at the time). I got it so the feet would be interchangeable with my larger Brother. The feet are, but the bobbins are not. My large machine is from 2002 so that could be why. The CS6000i has been a great machine for taking to classes. The only thing I miss from the larger machine is the auto-threadcutter.

Me too and I have the 6200D but use my Walmart brother way more since I sew a lot at my in laws before work

The best class and travel machine I have found is the Eversewn Sparrow 30. Every feature I want on this machine plus extension table for about $350. There was on special sale at a local Bernina shop for $300 and all sold out in less then two hours.

I have a Babylock Sofia that I purchased for about $400 about 6 years ago. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles of my $5000.00 Babylock Elegante, but it's a good machine. It also does embroidery, and does as good a job as my big machine. The Sofia is lightweight and easy to carry, but has a a lot of built in stitches, needle down, and auto thread cutter as well as other features.

. I think i know what you mean about the auto-threader. I can't seem to master mine either. I just do it the old fashioned way. My machine is a Babylock Sofia, and the auto-threader is the only problem i have with it.

My backup machine is a 301A. It is dependable, has a carry handle, drop-down long bed and only weighs 16 pounds. This was my very first machine when I started quilting classes. It is over 60 years old and has stood the test of time. And, I only paid $75 for it.

i too love a vintage machine. I have collected a lot of them over the years. I have a 201,301, 401, two featherweights etc. But it took me a long time to come upon them when I was collecting. I didn’t need a machine at that time. It is just so hit or miss and a lot of looking at estate sales, garage sales, and flea markets to find a vintage machine that doesn’t need a lot of work, at a reasonable price, near enough to be able to look at it.

I would also take a look at the Janomes. Whatever feet you would need in a class would come with the machine. I keep all of the feet for my machines, with that machine...no mixing. I do purchase specialty feet for my machines, but those too, stay with that machine. The only thing I share among the machines are the bobbins. Janome 3160 and 4120 are great for class. Since piecing is normally what we do in class, up/down needle feature and thread cutter are a must for me. There are some specials out there for the 3160Q with the quilt "bundle", that includes a walking foot and other quilting feet and accessories.

Thanks, everyone! Good to know that the low end Brothers are good class machines.