Recommendations for a sewing machine for classes and retreats
 

My machine is too heavy for me to lift. I am interested in getting a small machine for classes, guild workdays, retreats, etc. After looking and research I am at a loss for what is the best machine for me.

I have looked at machines in the big box stores, new & used at dealers, and on ebay. What is your recommendation for a travel machine? (Cost is a BIG factor!)

Thank you.
Jo Ann

What is your budget? It's difficult to recommend without knowing this first :)

I love my brother SQ-9050 from walmart. I use it all the time when
I travel, my dreamy is 50lbs so thats why I have my small machine

I just got a new Singer Prelude at Goodwill yesterday for $50. Last week they had $159.00 on it and I called them on it. They are retail for $130 on line. It is small and much better to take to class.

A singer 221 gets my vote, I love mine, and so nice and
Iight

Knowing your budget is important. My traveling machine right now is my little Europro. My husband bought it for me from HSN. It has a few stitches, has the acrylic table to go with it and is very light weight. It is in a case with wheels from Joann's that I got on sale. It gets used about 3 times a year so I can't say it is a work horse but it travels well. I also have 2 FW machines. They work very well, only straight stitch (both of them have reverse) but when I travel I don't need a lot of stitches.

My Europro cost about $110.00 after tax, shipping & handling. My little VW's were $180 to $300.00. There is a cute Janome Gem that I was looking at but finally decided I didn't need it. My sister has the Brother quilting machine she got at Costco - it comes with the extended table - she loves it and has had it for years! She took it to classes until I gave her a FW.

I would make a list of the features you can't live without. I would go to the dealer of the machine you currently have and see if they have any used machines that fit the bill. By staying with the same manufacturer, you can use the same feet on both machines. If you just need a straight stitch, I would look at a singer 99, or 99 clone. It's a bit bigger than a featherweight, and usually quite a bit less expensive.

About 50$ at TARGET. I bought one to keep at my son's house across the country. 6 years later it still works. The cheapest SINGER at TARGET.

Consider picking a machine that's the same brand as your main machine, so that bobbins and possibly also feet will be interchangeable.

Look at Janome 2212 sold at Amazon for $149.

Agree the 2212 is a solid machine. At the $200 price-point, there's also the Janome Jem Gold which is 3/4 sized and lots of people like that one...There are several mechanical Elnas that are similar to the Janomes but do have adjustable presser foot pressure. Lots of people like the Brother machine Dolphyngirl mentioned (SQ9050) and the Brothers tend to have more stitches than Elna/Janome. At around $400, Viking makes HQ100 and Janome has the Platinum 720 or 760 at $500. I like Janome brand..have and use 2 of them so I bought the My Style 100 for compatibility's sake. It's basic but does have drop-feed, adjustable width on ZZ and adjustable length w/ top handle. Has good power and slightly bigger than the Jem types. Really any machine you like that you are comfortable carrying works for classes. I see ppl w/ very high-end machines, some with very old vintage of all types, a few FW's, newish Singers and lots of mid-line Janomes. Things to consider: if your must-haves include variable needle position..many at $300 and under don't have that..as well many don't have adjustable pressure, adjustable width/length, no auto thread-cutters or needle up/down or a blanket stitch.. so if those things are important, you will probably spend more. I just wanted a small, light, simple, durable and reasonably quiet machine w/ a handle and a drop-in bobbin bc i have features on other machines i technically could take out but prefer not to.

My budget will allow up to $300 but would like to stay $200 or less. That is what me thinks I can get more features on a used machine than a new one. I have Baby Lock machines and would love to have a Baby Lock or Brother.

Thanks for the post. I have been looking too for a lightweight DSM. Both of my are older Bernina and they are too heavy for me to lift and transport to the church sewing group.

You sound like me. I wanted to spend $200 or less but thought I would go up to $300. I ended up getting a Janome Magnolia. I have only taken it with me 2 times, but so far so good

I love my Janome Jem Platiinum. Never gives me problem. Weighs about 11#. God luck on your search

I just purchased a Brother at Costco - for $134.99, to take on a retreat. I went to Office Max and found a roller bag it fit in. Carried it nicely on the airplane. Only weights 9.2 pounds. It sewed like a charm. Check it out - I think they are only on sale until the end of November. Good luck and let us know what you end up with.

I have the Brother SQ9000. Probably weighs the same as Dolphyngyrl's. It is a wonderful machine, and mine was only $199 at Walmart.

The little Brothers from WalMart is a nice lightweight machine and not expensive. If you have the money, I love my little Featherweight for classes. Janome also has a small lightweight machine. Good luck.

I'm with Leaha
Or one of those WalMart smaller machine?

If your budget allows, the Pfaff Passport 2.0. It includes the IBT (built-in-walking foot).

Depends on the features you want. I would not purchase from WalMart....they were carrying cheaply made Brothers, no steel frame, plastic...and they do not provide any back up or service. They make you go to the mfg. then you might as well toss it due to shipping costs. A good used Janome from a dealer would work well. I have a 3160 and now a 4120....but I have to have the auto thread cutter for class. Most of the time I am doing piecing in these classes...so the thread cutter and knee lift are important...these two machine are 11 lbs. Start with your local dealer.
Also check out allbrands.com.......they usually have some great buys for $300 and under....plus no sales tax and most of the time free shipping.

Brother has 3 on sale now, the one I am getting from Santa does 70 stitches and it is $199, this is going to my BOM classes for my teacher makes fun of my featherweight and it only does a straight stitch but I love my featherweight and her two sister I own. The other two on sale are $ 169 and $149 if my memory is correct all these are at our local Brother shop. I want a Brother scan and cut does anyone have one and do they like it?

I purchased a small Janome at Hancock's for $49 when on sale. It does straight and zigzag, uses a 1/4 inch
featherweight foot. I can lift it with 2 fingers which is important as I have multiple bulging discs.

This is absolutely right on. Wish I had considered doing so.

Somebody mentioned a Singer 99, and I love mine, but I certainly wouldn't call it lightweight. That thing is like a boat anchor!! :)

A couple of places to check out that nobody seems to have mentioned. Overstock.com has some great deals on machines; I bought an embroidery machine and a serger from them. Get on their e-mail list because they send frequent discounts that can generally be used on anything. Another source you might check is wawak.com. They also frequently discount machines.

And just because I feel compelled to mention this every time the subject comes up... this was verified by someone on this very board who called directly to a manufacturer. The idea that machines made for big-box stores or for home shopping networks are made differently is a MYTH. Thus, a Brother is a Brother.... a Singer is a Singer... and so forth. They're all made in the same factories. You may find slightly different models of machines in different places, but it would be cost-prohibitive for manufacturers to set up different factories, one with cheaper materials. So if anybody tells you that (including a dealer) it's bunk. :)

Thank you for the suggestions. I will let you know what I get ... when I get one. Again, Thank you

[QUOTE=DonnaC;6977111
And just because I feel compelled to mention this every time the subject comes up... this was verified by someone on this very board who called directly to a manufacturer. The idea that machines made for big-box stores or for home shopping networks are made differently is a MYTH. Thus, a Brother is a Brother.... a Singer is a Singer... and so forth. They're all made in the same factories. You may find slightly different models of machines in different places, but it would be cost-prohibitive for manufacturers to set up different factories, one with cheaper materials. So if anybody tells you that (including a dealer) it's bunk. :)[/QUOTE]

You are exactly right. There are specially ordered models made, like the Project Runway machines that may have a specific set of features or come in pretty colors, but they are still made just the same. The machines for the most part that the big box stores carry are typically the lower end machines that the dealers don't want to carry in their stores because they make their money off the high end machines. In my area the only time any of the dealers have low end machines in the store is around Christmas time. Unless a model is an exclusive for HSN or whoever, a dealer can order any of the models the big box stores or other vendors sell. They just don't want to. It's all about the benjamins.


As for the comment made about Walmart machines not having a steel frame, do some research. You'll be very surprised to learn which low end machines have a full frame in them and which high dollar machines don't.

Cari

I agree with Sewnoma. My big machine and my travel machine are both Brothers.