With christmas around the corner I find myself thinking of gifts my kids can get for me. I am the type that normally goes out and buys what I want when I want it. Right about now my DH and kids start to nag, I mean ask me what I would like. It is a real struggle. Now mind you I am not complaining its just hard.

Anyway I have been working with a friend teaching her the basics of sewing and quilting. We have been meeting at her home. Taking my Bernina QE is not an option for travel too heavy let alone I would hate to jar up the electronics. I was thinking a light weight sewing machine would be nice.

I just don't know which one. I am thinking of a machine that is about $150-$200. I don't want a reall expensive one I would only use it when traveling.

You are all such a wealth of information, thanks for your help.
Have a great day,
Denise

Sew and Vac has some reasonably priced ones. Check with your dealers they may have one that was turned in as a trade. Why not a Bernette???

Get a 221 Singer Featherweight since family wants to buy you one. Check on Ebay and such. They are lightweight and a real work horse. :D :D

The Janome Jem line of sewing machines has a really good rep among quilters, and they are lightweight. Here are some websites for them:

http://www.sewingroom.com/jem.htm

http://www.sewvacdirect.com/janome660jem.html

http://www.rosiescalicocupboard.com/

They vary in price depending on features. I think the Jem Gold Plus is the newest one with the most features.

I have a sears Kenmore that is a dream workhorse, fairly lightweight, that I carry when traveling.

I swear by my Janome Gem. It weighs only 11 pounds. I take it to classes all the time. It's highly portable and a real little workhorse. An expert quilter recommended it to me, so I purchased it for $199.00. It is the ONLY machine I have and I love it.

I agree with Prism, you can not go wrong with Janome Jem line. I have 3 Janome and one Bernina and love them all, but my favorite for picking up and going is the Jem Silver.
Good Luck,

me too!

there's another current thread on the exact same subject. see if you can hunt it down to read further comments.


edit - here you go:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/28006.page

redrummy - what model Kenmore do you have? I keep checking the Sears and Kenmore sites hoping they'll have a Jem equivalent. Thank you for the info.
Mary Ellen

model # 385.12102 just a basic sewing machine, but light enough to carry when needed.

Thank you. I'll check it out.
Mary Ellen

I have both a Janome Jem and a Brother 900D. I like them both very much. However, the Brother machine has many more features than the Janome and doesn't weigh that much more. It also is an embrodery machine. I carry it to all my classes and to my Quilt Guild.

I just bought a singer featherweight through Ebay, I was lucky I got it for $180, but actually that was a steal. I could not believe it when it said I was the winner. The Singer Featherweight 221 is a great quilting machine. Although most that are in great shape you would be lucky if you can get one for $300-350.

I have a Brother ES-2000 that is lightweight and has quite a few features. It sews well, and is great for piecing. For any quilting, I use my Pfaff, as it is the heavier machine. My MC 6000 is also good for quilting.