Sewing machine recommendation
 

Hello!

I’m so excited... I just won a ticket to a sewing retreat next month. It’s a weekend getaway and we will be making a bag one day and a quilted cathedral pillow the other day.

I have one problem, I need to figure out how to get a sewing machine there and my machine (I only own one) is a brother dream machine so is huge. It would cost me 75.00 each way to take it with me and I would have to trust it to the baggage people in cargo which I think it a really scary idea.

My husband suggested that I try to find a local shop to rent me a machine... alternately I’ve thought perhaps if I can’t find that I might need to buy an inexpensive travel machine.... I thought maybe I could have it shipped there then would only need to pay to bring it home and if it is small enough perhaps it could be a carry on?

Has anyone traveled with their machine? How was it?
What machine is a good value and sturdy enough to sew thick layers? (Bag and quilt will require layers of interfacing, batting etc.)
Which machines travel well?

Any and all suggestions, comments, ideas are welcome!

TIA! :)

Congratulations on winning the ticket! I like your husbands idea about renting a machine. I've never been lucky enough to fly away to a quilting retreat so I have no further advice!

My Walmart brother sews through thick layers. It's the sq9050 but has been replaced by the sq9185

I would buy an inexpensive machine thru Walmart. Pick it up at a store near your retreat and then pack it in a carryon or checked bag to get it home. My DD flew her little machine several times in a small suitcase with fabric and clothing packed tightly around it

My friend flew with a small (Walmart) Brother sewing machine. She and I have both used it and it sews really well for an inexpensive machine. It fit as a carry on for her when she flew.

If you buy one in your retreat town just save the box and styrofoam and repack the machine in it for the trip home.

Even the low end Janome and Brothers have a good reputation, but would definitely stay away from Singers.

That's my thought....I'd take it one step further and just UPS the machine home after the retreat instead of carrying it or checking it on the plane.

I have a heavy duty Singer that I got at Walmart. Cheap and a great machine. I've sewed like crazy with it for a couple of years and had no trouble with it at all.

After seeing the pics of UPS delivery people tossing packages around, I'm not sure I'd send a machine UPS.

That being said, my husband has bought me a few vintage machines that were delivered by the post office and came thru well so I don't know.