I often take classes and hate to lug my huge machine to them. Can anyone recommend a nice inexpensive more portable machine to take to classes? I would prefer some quilting options.

If you have dealerships in your area, try going there and asking about lightweight used machines. Featherweights and smaller old Berninas are expensive, of course, but there are other small vintage machines that are quite nice. I have a small vintage Singer from the 1970s (I can tell from the yellow and orange flower decorations!) that is very compact in its little case, lightweight, and has a number of different stitches.

Janome sells a machine for less then $400. with a few quilting options. I think it is called the Janome Platium and it weighs about 12#. Check with your local (or nearby) dealer for a machine. Marge

Brother has a lightweight machine that is wonderful that is approx $350, the Innovis 40, last month Consumer Reports gave it a Best Buy rating.
It is only available from Brother dealers, and it is always best to buy from a dealer when possible.

That being said I have a Brother CS6000i from Walmart that was approx. $170 that I take to classes or sewing days away from home. It is fantastic, sews great, many decorative stitches, very lightweight. I did have to have the foot pedal/machine connection fixed twice due to a loose something or other but it was still under warrenty & a dealer fixed it without a fee.
If I didn't already have that machine I'd buy the Innovis 40 in a heartbeat.
Maire

Thank you all for the feed back. I think I may check out walmart, as that is a good price. quilting is an expensive hobby, but I love it!

Baby lock has a small machine too. I have not tried it, but recently I was at a quilt show looking at one and as quilters walked by and saw me looking at it. I can't tell you how many said I have that machine and love it.

Every brand offers a small starter or mini machine, just check them out.
some have more features than others.

If Walmart doesn't have the CS6000i in the stores anymore they do have it at their Web store.
Maire

I have a Janome Gem and it's great for classes. I now have a Singer Featherweight and that's all I take to classes/workshops. I love it. I bought my granddaughter a Hello Kitty 3/4 size and it's a great machine. It is not a toy. Many quilters have them to travel with! Also check the Kenmore portable machines.

If you can get your hands on a little Feather Weight I highly recommend it! You can't machine quilt with it, but it is great for piecing.