Straight stitch, light weight machine
 

What is your all time fav straight stitch, light weight, manual sewing machine?

I’m sure feather weight Singer is #1. Now think deeper and add #2.


A second question is similar. What is your favorite sewing machine for taking to group sewing? OK, now give #2.

I am enjoying my Baby Lock Joy. Lightweight. Stitches aren't perfectly straight like the featherweight stitches. Slight offset on one end. Easy to thread, super small throat so not for quilting; just piecing or quilting small 12" blocks. Price point is under $300. If you have a big box store they probably have a lightweight equivalent for under $200. I am hoping that the Joy will be longer lasting than my big box store Singer. Time will tell. But a lightweight for taking to meetings was critical so I settled on the Joy after playing with the multiple brand options at my LQS. It sang to me as I pressed along.

I have a Kenmore mechanical that is really a Janome inside. Just love that little workhorse.

Actually I prefer my Singer 301 to my featherweight.

I have a janome never thought feitherweight was light enough for me

I have my little FW that travels with me. I was able to get it for under $200.00 on Shopgoodwill.com. It's an auction site so you don't know right away if you won the auction or not. Also I bought one on EBay - that was because I didn't know how to get out of it once I was notified from Goodwill. So my sister ended up with that one. Both worked great. But go and test drive a few. My sister had a Brother machine that was considered a quilting machine, it came with the extension table and lasted her 20+ years. They still make it. I found it on Amazon. There are a lot out there. Let us know what you decide.

I can carry around my little Bernina 230. It really doesn't weigh any more than a featherweight.

I was just thinking of my 301. I like my FW's but the 301 is a great substitute.

Any basic Brother machine. I have several in different places. All Work great

I have had several Janomes that travel well. Mine is 12 pounds and has several decorative stitches, free motion capabiliby, comes with extension table, etc. - I keep my current one in my car for classes, travel, etc. Why so many? I've given one to my son, another to a woman who couldn't afford a machine, etc. But keep coming back to the Janome's.

I travel with my Singer 301. It's a much better machine than the Featherweight and only weighs 16 lbs, just 5 pounds more than a featherweight.

My workhorse machine is my Singer 4423 Heavy Duty. Would not trade her for any other. I do not have a machine that I travel with as it would not go down the sidewalk in good condition due to all the bumping of the cracks.

It's not lightweight but this small green machine is like a Featherweight on steroids. The Singer 185 J. it's not much bigger then a FW. I found it for $25 at a local machine repair shop. The owner never came to pick it up and the guy said nothing was wrong with it, he gave it a good going over and cleaning. Wanted to sell it as it was very heavy for such a small machine. I have a white Featherweight I take to every retreat as a back up machine. It has saved the day for quiet a few quilters including myself. Sometimes someone just wants to sew with it to see how a FW can be.

https://external-content.duckduckgo....9d7&ipo=images

Thanks for the comments. I keep reading.

I've always wanted a 185 J. I keep looking at estate sales, but so far no luck. Some day . . .

my singer 404 for mechanical.
I sold my featherweight to get a Eversewn for travel, I LOVE that little machine.

Has anyone tried or have the newish Janome Travel 30? It weighs about 10lbs, seemed to have a nice even stitch. I love the red color.

I have/had an Eversewn 30 and its perfect for travel. My daughter borrowed it and still has it. When the Eversewn models first came out I bought the 30 with every foot and ext table for a special promotional price of $249 online. I bought it because I loved the rose gold color. It is a very good lightweight machine. I have one of the first Janome Jems too and it has never given me one problem. My grands use it to sew.

When I say straight stitch, I mean it does not zig zag. The motion of the hook is different on a straight stitch only machine, giving a straight line, not a slanted stitch.

so beside featherweight, what machines do straight stitch only. No zig zag.

I bet that Singer 185J is a straight stitch-only machine. My BL Joy has lots of different stitches so it isn't a straight-only machine.

The Singer 301 is straight stitch only.

I bought a Brother from Amazon, it's light weight, has some nice decorative stitches. It was around $250. It works great, doesn't bounce and I've made tote bags with it, no problems going over thick seams. My friend bought a small Janome from a local sewing store.She paid just under $1,000. We take them to our sewing club where we all sew on those 6' long tables. Her Janome bounces horribly and she wishes she had purchased a cheap Brother.

I am just wondering if there Is even a modern lightweight straight stitch machine in the market. I know there are plenty of straight stitch vintage but not all are light weight and one just doesn't go shopping and get one. The straight stitch Brother is the PQ1500 and weighs I think around 25 lbs. I take it to sit and sew because I like it but it is not light weight

I bet that Singer 185J is a straight stitch-only machine.

Yes it is, like the Featherweight but is a Heavyweight. The cover that attaches to the base is all metal too. It's bad heavy. THere is no click clack sound when sewing, just purrs like a tiger.

I think you’re right. There isn’t a modern lightweight straight stitch in the market.
But I’m hoping.

Hey Manufacturers! Need a new idea to market? Here’s a new-old idea.

301 is my second choice. Straight stitch only. Beautiful stitch. Fairly light and easy to move.