The 201 is a heavy powerful machine. If you want to take a machine to class, get the 301. I bought my 201 to mend coveralls and replace zippers in heavy duc work jackets because my Janome 6500 kept balking and growling at these jobs. The 301 is completely different and some people refer to it as the Featherweight's big sister. I have mine packed in a new sewing machine bag (original case was ok but musty smelling) ready to take out to our guild Community Quilt days.