Instead of a Featherweight, I bought the Kenmore equivalent, which is the Model 1040, because it also does zigzag stitches. It weighs 20 lbs. inside the lovely rose embossed case, isn't super quiet, but not really noisy either. I'd say it's just average on a noise scale. But the motor is stronger than that of a Featherweight, too. It's an all metal, no frills workhorse, easy to self oil and maintain.