I would not suggest a toy machine. Most collectors suggest that even children not be taught on a toy machine. I would suggest you find a Singer 99 and convert it to a HC. Not light like a featherweight or chainstitcher though. Other alternative is a Singer 301 which is aluminum and light. It also has a handle. Not a chainstitch, but straight stitch.

I am with you Maria, I would not recommend a toy machine to actually sew with. And surely not to learn to sew with one. See you at Toga.
Skip

I feel fortunate to have a good one.

Jon

Do you specifically want a chain stitch machine or do you just want a small, light sewing machine?
Rodney

Funny, I've been thinking about you Rodney, And your woodworking skills...

If I hate it and Glen and Farmhousesewer are right, I'll have a cute machine I can put back on ebay, no loss.

But yes. For my specific use, on a tray, in the forest I'm thinking it will work out great.
A chain stitch is simple to lock, and in piece work the blocks except the the outer edges are all stitched across.

I bought a 50's Sewhandy 20, no plastic, like new condition. I'll keep you posted!

And I'm still thinking about converting my featherweight, which I don't care for, into a hand crank. After all I have all the parts I need (brave talk) on the 127.. That is doable, right? But my one concern is 14 pounds on my lap might get heavy after a little while, hence the thought train about the toys.

I would interject that If "I" was buying a chainstitcher it would be a W&G only. Their locking chainstitch is VERY strong and with some patient watching, the handcrank version can be had for as low as 100-300 They are SO silent, smooth, and lightweight.

The best more modern (non-featherweight) solution I know of is a Singer handcrank on a Bel-Air Bantam. It is a Singer 99 clone (3/4 Size) and aluminum body so very light.

Hey, thanks for those suggestions Steve. I slobbered over the W&Gs for some weeks, but considering where I intend to use one I opted for an easily found affordable one. Having zero experience in the field, I also couldn't be sure if all the parts were there and how expensive they would be. Dropping my tray on the rocks or dirt is a distinct possibility.

I didn't realize the Bantam was alum. thanks.

edited to add: having done a quick perusal here, JMiller said he had a badged Sewmor 303 in a bantam thread.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...o-t240528.html

I'd have to ask what they weighed wouldn't I, to know if it was alum or cast.
Asking questions is what I do best :)

Here is the thread where we got a Bantam set up for my Student who was deployed. Sent it to him with motor and hand crank so he could do either THREAD

Edited to add link to local Bantam http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/atq/5131580419.html

The Singer handcrank won't fit on a featherweight. Featherweights use a different motor and mounting position than the older Singers did. Featherweights don't have the boss on the back.
There is a guy selling handcrank kits made with the crank off aluminum windows but that's only a direct drive, not the 3 to 1 ratio a Singer handcrank has.
Here's the link. http://www.ebay.com/itm/221-Singer-H...item2c9e77fc2f
Rodney

There are battery operated sewing machines out there. Just Googled. Tried copy and paste (wouldn't let me)one for $69 with multiple said nothing about being a toy. It's 10x4x10. Uses 4 AA batteries.