nancyw

I have a Bernina 180 and a 550.

nancyw

I have a Bernia180 and Bernina 550 which she gave me free.

Olystar

Depending on your location, I would highly recommend a good local dealer in your area. They are worth their weight in gold if you have a problem, need repair or just help with using your machine. My shop is about 1 1/2 hrs away. They not only offer usage classes, but lots of other fun classes as well.

I purchased 6 different machines until I found my Brother Quattro which does everything including embroidery! (I didn't take the time up front to really determine my needs/use. An expensive way to go!) I have a lightweight Pfaff for taking to classes. Both were second hand machines purchased at about half the original price that were trade ins at the dealership. A trade in machine from a dealer is just as good as new from my experience.

Do as others have said and try many different machines....then buy what suits you best. Just like with cars...there are die hard fans of one brand or another. For me it ended up being able to have one machine that I can use to do most everything I would ever want to do. Make a list of the types of things you want a machine to do...go to the dealer and see all the possibilities. Then prioritize the list to give you a machine you can afford. If the dealer doesn't have what you want... ask them to let you know if they take one in on trade.

Have fun looking and take your time!
Olystar

Clmay

I have 4 sewing machines. My go to machine is singer 221. I love it. I also carry it with me on the go. I just purchased a Sophia 2 by babylock. It is an awesome machine. It includes embroidery. My 2 99k Singers I have not even touched yet. But I am an antique sewing machine collector.

Skyangel

Have you looked at the Bernina 215 for one that is lightweight and easy to take to classes? It regularly goes on sale for $699. It won't have decorative stitches or stitch regulator or embroidery, but does have the premium brand quality in a smaller simple package. You still get free classes and support no matter what level of Bernina you buy.

amyjo

I just bought a Singer Quantum 9660 and so far I like it. I have always had singers. Love the buggers. I only paid $350 for it and it was free shipping from Overstock.com warranty with it.

Jeanette Frantz

I would have to disagree with a Featherweight. The machine is a small machine, and I don't think it has enough power to handle quilting -- as expensive as those vintage machines are ($300-$1,000 on e-bay) that machine has a very small throat, so you would be almost forced to QAYG, but if that's what you want, I'd say that choice is up to you. The Featherweight machines, pricewise, have really gotten beyond their true worth -- don't get me wrong, I have a FW, and I love it for piecing. I just don't think the motor is powerful enough to handle quilting on a long-term basis. JMHO! I have a Singer 403-A, but I think it would be too heavy to cart around to meetings, etc. I know I don't lift it -- I scoot it around on the desk top, but I cannot lift it (I've had 2 back surgeries in the past 3 years). In fact, I don't even lift the FW -- it's just too much weight (the physical therapist says 5 pounds, the neurosurgeon says 10 pound limit, and I'm just playing it safe). The 403 is a wonderful machine and my son bought mine for $41 at the Good Will Store locally. I have a number of vintage machines, but my 328K, the 403-A, and the FW right now are my favorites, with the FW being limited to piecing.

You need to get the machine that is right for YOU, and the only way you'll find it is to go to the dealer(s) where you can actually use the machines, always making certain you can get service if it's needed (as it almost certainly will be at some point in time). Fortunately, my son worked as a SM Mechanic for 14 years, so I have a "resident" SM Mechanic who takes care of my machines.

purplefiend

I have the Pfaff Passport 2.0. It is a wonderful machine,weighs about 13 pounds, its my travel machine and does most everything that my full size Pfaff Quilt Expression 4.2. It has the built-in-walking foot(IDT), comes with all the feet I needed. Here's a link to the Pfaff website. http://www.pfaff.com/en-US/Machines/passport-2-0
It goes with me when I sew all day with my friends, for classes. I've had mine for 1 1/2 years, no problems with it.
Sharon in Texas

QuiltnLady1

My machine for taking to class is the Janome 3160 -- I use the Janome 7700 at home. My friend and quilting buddy uses the 3160 as her main machine. It has needle up/down, a thread cutter, and all the fun things that my big machine has but is only about 12 pounds. It is a bit more expensive than what you were looking at but you may be able to find it used for less.

Sewnoma

I am going to 3rd the recommendation for the Janome 3160QDC. I have 20+ sewing machines (mostly vintage) but my 3160 is the machine I take to classes that involve anything beyond basic piecing. It can definitely handle doing quilting! And I love that it has the scissor-cut button, for me that is a "must-have" feature for a modern machine! It's a quiet machine that moves very smoothly. To me it has a "deluxe" feel to it - not rattly or cheap-feeling like a lot of modern machines can be. I'm spoiled by all my vintage steel machines that are built like tanks...for a modern machine the 3160 feels very solid and well-built to me.

It's probably right at the top of your price range, though.