MistyMarie

I am wanting to purchase an inexpensive machine to take to quilt classes and UFO nights. I don't want to lug my Janome 6500 or my Janome 1600 around because they are too bulky/heavy.

I don't want to spend more than a couple of hundred on a machine that I won't use that much. What would ya'll recommend?

Pam

Look for a good working machine at a garage sale, you will find the prices reasonable, I am sure.

erstan947

I bought a Singer Featherweight 221 ( made prior to 1940) just for purpose. I got it out today cause my "do eveything" machine bogged down on some thick seams. The Featherweight never misssed a stitch. Its light and easy to use. I got mine on E-bay for $285.

smtp5

Try a Kenmore, some are like the Janome, and you could get a brand new one for under 200$, with warrenty and updated.

cjomomma

Hit the thrift shops or craigs list. Otherwise you can get a brother at WM for about $100. If you have 1in your area that still has fabrics.

DebsShelties

Walmart may be a place to look. Here where I live, they have disposed of the fabric, but still have notions, sewing machines etc.
They carry Brothers and Singers.
Brothers are around $100.

Holice

where do you live.

the local quilt shop that does machine repairs often has good older machines. In fact I saw a portable Kenmore there the other day line the one my daughter got for graduation many many years ago. It was and still is a workhorse. It recently sold on ebay for $75

So look for a used from a reputable dealer.

texas granny

I have been looking for a lighter weight machine just for the same reason. For workshop or sew-in. Kenmore makes a light weight on I saw several of them at a sewing machine store. $129.00 to 139.00. There are several other kind that are light weight. Janome has a new one that is 12 lbs but its $500.00. So just look around until you can find the one you really want.In your price range. I have seen some everyday that I look on craig's list. They will be brothers or singer. Some truddle.Or Kenmore's Good luck on your search. If your interested in buy from a store out of town pm me and I will tell you the name of the store that had the small kemores

luvt2sing

Brother CS6000I 60-Stitch Computerized Free-Arm Sewing Machine with Multiple Stitch Functions
This is $150.86 and free shipping at Amazon

Holice

there is a singer featherweight on ebay for 199.99.
My suggestion is do not buy from the big box store. You will need service available.