As I was carrying my sewing machine up the steps a few weeks ago, it occurred that the price of repair for my shoulder (if I hurt it, which I haven’t yet) would be a lot more than the price of a lighter sewing machine for travel. Of course, I have a wonderful rolling travel case for the heavy machine, but that case doesn’t do stairs.
I considered for quite a while, since it seems to me that my home already contains enough “things”. I decided that, since I’m planning more sewing travel in the coming year, a lighter machine was worth the investment. (A little more self-justification: I was the only serious sewist I know who owned only one machine!)
After some research, I settled on a Bernette 33, which is made by Bernina and sold by my Bernina dealer. It is just what I was looking for: smaller, lighter, with no computer parts to worry about.
Bernette 33, my new travel companion!
So far it performs just fine. I’ve mainly used it for piecing, since that is most of what I do when I go to sewing gatherings or teach. It certainly doesn’t feel as sturdy or sew as smoothly as my Bernina, but I think it is “just right” for travel. And the price was right, too.
Of course I made it a cover to match the bag that carries its accessories:
This fun fabric came in prints of two sizes, so I had one of each to use
How many sewing machines do you own?
Zippy Quilts 
Embarrassed to respond with a number. My first 21st century sewing machine was a small Brother that my new husband purchased as a Christmas gift in 2007, to encourage me to “get a hobby”. He and the machine missed a step going off our porch a few years later and they were both damaged. Broken plastic case was repaired, but the machine was never quite right. Once I bought a big Janome 8900 after a quilt show, the Brother became the travel machine. My sewing room is upstairs and that Janome is far to heavy to lug up and down and I have visions of falling with it. A couple of years ago I purchased a 1940’s era Featherweight. It sits in it’s case in the trolly on the landing near the bottom of the stairs in the garage, easy to grab and go. It is now a favorite for classes, once I put an LED bulb in. ALWAYS perfect stitches. Quiet too. I do have 2 treadle machines in the dining room, 2 embroidery machines in the sewing room, and 2 vintage machine that were family members that both “need work”. While all my friends downsized, I upsized to a sewing room over the garage, so I do have room for all the machines. Note; when hubby talks about my foray into quilting I refer back to that gift he gave me. Glad every day!
Wow! You may take the “prize” for the most sewing machines! Thanks for sharing!
Great idea, Mary. I have two sewing machines and both are heavy. Maybe I need a third?😉
Absolutely you need a lightweight one! 😃
If you need further justification: Since you teach so many classes, I’d think it perfectly normal to have a travel machine… 🙂
Your comment about the cost of an arm/shoulder repair would be more costly (in toll on the body, too) than investing in a special lightweight machine was an eye opener. Sometimes we ‘do without’ thinking it’s the best way to go and sometimes, it really isn’t.
Enjoy!
Do it yourself or do without are watchwords in our family. Often that’s good but, as you point out, not always!
I agree that a girl needs a lighter machine. What a gorgeous cover and travelling bag.
(I have two machines — my second (ancient) Bernina belonged to my sister and, apart being a connection with her, is good for heavy duty work because its insides are made of metal)
I have had no trouble out of my Bernina machines in over 40 years of heavy use, but the metal interior does make them heavy.
Adorable machine and absolutely adorable cover and carrying bag! Just brilliant 🙂