Kids Sewing Machines?

**AmyBoz** · 07-12-2009, 07:36 AM

Okay, you were all quite helpful about the intermediate machine for me, I'm curious if anyone has any experience with children's machines for dd. She's quite interested, and I thought I'd look into it and come to the experts for advice!

**frugalwarrior** · 07-12-2009, 08:05 AM

How old is DD? I just used my moms machine from the age of 10yrs.old.

**AmyBoz** · 07-12-2009, 08:42 AM

She's 8, but as I am sewing machine challenged, I'd prefer to get her something that won't need a lot of setting up, etc.

**nuisance26** · 07-12-2009, 08:52 AM

~I've never owned or used a child's machine so I can't recommend any to you but I must ask, can your dd hand sew? I strongly recommend that she hand sew for awhile before starting on a machine. There's no set up, it's much safer than a machine and it's practically free.~

**savvy_sniper** · 07-12-2009, 10:00 AM

I would enroll her in a child's sewing class that teaches them how to use a sewing machine. Since you are sewing machine challenged, it might be good for you to take one also.

**nanny duck** · 07-12-2009, 03:03 PM

I can't remember how old i was but i can remember running a needle though my finger trying sew on my mom sewing machine and it wasn't even electric because then we didn' have electric. nanny duck

**frugalfranny** · 07-20-2009, 01:03 AM

If you are buying a pretty basic machine she should be able to use yours...unless you want to sew at the same time.

If you are in an area where she can take 4-H it is a great way to learn some basics about sewing. Free and great learning.

**TigerGirl1226** · 07-20-2009, 01:05 AM

I would recommend you call your local Extension Office to get her in a 4H sewing class. It's how I learned.

**xtena** · 07-25-2009, 08:16 PM

I'm no expert but I can tell you from experience: don't buy a machine marketed to kids. They are (unprintable) and will lead to nothing but frustration.

My mother (who has been sewing over 50 years) bought a toy Singer 'chainstitching' machine for DD. It was going to be a birthday gift. We tested it and couldn't get it to stitch properly so we returned it. Next we tried a small machine at Target, it wasn't a 'name' brand but was small and intended for mending and small projects. It sewed a straight stitch but my mother couldn't get the thread to release properly. She pronounced it garbage so back it went. Next we tried a Singer 'Pixie Plus' on sale at Joann. They are 'craft and sewing machines' and Martha Stewart allowed her face to be on the box (I wonder how much they paid her for that???) After an hour of unsuccessfully trying to pick up the bobbin thread we gave up. I went on line and found many, many people reported problems with these machines, including not being able to pick up the bobbin thread; the bobbin casing falling apart, and the plastic parts inside the foot pedal MELTING from high heat after just 1/2 hour of usage. I've written a letter to Singer expressing my dissatisfaction at the decline of yet another brand name and will mail that on Monday.

Anyway, we finally gave up on trying to find a kid-sized machine and bought the lowest end full sized Kenmore at Sears. It was on sale for just $81, just $12 more than the piece of trash Pixie Plus.