DD wants a sewing machine for christmas--ideas

[2littleprincesses]

Dd is 9 1/2 and wants a sewing machine for Christmas. I don't have any idea and no skills about sewing machines. Does anyone know of a basic machine for inexpensive?

She also has camera on her list so it is deciding between the two.

Thanks!

 

[PiperPizzaz]

I think she is the perfect age for a sewing machine. I would get a basic Brother one something like this one for around $75-80. It is similar to one I have and I sew some petty complex handbags and such and get along just fine with it so she can definitely grow on it.

 

[MaMa3Princess]

My daugther is 10 and took some classes at JoAnne and loves sewing. Our instructor told me to comb the Craigslist for an older like 1980ish singer machine. The newer machine do not have the weight and they tend to bounce all over the place. We brought I believe it was the Brothers from Walmart for class. After many times gettting the thread tangled in the bobbin and just it was not able to hold the thickness of the quilt she did. We returned it after class and found an older machine on Craigslist. Our old singer works great and it sturdy.

My daughter is making her sisters matching pajamas bottoms for her sister and their dolls as Christmas presents. SHe has really enjoyed sewing!!!

 

[NotUrsula]

Janome's Sew-Mini is a great starter machine, and small, too; little enough to strap on the back of a bike and take down the street to a friend's house. Hancock's sells it for under $60. (Or you could consider upgrading to the Janome 3128 for $100; that one has stretch stitches and buttonholes, too.)

Remember that she is going to need some accessories, in order to start sewing right away. (Maybe you can get someone else in the family to provide this as a separate gift?) She'll need a pkg. of empty bobbins to fit her machine, a pkg. of assorted size machine needles, straight pins (two boxes: sharps and ballpoints), a pin cushion or magnet holder for pins, a package of small-size hand-sewing needles, a package of fusible interfacing, a seam ripper, a hem gauge, a measuring tape, a decent pr. of 8" shears, and a box to put it all in. (Tackle boxes are good, or the ones sold by Goody for makeup and hair supplies.) I like to add a little bottle of Fray-Chek, too (it's useful stuff), and a bodkin for pulling drawstrings.

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

Walmart sells some cheap and decent ones, and there you can return if it it doesnt work out haha

 

[cheerforchelsea]

I have been sewing for many years - purchased my first sewing machine in the 1970's. I have totally worn out 2 machines that were both pretty expensive. Recently purchased a Singer portable at WalMart for about $100 - it works just as good if not better than my machines that cost a great deal more.

 

[MissBritt]

I have and love a Singer Simple from Walmart, under $100. Basic machine, comes with bobbins and seam ripper, etc. Easy for a beginner, and has Martha Stewart's "seal of approval". It's a little heavier and a little louder than pricier machines, but not unbearable. You can sometimes find the same one at Joanns for about $85 if you watch the sales.

 

[pixiewings71]

I have and love a Singer Simple from Walmart, under $100. Basic machine, comes with bobbins and seam ripper, etc. Easy for a beginner, and has Martha Stewart's "seal of approval". It's a little heavier and a little louder than pricier machines, but not unbearable. You can sometimes find the same one at Joanns for about $85 if you watch the sales.

that's the one I have and I love it!!! I don't find it overly loud at all.It works great and it was about $85. Here's the link for it on WM.com
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Singer-Sewing-Machine-2663/10992861

 

[StephMK]

DD16 asked for & received a sewing machine around your DD's age. She has enjoyed having it. She doesn't use it a ton but has taken good care of it & will pull it out sometimes. I got her to make me a simple hemmed curtain panel recently, so it could be handy for you too!

When I looked, Kohl's, Sears, Target & Walmart all had pretty good deals around Black Friday. Hers is a Shark brand and I did not buy anything else to go with it. I think it came with whatever she needed & was well under $100. I do not sew at all, the kids Scout patches are stapled on til MIL can get them done. It's a good skill for her to learn though!

 

[TandLMommy28]

I have this one.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02011206000P?prdNo=8&blockNo=8&blockType=G8

I've had it for 5 years and I'm happy with it. If you are a pro it would not make you happy, but for a little girl learning (or an adult who only has to sew straight lines a few times a year!) it's perfect.

 

[SandrA9810]

I bought this one at the beginning of the year. Didn't have any major problems with getting it to do what I wanted, or threads tangling up.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Brother-LS2000-Sewing-Machine-with-20-Stitch-Functions/12082121

It also comes with about 4 different decal covers, so she can make it look different to fit her tastes. It might not be a daily item to use, but it's really handy to have. Let her do a summer class at JoAnns, then maybe fore next Halloween she'll be up for helping to make a costume.
You could also look into different charities, ones that make blankets or pillow cases for sick kids. They're not looking for perfection, just some love put into it. And pillow cases are really easy to make.

 

[gk90]

I started using my mom's sewing machine when I was 9 so this thread brought back a lot of memories. I've seen good sale prices on machines at Biglots, I have the Brother machine (but without the decals) that SandrA9810 posted and it's been trouble-free for years.

However as a mom I worry about a younger or inexperienced sewing machine user getting a finger caught under the needle like an adult friend did recently. I'm not saying that your DD will do this, most users manage on machines with no mishaps, including me, but I just hope that your DD is going to have lessons.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Target has a really nice Singer machine on sale this week. It is $69. I would buy that one.