Sewing machine for an 8 year old?

[magchavez]

My 8 year old has taken a great interest in sewing and wants her own sewing machine. Can anyone recommend a good one? Are the toy ones any good? Or should I stick with a real one, ie Brother or Singer? Any suggestions????

 

[NotUrsula]

Don't go with a toy. Depending on if she is likely to want to take the machine to a friend's house to sew together, you might want to consider a portable.

Janome has a couple of good smaller beginner machines that can be had on sale for a little under $100. Do make sure that whatever you buy has a free-arm; it is really frustrating for beginners trying to turn small hems or curved seams on a flatbed.

 

[riley2008]

Don't waste money on a toy machine. There are several good "beginner" machines out there for under $100 at Target, Wal-mart, etc.

You may want to check at a local smaller mom and pop dealer. Often they may have some nicer used ones and be able to offer free classes too. (Then again, the one in our town, it would be better to buy the Target machine and just pay for their classes.)

Two years ago Target had a machine during Black Friday for about $60. These aren't hot items, so you can stop buy late in the day, after the crowds. I got it for my cousin who was 10. I've had to use it a few times and it does fine.

 

[canadianjovigirl]

We purchased my then 8 year old one from walmart 3 years ago for under $75 and she still uses it and is currently making rag quilts for her closest friends for Christmas.......i too would skip the toy one.

 

[traces7]

My 12 yr old DD also is interested in sewing. I've seen a Singer for $79 at Walmart I think. Would that be a good machine? (I know nothing about sewing machines!) I thought the price sounded good.

 

[cndij]

I have one very similar to this, that I bought when I lost the cord/pedal to my "good machine" when I moved 5 years ago. Still using it. I see it at the Sears Outlet near me, for around $50 almost every time I'm in there
http://www.searsoutlet.com/Basic-18...n=1&ps=12&pid=45098&mode=buyUsedOnly&cid=2484

 

[traces7]

I have one very similar to this, that I bought when I lost the cord/pedal to my "good machine" when I moved 5 years ago. Still using it. I see it at the Sears Outlet near me, for around $50 almost every time I'm in there
http://www.searsoutlet.com/Basic-18...n=1&ps=12&pid=45098&mode=buyUsedOnly&cid=2484

This looks like the one I've seen, good to know that it's a good machine!

 

[skip323]

We purchased an "entry level" singer when dd12 was 8. She still uses it. It was about $80.00 and has worked well. A number of people discouraged my purchasing a toy machine and I am glad that I listened. I am not a seamstress so I also enrolled her in a couple of sewing classes (and some of them have students bring their machines so they can help them learn to work on them).