Sewing Machine??

Question

I wanted to buy a 10 year old girl her first sewing machine. I have looked on-line and all the sewing machines look to "babyish". I wanted to get her a machine that a first timer could use easly especially because she is a little girl but also one that isn't pink and fuzzy!! any suggestions? Please included websites!!

Answer 1

Don't get her a "toy" sewing machine. My suggestion is to get her a real machine, one that she will be able to use as a young adult as well. Husqvarna is a great brand- they have great motors (this company also makes high-quality lawnmowers, etc.), but they are more expensive. If you have a Jo-Ann Fabrics store in your area, some of those stores have sewing machine classes, and you can try out different machines. If you don't have Jo-Ann, try other fabric or craft stores in your area. That way she can get the hang of using a foot pedal, threading the needle and bobbin, etc., and you can see if a particular feature is too advanced for her.

On the other hand, kids learn new things a lot faster than adults, so if you can get a good deal on a machine that has a variety of different stitches and features, don't be afraid that it is "too advanced." Most sewing machines are pretty simple to use if you are just interested in basic stitches.

Finally, in the resources below, the second one advises against buying from a discount store like Walmart or Costco. I agree that you have to try them out first, but what I would do is get a list of brands and model numbers together by testing them at sewing stores, then shop around the internet, Walmart, etc. for the best price.

Answer 2

A good basic work horse model will be the best investment. I learned on an inexpensive white that I still use. That was 32 years ago.

When I have taught sewing in 4-H to young kids they all do well with a standard basic machine as well. Most places like Walmart will have a basic machine for around 100.00 dollars.

Just be sure it can sew
a straight stitch,
a zig-zag stitch

and preferably make button holes.

Check before you buy, if you can get attachments for it. It's nice to have a couple of specialty feet - if they don't come with it (zipper foot, button hole foot, edger foot, rolled edge foot, ribbon foot -- all those cool toys.

I hope she enjoys learning to sew. Remember to pick a pattern with four pieces or less for the first one. Then add one skill at a time after that. She'll be a pro in no time.

A sewing machine really is a tool rather than a toy. The ones that are "girly or childish" won't hold up in the long run. You want your money's worth.

Learning to sew is more fun if you have the right tools to do it with.

Answer 3

www.hsn.com They have a Euro Pro for $30.00 that you can use on batteries or plug in. If you can wait until it goes on sale, I know they were selling them for $19 a couple of months ago, and xmas is coming . . . I watched the presentation, and this does a good, tight stitch, This would be your most economical buy.

Wal-Mart also has good prices on sewing machines. They will be more advanced and better quality than the one above. You can check their machines out on their website. They have machines starting at under $50.

My first sewing machine was a Suzy Homemaker that did a chain stitch - you had to turn the handle to make the needle go up and down. I sewed doll clothes, and LOVED it! My mom gave me a wonderful machine as a birthday present - 31 years later it is still going great.

Answer 4

Buy a Simplicity (or Singer) machine at WalMart. It is simple to use and understand, has many stitches, a walking foot, many other feet. It sews great. I have a $5K embroidery machine that I do sew on sometimes, but I also love that simplicity machine. It costs about $100-$200. Good luck!

Answer 5

My mother gave me her sewing machine. It is a Kenmore from Sears she bought it about 50 years ago. It is very simple it has forward, backward and zig zag. It is all metal and I wouldn't trade it for a new one. A few years back I found my daughter one almost like it at a yard sale for $15.oo. The older simple machines that are all metal don't have any breakable parts so they last forever. My daughter started teaching my 10 year old granddaughter to sew and she loves it. Good Luck

Answer 6

I wasn't aware they made pink or fuzzy sewing machines, lol :-)

Try anything from Kenmore. That's what I have, it's simple but it can do a lot, easy to figure out, overall really great. I got it through my school though but I looked in a store one time, I think it was going for around $200. http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?vertical=KENM&cat=Sewing+Machines+%26+Accessories&subcat=Conventional+Sewing+Machines&pid=02016221000&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&bidsite=KENM It's similar to this one. I haven't had any problems with it either.

Answer 7

For someone that young that has never sewn and may or may not like sewing, I'd suggest buying a basic used one for ~$100. Check out ebay or your local sewing store. Quite honestly, it would be pointlesss to point you to exact websites because they are all new. All your girl really needs is something with basic stitches (<10) with adjustible stitch width.

Sears I think has a few models if you want to physically see some new ones as a point of reference, as will your local sewing store.

Answer 8

Your simpler machines are usually the cheapest ones. You should be able to get a decent new one at someplace like Wal-Mart for around $100. Or you could shop around and get a used one--I got mine at a church rummage sale for like ten bucks. The controls are very simple, it works, and it's a singer, so I was able to order a manual for it.

Answer 9

I would suggest a Singer...they have basic models with minimum features that are easy to use. That is what I learned to sew on. Go to http://www.singerco.com

Answer 10

May be this one..