Looking for a good sewing machine for my 8 year old son.?

Question

My son is into making sock "creatures" and just creative..I have 2 younger daughters as well. he spends an enormous amount of time hand stitching his creations. That is wonderful i know but the problem is , he is so rough and tumble with his monsters and his stitches are..well 8 yr old quality that I end up re stitching them all late at night. Like the cobbler's elf! Is it worth getting a kid's sewing machine? I've seen..actual;y he showed me a black singer kid's model. (All kids ones seem to be pink or have hearts somewhere) Does it actually work well? I've also seen a mini rex on amazon that seemed to get good reviews but battery operated only. I have a machine but am wondering if the kid's versions are safer and easier to use? By the way a good book to get boys into sewing..."Stupid Sock Creatures"

Answer 1

First time user but your blurb caught my eye since recently went through exact situation for our 8-year old grandson who expressed interest in learning to sew. After a fair amount of research I also determined you should by a real machine, not a toy. I ended up at Costco and bought a Brother because it had two safety features that a Viking dealer brought up (speed control was one--I think the other was it can be operated without a foot control) and the fact that Costco has a very generous return policy if you end up not liking it. Our grandson has not asked for his to be returned and he has had it for a couple of months. At least check it out if you are a member. Happy hunting!

Answer 2

I fourteenth the "don't buy a kid's machine". I'd buy a good but second hand machine, preferably from a sewing machine shop that will give you a short warranty and return period if you hate it.

There *are* finger guards made for some home meachines; the ones I've seen have been pretty frustrating, however. I've been machine sewing since I was 5 or 6 without managing to put a needle through my finger yet. I have, however, gotten a couple bruises from a takeup lever.

There are also machines out there with speed controls, or you can block some of the pedals mechanically to prevent runaway sewing machine issues. Or you might consider a treadle... kids seem to love treadles and it's a nice bit of "transparent" mechanical engineering to figure out.

http://www.cet.com/~pennys/faq/smfaq.htm

Answer 3

Don't insult him with a crappy toy, that'll just be limiting. Get him a real one and keep it serviced. It will last him almost forever. Join the SCA or something, and that might encourage him to take his sewing skills into the realm of clothing! If you teach him to use the machine, and a simple sewer doesn't take long to pick up, he'll be fine with it. I think it's pretty hard to sew your own finger. Keep an eye out in the classifieds section of your local paper, or ask your local sewing machine repair shop to recommend a machine. Many of them fix up old machines as a side job. I've got an old Bernina, don't even know how I ended up with it, and it works like a dream. The local repair man told me not to bother getting a new one and that he fixes up the same machines to sell to the education department. There's a thought, what type of machine does the local high school have? Get him one of those! Then keep your eye out for books or patterns that may encourage him to extend his skills past Stupid Sock Creatures :) Leave them strategically lying around...

Answer 4

I would not recommend the "kid's" machines out there on the market. They are mostly plastic and would not hold up to any rough handling. I would find him an older, all-metal machine and have it cleaned and oiled (or do it yourself if you are handy with sewing machines). There are some smaller sized machines machines that might suit him well and are not "girlie". One of my favorites is a Kenmore 10XX series, made in the 70s. They are basic and easy to use (although the case has roses on it). Encourage him now and he might follow his creative interest for life!

Answer 5

I have to agree with the answers already given.
But I would like to make a suggestion.
Make sure it is a machine that YOU can operate and clean and maintain easily. Please, make sure you understand how the machine works, that YOU know how to adjust the stitches, tension, etc.

If you decide to go cheap, I would highly recommend getting two. That way, if one machine goes wacky, you'll have a back-up to use while the other one is getting repaired (if it's worth the investment).

Great to hear the young are starting to sew!!!

whimwinkle

Answer 6

Rather than get a toy...why not a real machine? I found a brand new basic sewing machine made by WHITE at walmart for $39.95. Check around and look for the sales :)
Good Luck!

Answer 7

I agree, a kids' machine will just be an exercise in frustration. Even if you have to pay $90.00 for a machine, I think it will be a good investment. He can come back to it again and again over the years.
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