I have a good friend who would like to buy two small, kid friendly sewing machines for her dgds. Does anyone have a suggestion? What do you use with your favorite girls. The girls are both 8.
They are sure to be future quilters. They love fabric and any place that sells fabric.

Wow! I wish my dd had been interested in sewing!

The one I have seen recommended is the Hello Kitty by Janome. It's not a toy sewing machine, but rather a 3/4-size sewing machine. I think it would be perfect for interested 8yos! Here is a link to it:

http://www.american-sewing.com/janom...-3-4-size.html

There are other Hello Kitty machines; your friend needs to be sure it is the version made by Janome. The others are just toys.

An alternative to the Hello Kitty by Janome is one of the Janome Jem machines. These are also 3/4-size machines but made for serious sewers. It's an entire line, with the more expensive machines in the line having more features. Here is a link to one of the machines in the line:

http://www.sewvacdirect.com/janome660jem.html

These may not be the lowest prices you can find; I just did a quick Google for them. I think your friend will find that the reviews on these machines are very positive.

I agree, don't buy a toy. They are really harder to use and slip and slide . I had a toy as a child and it was a pain. I don't think I could even sew on it now, although I wish I had it now. It is a collectors item,a pretty little red metal job with a crank handle. I actually have a toy I bought recently for sewing on greeting cards, It sews a beautiful stitch,but if you try to sew cloth it is just too light .

I checked out that little Janome Hello Kitty 3/4. It looks like a gem to me. I also wanted to tell you the toys only have a straight stitch,none of the fun ones.

My 7 year old granddaughter made her first quilt on a $10.00 mini machine I bought at Rite Aid. It runs on batteries or electricity and we took it camping. It is just like this one

http://www.amazon.com/Michley-LSS-20...8065517&sr=1-6

I later got her a Janome sew mini Paid around $50.00 for it

http://www.shopping.com/xPO-Janome-Mini-Compact

If I had it to do over I would have spent the money on an inexpensive full size machine from Walmart. If she continues to be interested she can always upgrade to what she wants.

I work at rite Aid . That's the same machine I bought for sewing on greeting cards.

I paid $10.00 half off for the first one just bought another one for $20.00 so she has one for camping. We don't have electricity where we camp and It sews so well for a super cheap machine. I have tried other ones that I have seen and they are junk! I will have to try it on cards!!

When my granddaughter got a toy sewing machine from her mother (a non-sewer) for Christmas, one year, I saw how frustrated she was getting with it. It didn't sew well at all. My mother and I chipped in together and got her a low priced one from Sears. I've never seen those small ones from Janome :D ....hmmmmm.... :wink: ...la la la....Santa Claus Is Coming to Town...la la la. :D

I bought my 10yo daughter a used sewing machine at a yard sale, and it does sew pretty well. BUT....she prefers to use my Bernina, and whines if I'm trying to sew at the same time she wants to. If you are going to get them something else to sew on, DON'T LET THEM SEW ON YOUR MACHINE OR YOU'LL NEVER GET TO USE IT YOURSELF! :lol: :lol:

I bought one of the mini sewing machine and threw it out. Too frustrating for any one to mess with. I bought my DGD the Hello Kitty, 3/4 size machine by Janome. She loves it. The 1/2 size Hello Kitty is a toy don't buy that one. Also Sears has a 3/4 portable model only not Hello Kitty color or as cute but very nice.