I'm asking for some input - want to buy 11 year old granddaughter a sewing machine for Christmas - looking to spend around $100. I've looked at some Brother models - any suggestions from your own experiences?

thanks - enjoy this forum so much :-)

Check Hancock Fabrics, got a lot of machines on sale.

The "Hello Kitty" 3/4-size sewing machine gets really good reviews and costs about $110. Target carries it, as do other stores. It's a Janome. Here's a link to one at Overstock:
http://www.overstock.com/Crafts-Sewi...0/product.html

There was a 1/2-size "Hello Kitty" which is not as good. I think that one was blue instead of green.

I think the same machine is available in a plain white from Sears under the Janome label (or might be Kenmore-labeled Janome).

My mom bought me my first machine when I was about 11 or 12, and it was a full sized Singer machine. I never had a bit of a problem using it, and used it for years!
Carol B

I have small Brother (LS 2125). It's a great little machine and I love it. The ONLY reason I'm in the market for a new machine is because I want more features... :lol: I have had my five year old sewing on it, no problems. It is simple to use, and works great. The only thing I wish it had, for use with youngsters, is speed control...but my 5yo managed to figure it out, I think an 11yo would be just fine.

I've read a TON of awful reviews on the Singer machine that is targeted to kids. Don't waste your time or money. My mother in law bought it for my daughter for Christmas, but I told her to return it after reading the reviews.

A lot of GREAT reviews on the 3/4 Hello Kitty Janome.

The only recommendation I can give you, is to stay away from the low end Singers, personally, I won't buy a new Singer, an old one, yes.

get whatever you would get for yourself. she's not a baby anymore and if she likes to sew, she'll use it for a long time.
a child's machine would be insulting at her age.

I was helping my SIL shop for her 12 yr old and she just bought her a Janome Magnolia for 149.00. It doesn't have alot of bells and whistles as my SIL put it so it will be easy for her to understand and learn on.

thanks so much, ladies for the suggestions. You've given me some ideas to check into. I'd not heard of the Hello Kitty machine - but am familiar with Janome so will check out those reviews. Brother machines in that price range seem to rate well also.

Probably goes without saying how blessed I feel to have a granddaughter so interested in quilting/sewing :)

I just bought a Brother X5 for my second machine last week as my old XL 2130 broke down and it would have cost more than a new one to repair . Had it close to 10 yrs, never a hick-up untill now- These are basic, nothing fancy and both cost around 100$. I paid 99.95 euros for the new one. They do all that's necessary, practically fool proof (hard to mess up) and don't eat much ( need little maintenence). I recommend. Brother LS 2125 looks just like X5, same price here, too. My "better" one is Brother PS 31 (12 stitches + button hole) Old but reliable.

Brothers are good starter machines. They are easy to handle, easy to understand (some come with DVD), and they are easy to set up. My earlier Brother only acted up when the needle was dull or when the lint was in the bobbin case. Both issues were easy to fix and I got to the point to where I recognized the issue right away.