Stitchnripper

It is very hit or miss here too. I make the regular rounds of all the thrift stores that I know about. I posted a few weeks ago that the man in the Salvation Army resale store told me they send the black headed machines to the dump!!

But, I do know many of us are very happy with our mechanical Brother machines from WalMart. I have three of them, one here and one at each of my son's. They are all different, but basic mechanical machines, easy to thread, not fussy. I wouldn't hesitate to get one.

Rodney

I agree with a lot of what Mike said. An older machine will sew better and last far longer than the cheapie disposable ones.
It is also true that young girls want to fit in -it drives me nuts. My 10 year old daughter sews with the oldest machine in her 4H group. It's an old Montgomery Wards with a camstack for about 8 different stitches. It's the oldest and ugliest machine in the group but it compares favorably with the other girls' newer machines. It sews as smoothly as the much newer Husqvarna and Bernette machines that were present.
My recommendation would be for a white colored Kenmore or similar brand from the late 60s or early 70s with built in stitches (No cams to lose). We also have a Touch & Sew my daughter likes to use occasionally but the learning curve is a lot steeper with those than other machines. The reason for the white Kenmore type machine is they're more likely to look like a newer machine and blend in if she finds herself sewing in a group setting.
Rodney

KenmoreRulesAll

Here's one near Sonoma that I would buy:

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/atq/4641764098.html

I would think girls would like this kind of machine:

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/for/4637991300.html

Or this:

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/atq/4645755793.html

I would think a young girl would like a machine with cams for decorative stitches.

J Miller

Finding good machine here in Springfield is about the same; hit or miss, with more misses than hits. Occasionally we'll find a good one, but usually I have to have them shipped in from elsewhere.

As for the machine for a little girl I agree with Rodney's idea. A late 60s to mid 70s 158 series Kenmore with built in stitches is the way to go. They are excellent machines and are durable. Far better than the junk sold at WalMart.

Joe

J Miller

I like KenmoreRulesAll and his suggestions too. But with two provisos ... they would be better suited if they were low shank, center parking machines.

Joe

Rodney

I just consulted an expert. My 10 year old daughter Olivia. She recommends a straight stitch machine like a Singer 99, 66 or a Singer model 15, possibly a 15 clone as well. She says for a young girl the straight stitchers have less to break, no cams to mess with and that the round bobbin machines are easier to use and wind the bobbin than shuttle machines. She shook her head at the white Kenmores I recommended earlier. She doesn't think that the machine doesn't look like a new one is a big deal. Shows how much I know.
Rodney

Rodney

I just asked why no cams. She says you want the girl to focus on sewing properly, not the decorative stitches. Olivia also thinks its important to show her how to thread the machine, backstitch and adjust the tension correctly.
Rodney

costumegirl

Rodney - You've coached Olivia well she will be collecting for herself soon with a very keen eye

That 'Capital' that KenmoreRulesAll suggested looks like it might be a good option for a reasonable price.

Cari-in-Oly

I agree with the others about a new Janome. Most little girls want something new and cute. You can even get them on line for less than what the store sells them for.
I had just the opposite happen yesterday. I think my Goodwill saved machines in the back just for yesterdays sale. There were more machines than I've ever seen at one time in there. I was a good girl and walked past them until I saw a case with "Consew" on it. I couldn't believe it. It's a current model mini walker that looks brand new. For $15.00 oh yeah it came home with me.

Cari

Edited to add- Well, Olivia has been taught well and just showed me up! But, she's an exception. Exceptional.

Cari

I still think if a little girl wants to learn on a new machine a simple Janome is the way to go. I'd offer up the low end Babylock too, but it's made by Janome.

Cari

miriam

I would only buy the best - it is a tool - she will get better results from an excellent tool. When you really compare the plastic wonder machines in the price range - dollar for dollar vintage rules. Vintage has been around for a while and will continue to be around a very long time. Plastic will break sooner or later - it will end in a land fill. Thrift stores and garage sales don't always have working machines at a reasonable price. In a lot of places there are people who buy and sell machines on Craig's List. You can find someone selling a real nice machine on there - maybe grandma's. Some folks buy and sell sewing machines - some buy, repair and sell - and some buy, hose the inside with something and sell - be sure to test out anything before you buy. Buyer beware. Look it over good. Is it all there? Does it sew a nice seam? How does it look? How does it sound? Do all the knobs and levers turn/lift. Do a little research. Closer to Christmas machines will come out of the wood work on Craig's List. Right now isn't a great time to sell so there might not be much on the market. My grand kids are spoiled. They have tried them all. I think one is partial to a Japanese 15 clone and one LOVES at little 99. One still thinks a Cinderella is awesome - well it looks cute anyway. Small may be less intimidating. We use a hand crank around here, too. The kids can control how fast it goes anyway. A hand crank forces a kid to use his left hand to control the project under the needle. A finger guard is a nice add on. It is possible to sew a finger with a guard on but it does define the needle area. I also think the thrift stores don't make anything on the machines and a lot of the time they don't work so they don't want to bother with them - then they end in the landfill or scrap yard. It is a pity - most of the time a vintage machine can be made to work again.