I agree with Miriam! Get them a nice older machine and teach them to maintain it themselves. There are so many great ones that it is hard for me to choose only one. A straight stitch is all they need to learn to sew and you can surely find an older machine for under $50. If they decide that sewing is not their thing, at least they will have something they can use to fix a ripped seam. If they love sewing, then next year, invest in whatever machine you feel is best for their future uses.
Originally Posted by
miriam
Singer 99 - small, cute, easy to use and maintain:
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Of course there may be others easy to hug oh ahem easy to use and maintain as well a Singer 185 or a Singer 404 The Japanese 15 clones are a LOT of fun, too. These are all inexpensive most of the time - there are some real cool old Japanese sewing machines. Some of the younger generation has an appreciation for going green.