Originally Posted by
Kooklabell
Oh I know what she wants, my embroidery machine by Husqvarna LOL But that isn't in the budget. Besides that, she doesn't know beyond "something that doesn't ball up the thread or eat the material". I'd like to find something that others feel is simple yet easy and friendly to use. Something that won't frustrate her.
My first machine was a Kenmore and I used a Singer in home economics. Both frustrated the life out of me and I don't want that to happen to Syd. At 11 years of age she has such incredible skills.
So my thought is still a new machine. I was thinking about a Brother or a Janome but I have no experience with these makers.
It sounds like a talk with her is in order. Most machines don't just randomly "ball up the thread" or "eat the material". That's normally some kind of user error be it, not holding the top and bottom threads when you start, not having the fabric placement correct, the machine not being cleaned often enough or whatever. I doubt you will find a machine that can over come "user error". As far as frustration, that comes with the territory with learning new skills. It's always frustrating. I still find myself becoming frustrated with myself or my machine at times. She'll have to learn to overcome that if she's going to sew and quilt. That in itself is a good thing to learn.