I got my granddaughter a sewing machine!
 

I had it in my mind that I would get my granddaughter a real sewing machine, used, somewhere this summer. She is going to be 5 and likes to 'help' me sew. She sits on my lap and guides the fabric thru as I operate the pedal, slowly. She has a 'toy' lap top that is frustrating - small screen, batteries, black and white -a real toy! So I figured instead of a toy sewing machine, I'd get her a real one. And Saturday at a community yard sale, I found one for $15. A Brother, that does have straight and zig-zag, just the basics. It took me awhile to get it threaded and the tension adjusted. But it works. I can tell a big difference from my Elna and this little Brother but I won't have to worry about the batteries dying on her, and it makes real stitches. Pre-school will soon be over and Grams' Sewing School will be in session.

What a good idea. I love my Elna too,by the way, I also have a Janome, and cant decide which I like the best.

Great idea. She will be a pro in no time. Be sure to post photos of her creations.

Great idea to get her a real machine. I think beginning sewers become discouraged when the machine they are working on frustrates them or doesn't work right. She will learn way more on this machine and love spending the time with you.

Start 'em young!!!! She'll be showing us her quilt soon!!! Way to go, Grandma!! :)

Sew-classic has finger guards.

you are right on the money! as a child I had a SM that done the chain stitch, didn't take me long to figure out that hand sewing far out did that chain stitch! my hand stitching didn't pull out as easy.

wohooooooo !!!! great idea Grandma .. the older grand children have a sewing machine each to sew on ... The
youngest one isn't interested yet in sewing .. so many one day !

My daughter was always at my machine years ago. She is/was a natural to sewing. When she was 8 we purchased her a machine of her own for Christmas and she used it all the way to college. She has graduated now to a more sophiscated machine and owns a Bernina 730E after several Vikings. Her first grade school picture is of her wearing a red corduroy jumper she made. Yes, it included a zipper at the back.

In the past, I was a 4H leader and taught very young ones (8+) to quilt. At first I had to be at the machine when they stitched, but once I could see they were following my rules about hand placement, etc., they were on there own. Teaching children is a real treasure as you see them progress. I had a 13 yo who could hand quilt better than I ever did. Her work is outstanding and she has the ribbons to prove same. -- It has always been my motto, "Each One, Teach One (or more"). God has given us a talent and we must share it.

Congratulations, to your granddaughter! Wish I could find such a great bargain!

I love my brother and really wouldnt want anything else lol it gives me basic stitches and the rest is my imagination. You got a great buy on it I bought this one for 35 on ebay and like I said I love it and so will she. Cant wait to see what her imagination creates

How cute, my DD is 2 1/2 and I packed away my brother XL-3500i away for her, she loves to watch me sew so maybe when she is about 4 I will start to teach her, but she is already a fabriholic, she has to touch all the bolts in the stores, look at all the magazines, I can already see a sewer and quilter in her. She is very bright. I bet you DGD will enjoy her new brother. They are great little machines for the cost. Have had 3 low ends and I love them all. Their high ends are awesome as well. At what age did you start teaching her, just curious?

Awe, that's great! Will be such a great way to spend time together.

LOL Only 2-1/2 and already petting the fabric! I love it! :D

Good for you, always nice to hear of new quilters. We need to keep it going.

You are a GRAND Grandma.

She'll never forget her first machine! My DGD started sewing alone when she was 4. She used my best machine too. The younger they learn hand to eye skills the better they will grow to be deft. Did you know girls that played jacks, did the sewing cards, played with miniature tea sets had much better can - do ability? Same with boys playing marbles and doing model kits.

We let our kids use real tools - best quality we could afford. When my youngest son learned to play guitar he found a cheap one and we quickly got him a better guitar. Guess what, his playing ability went up with the quality of the instrument. I've noticed sewing ability likely will match the quality of the machine too.

You go Gramma! My parents got me one of those cheap toy machines when I was about that age. I used it maybe twice and was upset because it was not what I saw coming off Mom's machine.She started letting me use her's and that is the one I have today. She is a lucky little girl.