Perfect Sewing Machine
 

I am going to buy my Granddaughters a sewing machine for X-Mas. It needs to be portable with some features. The girls are 11 and 8. Please make some recommendations. I would like to keep the price under $400. Thanks

Brother, for $400 you can get one with lots of features. If possible, I hear the Project Runways are great.

I have 2 project runways and love them both. 1 I bought to take to classes b/c it weighs under 15 pds and is a great little worker. The 2nd DH bought me 5yrs ago, it is also an embroidery machine , LOVE IT!
You can get them both a nice Brother for that price and wouldn't have to worry about them both wanting to use it at the same time.

Janome Jem, one of the best around for a basic lightweight machine. :)

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Brother-13...Q9185/29176878

A great little machine for under $200.

I second the Janome Jem. I was going to say the Janome DC 1050 (which was $299 online, $359 at the dealer's) but given their ages, you might want something a bit lighter. So the Jem . It's gotten excellent reviews and will last a very long time.

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.

Since they are young I would recommend choosing a brand that you can get serviced near their home "just in case". I lean towards Janome machines, my 6600 is great. A friend bought a Janome Gem for classes and Retreats and loves it. I know that Brother makes a good machine but the ones they make for Walmart aren't the same quality. How do I know this? I bought one and it was a disappointment to say the least. I've taken it a couple of sewing machine repair places and they both told me not to waste my time or money trying to repair it.

Janome Jem... light weight :thumbup:

I bought my granddaughter a Husqvarna Viking H series last year for Christmas. I also got myself one to take to classes as it is light weight. It is less then the $400.