Sewing machine for beginner?
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Burke, Va
Posts: 344
#3
You might be tempted to buy a cheap, bottom-of-the-line machine. Don't! You get what you pay for. And.what you pay for is endless frustration when the machine doesn't work the way it's supposed to.
My mother hated to sew, but up until the 1970s, housewives were expected to sew house dresses and kid's clothes and the like. So she bought the cheapest machine she could find and fought with it constantly. It wouldn't hold tension, it kept breaking needles, and the bobbin thread constantly snarled. (In hindsight it was probably desperately in need of servicing, because all of that sounds like a timing problem.) Regardless, it was not the kind of machine to encourage anyone to enjoy sewing or quilting.
I'd take Mengler's advice and look for a good used machine.
My mother hated to sew, but up until the 1970s, housewives were expected to sew house dresses and kid's clothes and the like. So she bought the cheapest machine she could find and fought with it constantly. It wouldn't hold tension, it kept breaking needles, and the bobbin thread constantly snarled. (In hindsight it was probably desperately in need of servicing, because all of that sounds like a timing problem.) Regardless, it was not the kind of machine to encourage anyone to enjoy sewing or quilting.
I'd take Mengler's advice and look for a good used machine.
#4
When my 15 month old granddaughter is older I'm going to start her on my Featherweight. ( if she shows an interest of course)
I don't like the idea of a cheap machine because they don't always run well and it could be discouraging for a budding talent.
I don't like the idea of a cheap machine because they don't always run well and it could be discouraging for a budding talent.
#5
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 16,423
The new Hello Kitty machines are really nice. Not the toy one. The real Janome one. Starts about $150. My granddaughter loved Hello Kitty and that is what I got her and she is still using it now that she is in college. I would now get her the Eversewn. Excellent machine models for the beginner up to being great take to class machines.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 548
one of the machines I recommend for beginners is the Janome 2222.
https://www.amazon.com/Janome-001222...0035995&sr=8-2
You get stretch stitch, adjustable stitch length and width and a one step automatic buttonhole. If you want to go cheaper there's the Janome 2212 but you have a 4 step buttonhole and you don't get to adjust the width of stitches, only the length. https://www.amazon.com/Janome-Sewing...xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==
I've sewn on both machines quite a lot, the 2222 is well worth the extra $30
https://www.amazon.com/Janome-001222...0035995&sr=8-2
You get stretch stitch, adjustable stitch length and width and a one step automatic buttonhole. If you want to go cheaper there's the Janome 2212 but you have a 4 step buttonhole and you don't get to adjust the width of stitches, only the length. https://www.amazon.com/Janome-Sewing...xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==
I've sewn on both machines quite a lot, the 2222 is well worth the extra $30
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Keller, TX
Posts: 1,937
Do not purchase a cheap small machine. Purchase one that she can learn "big girl" sewing on. You will be amazed how smart she is. You can search craigs list and local sewing machine shops for a good machine for a reasonable price.
#8
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Mendocino Coast, CA
Posts: 5,007
Last year, I gave my GD and her mom a Singer 301A. You can find them still in great condition and relatively inexpensive, compared to modern machines. They are a simple, straight stitch machine and very easy to use. Even though this machine was made many years ago, it was made to last forever.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2020
Posts: 706
My local library loans out 2 different sewing machines for up to 3 weeks: a Brother SE600 and a Brother XM2701. Not sure of the quality of either, but something like that might be an option to see if the great niece is really interested.
#10
My first sewing machine was an old Singer Treadle. My sister still has that machine. I was 9 when my dad bought home the machine. He paid $3 for it at an auction. Now mind you I know you are not likely to find this kind of deal today. I have been teaching my now 9 yr old granddaughter with a Featherweight machine. That is a great machine for teaching kids on but not always practical unless you already have that machine.
I would check at a thrift shop for a used machine to start with. I would not invest much only because she may not want to continue sewing and a lot of money can be spent on sewing machines only not to have it used.
I would check at a thrift shop for a used machine to start with. I would not invest much only because she may not want to continue sewing and a lot of money can be spent on sewing machines only not to have it used.