I Herd Ewe

Please get her a nice quality real machine. I bought a cheap sewing machine when I was in college and made a few things but I hated sewing with the machine. I loved hand sewing but nothing worked well for me on the machine. I thought it was me and gave up machine sewing for the next 20 years. Then, when my youngest daughter started sewing in 4-H (age 5), I took her to a 4-H meeting with the old machine and the instructor told me "Let her use my machine. She will hate sewing if she tries to learn on your machine." I went and bought a good machine for her and now, not only does she love sewing (now age 16), I also love sewing on that machine! We often start out on a new craft buying cheap poor quality equipment because we want to save money in case we don't continue in the craft. Having no experience with good equipment, we are frustrated trying to learn and give up because we don't enjoy it. Start her with good equipment even if you have to borrow it. (My daughter borrowed a machine from that wonderful 4-H leader for those first couple years while I saved money to buy the machine we now use.)

pllboyer

My daughter about had a stroke when I allowed my grandaughter who was about 9 to sew on my new Bernina. I had an old Singer but it was tempermental and wanted her to have a good experience. I supervised closely at first and then when she had a good feel for the machine and how to use it safely, turned her loose. She was very creative and was so proud when she'd come upstairs with a bag she'd designed in hand or some other project. Also gave her free rein on a box of scraps an inexpensive material. She sews now and I eventually gave her my old Bernina when I got a new one. I agree that you should let them sew when they are interested.

GladGrams

I agree wholeheartedly. My grandsons (10 & 7) were given full size "used machines" and they had no problems at all. In fact, being mechanically inclined they picked up the whole "thread a machine" without being taught.

QuiltingrandmafromMi

I think she should sew if she is showing interest. I was taking a sewing class when I was 7. Amazon.com has a Brother LS2125 for $59.99 plus free shipping. I would go with something like that! I would have killed for a machine of my own when I was 8. Go for it!

Blackberry

mjorgenson

Don't get an old used machine. A new cheaper one is better because you won't have as many issues with it. That is the quickest way to turn a kid off from sewing is to have to fight a machine. A Janome Jem Platinum is a good way to start in on a computer machine at a good price,

QUILTHER

My granddaughter got introduced to sewing machines early. At about 4 she would sit on my lap and sew. By 6 she was running my Kenmore. When I bought my Janome 6600P I took her with me and she prefers that now. She is 11 and loved the decorative stitches and thread painting and knows when she needs to rip out stitches. I say go as good as you can afford. I heard about a Brother recently that you can usually buy at Walmart or on Amazon.com for just under 200.00. Unfortunately I don't have the model number but it got great reviews. It has alot of decorative stitches, letters for monograming (she made a collar with a name on it for a stuffed animal). It has needle up/down option! I looked at local Walmart and they had it! I will be getting this for her 12th birthday as they are moving away. The kids today are way more tech saavy. I am going to go through some mending with her and a few more projects so when she moves she can take off and do what she wants. The one thing I did was tell her. If you have a question about how it is working ask me. And if it is not doing what it is suppose to - stop.
Diane/Wyoming
PS I have a Janome Jem and I am getting rid of it because none of us like to use it. I have it sold. It sews awesome but there is no 'creative' stitching as the stitches are preset. If they are working on a thread painting project there is not much room because of the harp space.

QUILTHER

When teaching my GD to sew I told her to keep her fingers out of the feed plate area to begin with. I was always nearby but locked my lips. A couple of small projects and it is more about her learning to trust her knowledge base. Teach her how to clean her machine. I used beginner color book pages (printed off the internet). for her to follow with out thread. There are a couple of good books out there for assistance. She even did an awesome job on a pillowcase.
Diane/Wyoming

lillybeck

Four of my GD's made doll quilts wile I was in NC over Christmas and they used my Janome that I took with me. If they are going to sew may as well learn it right. However. If I had an inexpesive machine I would probably have used that instead. Unlike many of you I only have the one. I will post pictures just as soon as I locate them.

Leota

If you can find a good feather weight machine it will last her forever and it sew slow enough for a young child. I would emphasize hand placement when sewing to decrease the chance of finger sewing ... I taught my granddaughter to sew when she was 4 years old on the sewing machine... she learned the safety rules first...
Has not sewn her fingers yet and she's 12.