For an 8 year old
 

who is interested in learning to sew, what basic and inexpensive sewing machine would you recommend? I want one with reverse stitch and zig zag and a light. Used is fine. Thank you!

Got my niece a Janome for about $50.00. New at Hancocks. Has all you want.

Brother CS6000i. Easy to learn! Very good machine for the money. Do a search here on the QB for comments and on Google for ratings. Available at Amazon and WalMart.

I bought a Brother at Wallyworld for $159. Has needle down, Feed dogs down and lots of different stiches. Works a lot bettter than my $600. Singer.

Some folks recommend the Janome Mini Sew ($59). Weighs 5 lbs. Has straight, zigzag and reverse. All plastic machine, so that maybe a draw back. Some folks love this machine, others think it's junk. Haven't used one, just saw reviews of it. Thinking I might buy one (http://www.HomeDepot.com) to use for taking to classes. People think this is a good machine for kids to learn on.

I bought my 8 year old granddaughter the Janome 11706 3/4 Size Hello Kitty Sewing Machine. She is 17 now and the machine is still sewing like new. She saw the machine and fell in love with it. I know that machine kept her interested wanting to sew. I think I paid about $200 for it.

Thanks everyone, this is for my granddaughter. She will be spending part of spring break with me so I thought I'd better get busy. I've been looking mainly at Janome's but would not rule out any other brand. I don't know if this will 'stick' but I want to give her every chance not to be frustrated and give up before she gets going!

My 9 yo granddaughter loves my Janome DC1050 because it has the speed regulator and the auto start/stop button. She's getting taller now and should be able to use the foot pedal soon. It also has a few decorative stitches. I paid about 300.00 for it to use as my travel machine.

My nephews unpacked and threaded up then began sewing on the brother quilter. This was my new machine and while I was preparing food they did all this on their own. They also helped to make the blocks join and sandwich and finally walking foot quilting.
They were 10 and 4 . I only reduced speed for them, they did manage to break a needle and it was then with help from my brother they changed it.
they are very practical boys and had listened carefully when the dealer gave me a demonstration of my machine.

I'd look on Craigslist and shopgoodwill and look for a simple machine that's 25-30 years old. As simple as possible. You can probably pick one up for $25. Use that to start. If you do good, she/he may keep it for ages. Most machines that age will have a zigzag, reverse and light

I would buy a lower end basic but brand name quality full size machine. If she likes sewing it will be useful for years, if not you can use it or sell it. I would avoid a toy or gimmick machine directed at kids. That's what I did for my daughter and the machine is still in use many years later.

What she said.

I would get a machine that I would be happy using

If DGD loves it and sewing, you will be ahead. If this turns out to be a "she tried it and did not really like sewing," you will still have a decent machine to use as a backup.

I have finally learned that sometimes simpler is definitely the way to go.

I have no advice on what to buy. All my machinrs are between 30 and 60 years old.

I do have a couple Singer 237 Fashionmate machines - 1960s era - that have forward and reverse, three needle positions, zigzag, and a light. I am fond of these machines. If the bobbin winder is not working, it msy be that the rubber tire is bad. A new one can be obtained for less than $5, and it is a do it yourself fix. I would buy another if I saw one.

The down side of that machine. It is heavy!

My friend bought the Hello Kitty for herself and she loves it. They switched out the throat plate to a metal one for her. She says she is happy every time she uses it. I know I would've been over the moon for a Hello Kitty as it was new and they had a display in my local department store as a kid. I do have to agree though with the others, buy a machine you wouldn't mind using as a backup.

I outgrew my brother CS6000i and gave it to my niece and nephew (8 & 12 years old at the time) and they have no trouble working it. I demonstrated changing the needle and threading it once, then unthreaded & took out the needle and made each of them do it themselves and now they're sewing machine experts! (So they told me, LOL)

I liked the machine myself and would have kept it as a travel/backup machine but I was happy to give it to them too. I think it's great that they BOTH are enjoying sewing. They've had it for over a year now and I get periodic reports that they haven't broken it yet, although I did hear they successfully sewed some cardboard together with it, LOL. The things kids think up....

She has already repaired some jeans. No trouble as yet. It is the Janome 124 mini sew. Only paid the $50 because not knowing how long she would stick with it. If you're going to use it also then you may want more.

Ditto on the backup also.

Here is the newer Hello Kitty machine.
http://www.pickmyreviews.com/janome-...o-kitty-review

Thanks again everyone, now to decide!

I bought two Bernette Seville 4 this Christmas for granddaughters. On sale at local quilt shop. $150 each but I didn't want them to have cheap machines that would cause grief and discourage their sewing. Plus their moms can use also. Win win. I LOVE my 30 year old Bernina. The Bernette is not Swiss made but it is made for Bernina so I feel it is better than lots of others out there...

I bought a very inexpensive Janome (sew-mini) for my granddaughter to sew on - choice of only three stitches from Hancock Fabrics (free shipping at the time). Certainly works well and she loved it. My mistake was letting her try my Viking Diamond - now she knows the difference.

I bought the 5 lb. 124 also. I thought I was going on an airplane trip and wanted to take a machine. But I don't really like sewing on it. I makes a lot of noise, and seems like it is always working hard. There are no oiling directions, so when it wears out, I suppose that's the end of it.

I'm just spoiled from working on antique machines that sew so smoothly and quietly. I know the difference.

What ever you buy get one that does not dance all over the table when going fast! The cheap plastic ones are the worst for this action.

Machine for 8 year old
 

I got my GD a sewing machine for her 8th birthday. I looked on Craigslist til I found a used but well loved Elna that was a step up from basic so room to grow. The seller had gotten a new one for Christmas. It sewed beautifully and was $30. I've bought and sold several machines on CL. As long as you can try them there are some real treasures out there. (Max)

Here's one I found on Amazon when my daughter was looking for a machine for her 9-year old daughter. You can look it up and read lots more, including reviews about it. In the end she gave her her cheaper Brother machine and bought a new one for herself:

Brother LS2125i Easy-to-Use, Everyday Sewing Machine with 10 stitches including Blind Hem and Zigzag, and 4-Step Auto Buttonhole
by Brother
831 customer reviews | 201 answered questions
List Price: $129.00
Deal Price: $69.97 & FREE Shipping. Details
You Save: $59.03 (46%)
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.
Want it Saturday, Jan. 31? Order within 16 hrs 2 mins and choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details
Full size, lightweight, portable sewing machine, great for alterations and everyday sewing
10 built-in stitches, including blind hem, zigzag and stretch stitches
Automatic 4-step buttonhole feature allows you to create custom-sized buttonholes to fit your specific buttons
Free arm or flat bed usage, carrying handle, built-in storage, 3 presser feet, and more
Includes bilingual instruction manual, 25 year limited warranty, with free phone support for the life of the product. We do not recommend using this machine in countries that do not support 120V AC even if a voltage adapter is in use
22 new from $59.99 2 used from $99.00

did the same for my niece. It's light enough for her to carry and it's a real machine that will last her as I was told that many adult seamstresses take them to retreats.

I bought the Janome jem used at my dealer for $125.00. my grandaughter is 9 yr old. Just right for her. You want a machine that will last her for years. Don't forget these kids grow fast.

not just a silver Janome
 

DH bought me a Janome silver edition at an Estate Sale, I fell in love with it BUT DGD fell for it even harder! She is 13 & has been learning quilting along with me. I must say she is better than I am!
Jeri

The machine is a Janome Jem Silver Jem Limited Edition. I fell for it so hard I bought the 6600 right afterward. I LOVE me some Janome! :thumbup: