I bought a small Janome for my GD at joann's it was around 40.00 and she does very well on it and she's 7. works really well.

AS some have said Janome has some that are only a couple hundred dollars....but I like my Berninas...bias!!

Megan, I would suggest looking on craigslist in your area and getting a Singer for around $50-100.

I let my 3 and 5 year old grandchildren sew with my Singer 221 FW. At this point I usually let them operate the foot pedal and with my arms around them I guide the fabric.

First thing I have taught them is that when Grandma says 'stop', it is time to stop. You wouldn't believe how quickly they have caught on.

Then, with the 5 year old (GS) I let him operate the whole thing by himself with paper for fabric and no thread in the needle. I draw lines on the paper and he has learned to pivot with the needle down and begin sewing again. He could do it for hours and love it.

I have picked up many Singers made in the 50s for not too much. A Singer 15-91 is great. And, you might even want to borrow from your girls! LOL

I just want to say that the nicer the machine and the easier it is to use, the more children want to sew.

I love my Baby Lock and hate to wait to use it and change thread etc but it seems to me that it is worth it to spend a little or a lot more for a better machine cuz the kids continue to sew more and more as they get older. Most good machines hold their value.

Maybe call some dealers for good used machines that may come with a shop warranty?

Always a hard choice but I now let the kids use the machine I take to classes.

My 11 yr old granddaughter who been sewing since age 8 uses her mom's brother sewing machine. I have both a bernina and an elna. Both machines have a "slow" feature adjustment. No matter how hard she steps on the pressure foot, it will not go fast. But right from the beginning, we stress hand placement. We found that those little sewing machines do not last long.

Bernette was the first machine I bought new and it was junk. I recently heard they still are. The less expensive brothers and babylocks are heads above them. Bernina doesn't make Bernettes just put their names on them. If they have changed, I apologise. I'm actually looking at a back up machine for my Babylock Espire right now, the "A Line" BabyLocks are all on sale right now....I'm thinking about the Sofia, I think it would be small enough to take to class. Janomes are also a good option and Sear's machines are made by Janome.