Janome Gem I have 14 children and about as many machines (many vintage) but this little machine is what I teach them on. I assume you are teaching them quilting. My youngest is currently just nine. The youngest I taught was 3 and she is now an excellent quilter at 13.

The Janome Gem is a 3/4 size machine but you can free motion on it, use a walking foot, piece with a quarter inch foot. I have 5 friends that use the Janome Gem as their main machine for quilting and they never bought a full size machine because they feel they do not need it. They made beautiful quilts on it up to Queen size.

WHAT you start her on really isn't that critical as long as it is simple and reliable. Nothing will turn her off faster than birds nests or machine problems when she is "getting into" it. I recommend a featherweight or other basic machine with simple forward/reverse. There is not much she can do wrong on a good OLD singer.

My 9 year old friend sews on my Brother Project Runway without any problems.

PLEASE LET US KNOW WHAT YOU DECIDE.
Diane/Wyoming

I would find a used decent machine for your gd to sew on. I bought a Singer 99 for $25.00 which had been a trade in. I made a stopper pad to keep the machine at a lower speed. (This machine was built in the 30's when there was no adjustable speed other than your foot.) Both of the girls are now married and have much newer faster machines. I keep the old Singer and teach girl scouts how to sew using the old machine. It has sure been a "Keeper"

My granddaughter, age 8, just finished her very first quilt, a one-patch, very simple. I taught her how to use my Janome Jem Platinum 760. I also have a Jem Gold which she has used. The reason I switched her to the 760 is that it has the speed control. Without that she has a bit of a problem controlling her speed, she says her foot is too heavy;). If you can get a machine that is uncomplicated and has a speed control, AND doesn't cost a whole lot, she'd be better off.

I have let my 7year old GD sew on an old Bernina sport that we bought at a school auction. It is a very simple, easy to use machine with only a few extra stitches. It was well made, easy to thread, and sews nicely. She is cautious about getting her fingers close to the needle, which is very important. I don't let her use the rotary cutter yet, I do all her cutting for the blocks. We started on pot holders, coasters, and lastly a doll quilt. She loved doing the machine quilting because she could go a little faster than I allowed on the quarter inch seams. If a child is interested, I'd let them do some sewing, with you very close and watching. Don't let them loose interest by putting them off for too long. My GD doesn't sew for a long period of time when she does sew, she says she get tired and needs a break, so it will take a while to complete a project, but I encourage her and she thinks she is great stuff! The young ones need a lot of patience and supervision from us, but they will carry on the art and pleasure of quilting.

You can buy the 'adult' version of the Hello Kitty machine and just put removable Hello Kitty stickers on it.

My SIL just got her daughter a Janome it has a daffadil on the front dont remember the #. She is twelve though but had never sewn before and is doing good.

One of the inexpensive Brothers from Walmart will be good and last her a while. I use one I bought to take to classes because they are light to tote around. It can be a good starter to keep for the up and coming new sewers.

My 4 yr old GGson is already interested in sewing. I plan to get him started on this one.