My GD is 9 and really wants to learn to sew, I bought her a Janome 3128 last year as her first sewing machine but she is scared of it.

I though about putting a wood block on the pedal to be sure she wasn't stepping on it to hard but in testing it, I can see that very little pressure at all has this thing run at almost top speed. I played with it myself and it does run like a wild bunch of dogs ready for supper and that's with barely putting your foot on the pedal. This is not exceptable for a first time sewer and needs to be slowed down. Is there any way to do this?

By the way, at top speed, the thing runs across the table if you don't hold on to it.

Any ideas on how to slow this thing down???

Don't know if this machine has it but on my Viking I can slow down the speed. I can understand why she's afraid. I think I would be too.

Might be easier to find an "older" machine

I have to say I love my start stop button with speed control on my babylock. I have never 'enjoyed' the sewing process until I got this sewing maching. and now I can't stop, LOL!

Maybe an older computerized sewing machine may help?

....a bunch of dogs ready for supper...LOL...oh my goodness! Never heard that it made me chuckle out loud. I've never had to slow down a machine but your idea sounds like a good idea to me. I'll talk to honey and see if he has any ideas.

To keep it from running across the table put the waffle shelf paper under it. It doesn't allow anything to slide. I use it to keep wedding cakes from sliding when delivering..... I don't know anything about that sewing machine tho'

An older, heavier machine may due the trick. You could use the wood block/pedal to slow it down, and it would also stay put on the table :D:D:D

If there is some way she could go slower.

Check the electric box where the machine and the foot are plugged in. switch the cords around. At least on mine I have such a thing, little rectangle with 2 plug holes, one for machine and one for foot. If I get them backward, the machine goes crazy.

My dd was scared of the electric machine, but *loved* an old hand crank I fixed up for her. She still likes the hand crank, but got over her fear of electrics when she got older.

If it's a Janome, there is very likely a setting on the front of the machine for speed. It might look like a horizontal switch with arrows pointing in one direction.

Check the owner's manual.

Surely it has a speed control if it's a new machine.

Try a janome sew mini. No bells or whistles but more her size. It only goes so fast no matter how hard you press the pedal. Also works as a travel machine.

My DGD at age 8 wanted the Janome Hello Kitty 3/4 size machine. I was surprise at the quality. It's not a toy machine but a scaled down version of the Janome Gem. It is perfect for a young sewer and so darn cute! My DD uses it for fast sewing repairs and small projects.

I just bought a 3128 about a week ago. I haven't looked in the manual to see if there's a speed adjustment because for me, it's easy to adjust by not hitting the pedal so hard. There really doesn't seem to be an in-between speed, though. It's either very slow or away she goes.

I sew on a highly polished teak table. It doesn't run from me. She must be pushing it or leaning into it. That would be understandable since she's new to sewing machines.

I love my 3128. It's the perfect little straight line machine. And it's quiet.

I have worked with both of my granddaughters to learn to sew. I started the youngest off with a bottom line machine from Hancock's. Not a child's. But it sews slow. I tried to update her to my other granddaughter's which is a reg. machine from Walmart, but it scared her because of the speed. So, you might want to think about purchasing a low end machine for her to start on. I originally but my oldest granddaughter one from Michaels but it was terrible. It frustrated me so how could I expect her to learn to sew. So make sure it works well so she doesn't get frustrated. Hope this helps. Sally

No speed control on this one and I have tried holding the pedal in my hands to gently push down on the pedal but it still runs like a mad dog. As for quite, not this one. I have a Viking and a Baby lock, both which are very quit machines but this thing is loud. I put her on my babylock to see how she did with using the speed control and she sewed up a storm. I guess I will have to see about getting rid of the Janome and looking else where for one that she can use.

It's just disappointing to buy a new machine and have so much trouble with controlling it.

I googled through a bunch of reviews for this machine. The big complaint on it, seems to be there is no way to slow it down and the foot pedal is hard to control.

yea that's what I found too but was hoping that maybe someone found a way to do it. Wish these reviews were out before I bought this.

I would recommend a little newer model. I purchased a used simplicity machine from my dealer. I specifically asked for one that had an adjustable speed. It will go very slow then when she feels more comfortable it can be set to go faster. I know you hate to purchase another machine but that feature alone is worth it to teach your little ones. I paid $95. I have 6 grandkids and all use the "slow" feature. Good luck in whatever decision you make. Happy Sewing to your grands.

I have a simplicity machine and my 9 year old DGD really enjoys using it.The speed is controled by her foot pressure. I have been thinking about getting a machine for her. Maybe I'll get a new one for me and give my old machine to her. BrendaK

It might sound silly but have you ever thought of purchasing a treadle machine off of craigslist? I see them on there for under a hundred dollars. Lots of people love the rhythm of them PLUS she could control the speed.

There is a vintage sewing machine shop on this board. Lots of people on there sew on them and teach their grandchildren. Here is the link...

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-43881-1312.htm#3693961

There are tutorials and youtube sites to learn how to use them. Pretty easy actually.

:-D

I will check out the site here but as far as buying something site un-seen I will not, been there and been screwed before. I know to many people that have gotten take for a ride on Criags List as well so that is not an options I will chose either. I do love the treadles, just got one a couple of months ago at auction but it needs an over haul so I'm waiting to get that done. As soon as I can get ahead of all the quilts then I plan on stripping it down and rebuilding it like new. Hopefully it will be before the end of the year.

I have decided to let her use my babylock, (with my eyes closed) so I don't see all the mistakes she's going to make with my baby. LOL This is going to hurt me more than the machine but sometimes you got to do what ya got to do. This way I have time to look around for something more suited to her as well. I really need her to be able to carry it around since the only time she's allowed to use a machine is when she is with me. My daughter is such a panic freak when it comes to her kids but I'm hoping to get her over that once Jada shows her what she's able to do WITH OUT My HELP.

I'm showing her how to do a QAYG quilt. I cut the squares and gave her a huge box of scraps to chose from. She's in scrappy heaven right now. LOL

Seasaw... cool that you have a treadle.

I have taught my children and now my grandchildren. My trick is to first teach them to stop on the 'gas' pedal when I say stop. Once they learn to do that quickly, then, I put 'my' hands behind my back so I don't reach around and do it for them.

Sorry that you have been stung. I have over 20 vintage sewing machines that I have purchased off of craigslist, in my area and in areas where my daughters live. The ones my daughters have picked up for me have been sight unseen and have turned out fine. We buy and sell cows, hay, our cars, farm equipment, etc., from craigslist. Maybe craigslist is draws different folks in different areas but so far... very good for us. My DH and I have met the nicest people.

Hope to see you in the VSMS but I must warn you it can become addictive. The ladies and gentlemen give such helpful advice on any question you have about anything to do with cabinets, sewing machines, attachments, etc. :-D Hope you will post photos of your Grandchildren sewing like others have. It is such a privilege to teach our next generations how to sew/quilt! :-D

I think this is a good idea, it may solve the problem. If it doesn't, a block of wood sounds like good idea.

This machine does not have a speed control, it's a pretty basic machine. The non skid rubber shelf liner you can get in the 99 cent store will keep it from moving, be sure it's the one with the "holes", not the solid one, the "holes" grip better. I use one under all my machines, works great!

If the speed continues to be an issue, I'd think about investing in an older machine, you can find them pretty cheap, and in good working condition, on Craigslist. Once she gets used to that, and can master applying pressure to the foot pedal to speed up/slow down, she'll be ready for her new Janome.