My DGD will be 5 in early Oct. She mentioned she'd like a sewing machine 'just her size'. She says mine are too big and fast.

Any recomendations? I'd want one that really works and with a zig zag too, not a toy one.

Thanks

I got a child size machine on ebay when the girls were that little but found out real quick they grow into a big machine really fast so now when the neices start out we by brother sewing machines with only a few stitches on them and they are not alot of money so you really aren't out a lot of money if they don't continue sewing

I would get a Singer 99 or a 185J for her. They are 3/4 machines and sew a great stitch and if you get a 99 you can make it a HC and then she can go at her own pace.

Billy

Don't do like I did...bought a little Singer toy one. Only does chain stitch and keeps coming unthreaded. Aggravates her and me!! I've read some posts on here that recommend some of the smaller Brothers or Janomes. Maybe do a search at top and find the posts. I don't think I will be able to get my 4 year old ON a "toy" machine anymore. She wants my "real" machine!!

I'd definitely go for a vintage-type machine. Simple, slow, reliable. Something from the 80's maybe -- without a computer in it. I have a Viking 5610 portable that I got from my Aunt's stuff. Something like that would be perfect.

IMHO, of course!

A Singer 301 would work great! My granddaughters have used mine very well and they love it.

I'd advise against a toy also, will just be frustrating. If speed is the issue, one with a slide speed control would solve that, but the most basic machines don't have it. Janome has a lot of affordable options. They make many Kenmores too. I got a Brother HS 2000 for my kids (6 & 8 when they started) to learn on. $200 but a fine machine. For less money, maybe a Kenmore Mini Ultra, but it doesn't have speed control.

I have seen the smallest Janome for $39.99 The child toy machine cost about that but I did buy the Home toy machine for my grand D but she is only 3 and it just has the straight stitch and an adapter. Haven't see it sew yet as her birthday is next week. I got it on sale of $19.99 so thought that would be fine for her.

I have an inexpensive Brother machine my 'grands' like to use. Have had it for 4 years; it is a workhorse and it sews well. It has some embroidery stitches that they like to play with, and has a slide for speeds - slow, medium and fast. It was less than $100 when i bought it, so I definitely got my money's worth.

Lately, I've been using a Janome "New Home" machine i got at Good Will for $ 12.21 (all it needed was a cleaning and oiling!) because it is much heavier and doesn't slide around on the table like the Brother does. It's very hard to sew a straight seam if your machine is slipping away from you...

I agree that the kids will outbrow a 'kid' machine very quickly.

I bought my little DGD a Janome Sew-Mini sewing machine last year for Christmas. It is a good little machine, but not really for a child. After I bought it, I found several things I didn't like. It doesn't have a light, no on and off button, just plug it in and it can go and a very small foot petal. It is a good machine but just not for children, in my opinion. I wish I had bought something else.

http://www.hancockfabrics.com/Janome...VVviewprod.htm

My Grandson 6 wanted to sew a little because Mema sews all the time.. I have a machine that I turns down the speed of
sewing. (to really slow). He sewed around some preprinted
bible hand pupets and loved it.
That is what I would recomend a machine that the speed can turn down and she will grow into the machine.

when my granddaugter was 4 i found a little (3/4 machine) brother machine with speed control- i could set it at slow and no matter how heavy her foot was it would just stitch along nice and slow- paid $89 for it 6 years ago- she still uses that machine and loves it- it is still (just her size) i also set her up on a little carebear table & chairs- her little sewing corner was all- just her size- no problems reaching the pedal or anything else-
all the kids have Brother machines with speed control (even my 30+ daughter :)
the brother machines are good basic machines at reasonable prices- they have held up for many years now- and are the go-to machine (the kids in my world will stand aside and wait their turn for one of the brothers instead of sitting down at my Viking- not one of them-guys or girls like using the Viking-they all like using the Brother's)
a little old singer is good too- but they don't have (cruise control)but a good heavy duty-will take alot of abuse machine-and stitch a nice line of stitches-
but at the price some are paying for them---

What model brother is is? Sounds like what I am looking for.

I have to take my hat off to all you ladies who started you DGK so young. I was afraid, and made them wait until they were 8 years old. I was afraid that they would hurt themselves. Just a big chicken I guess, that or too much nursing in my past. I wouldn't get a toy, however. They are too small and light, and don't really do a good job. Years ago I got my step-grandaughter a toy machine, and she managed to make a few things, but lost interest, so I never got her a "real" machine. I thought that I would get a big machine it she showed the interest. Now I wonder, maybe the interest would be there if she hadn't had to fight the machine. None of my girls sew--they would rather just bring anything to Mom's house and have her do it. That plan didn't work for me--had to do it myself. I think my Mom was smarter than me. lol
Sue

I just purchased my, soon to be 5 year old, granddaughter a Pixie sewing machine by Singer. I also bought her charm packs and threads to complete the gift.

janome also sells a Hello Kitty machine that several designers have and use. One thing to be and get is a drop in bobbin. It is much easier for a little one to use.My granddaughter uses my Janome Jem. She is 8 and has been sewing now for 3 years.

I saw the Jem and was considering that one too. I have time to look because her birthday isn't until Oct.

Riley came into my sewing room, sat in my chair and said, well Grama, which machine is mine??
Get her a REAL ONE!! Those toy ones just don't cut it! Singer has some for $99 that have a couple of stiches and work great. You could even borrow it for sewing at the guild meetings!