Is a Simplicity #30516 First Fashions LockStitcher considered a "real" sewing machine or is this a toy and not something I should buy?

My suggestion would be to get an inexpensive machine that has at least a zig zag stich if this young one has shown any interest in sewing.... There is nothing more discouraging than not having the "tools" that dont work. I hope my opinion helps. Blessings

If it's the one I think it is, then it's not very sturdy and I was not favorably impressed with it at all.

Don't remember details about the one I looked at, but it was purple and did a chain stitch. Not easy to control the speed of the stitching either.

I agree with lovequilts.

To keep the younger ones interest, I would get a machine with a few decorative stitches too. A lot of machines in the $100-$150 range have them and are a full size machine.

My granddaughter has been using the Janome Hello Kitty machine since she was 5 years old. It is a "real" machine and I am very impressed with how well it sews.

You might also consider some of the "older" singers that have a zigzag stitch - once in a while one can get lucky and get one that sews well quite inexpensively.

Check it out before bringing it home, though.

Not cheap but my kids in that age bracket sew on a Janome Gem Silver. I use it as my back up travel machine and they learn to sew on it. Also I have some kids that sew on an older Singer 1970-s that some one gave me. You can pick those up for about $35. They work better then the cheaper newer ones in my opinion. I secdond the antique hand cranks eventhough that is not the one my kids use. Ofcourse they run more expensive and do straight stich only. Another nice machine that is straight stich only is the Singer 301. My personal favorite.

I second that choice. My DGD also has one. She only uses it occaisionally now because she prefers my old Singer 128 handcrank.

No I would stay away from the toys. The Janome Sew Mini is good (the same as the hello kitty) or the larger one (not sure of the name but it's a 3/4 size machine) or the Kenmore half or 3/4 size machines would be a lot better. When my dd was 8 I got her a regular machine (albeit a Singer but I didn't know about the Kenmores and small Janomes back then) and it has been fine for her.

I would check into this also, because they are built so sturdy. I still have the first one I bought(used for $75) and I keep it because it will sew things these new machines grumble at. I saw one advertised the other day for $100 and I bought mine about 30 years ago.

If possible, ask a sewing machine repair person (preferably an experienced, older, independent one) which of the older singers would be a good choice. There are some tan ones from the 1950s-1960s that I think are pretty good.

I think Singer went through a transition period when they misplaced their wonderful sturdiness and quality.

I have been working with an 8 yr old teaching her to sew, and her grandmother bought her a basic Brother machine - straight stitch and zigzag, goes backwards. Nothing more than that is needed, and I highly suggest checking Craigslist for inexpensive starter machines. That way if she doesn't like it, you haven't invested a ton of money into the project. Happy stitching and good luck!

Thanks for the feedback all. I see I need to rethink this whole thing. Her parents are not really in favor of her having a machine at this time as neither or them sew and they live a few states away from me so I won't have a lot of time to work with her on it.
Guess I'll have to wait till she is a little older, anyway. Sighhhhh...
At least I'll know what to be looking for in the meantime!!
Hugs and smiles,

I bought my DGD a 3/4 size Hello Kitty Sewing Machine. When she was 8. Up until then she was using a Janome Gem I had for workshops. Janome makes the Hello Kitty and it's the same as the basic Gem machine only much cuter. She wanted the Hello Kitty and I think it will be a collector's item for her child to have one day along with my Featherweight. Her mom sews on it and it's held up for 5 years now with minimal maint. I gave my DD (mom) a new machine to use so the Hello Kitty could get a rest.

The 1/2 size Hello Kitty machine is a toy so don't buy that one. Any of the Janome portables are very good machines, also Kenmore portables are good and cost the same as the ones at Walmart for a much better machine.

I have been teaching my niece how to make a quilt and I made the mistake of letting her sew on my Janome 6600 and of course she loves it. I hadn't seen her in a few months and she was over and I had gotten a Featherweight (it's just the cutest little machine ever and sews really nice, but u know there's no bells or whistles on it. I was showing it to her and she wasn't a bit impressed with it. lol. She now wants a sewing machine for her b/d and wants one like the 6600. I told her how expensive they were, especially for a lst machine. Of course she's just a kid and doesn't have the first inkling of money. So, I guess I sort of spoiled her; should have made her use one of my other machines. I think she may not be happy with any other machine now. Hope I haven't ruined it for her.

Even though I have the 6600 and love it, I really LOVE my 11 yr old Janome MC3500. So maybe you've spoiled her but there might be hope. :D

I bought my granddaughter a Jem Gold - it costs a couple of hundred but is a real machine. I have one myself that I take to workshops etc.

I have a Jem Gold 2 and its my take to classes machine, nice little machine.