Sewing machine for granddaughter?
 

At what age would you buy a first sewing machine for a young girl? My granddaughter is nine and loves all things crafty including sewing. She has used my machine a little bit but does handsewing at home. I was thinking at some point I would like to buy her her own machine to use at her house. Also what would you recommend for her first machine? Thanks

I say go for it as long as mom or dad will agree to supervise her with the machine until your sure she really understands how to use it.

My suggestion, go with something fun and simple. I think the Hello Kitty machines are darling. But, I would read up on the reviews first. And, a cute little FQ bundle and a spool of thread would be a great addition. I would buy a machine with good reviews. But, I would stick with a simple inexpensive machine to start with. After all she's only 9. Interests can change. Or, they could grow and you will have a little quilty partner in crime and will eventually want something really nice. Good luck and have a great time looking and testing what is out there.

I would get a "real" machine for her.

With parent's approval, I would buy her one of the lower priced Brothers. They are great little machines and most likely will be on sale at Walmart as part of the Black Friday sale items.

I would get her a used machine if you can find a good one cheap. Zig-zag too. I would train her to thread it and load and fill the bobbins. Extra needles too. Put a sticker on the machine to tell her which way to put the new needle in, flat side to the left or however way it goes. Tell her to stand up and make sure when she threads the machine to get the thread in between the two discs where you set the tension. Mother was always sitting down when she did this and always had trouble with it. I stand up because I am only 4'10" tall. I hope she enjoys it.

I tried the hello kitty ones. I recommend a real machine with a slow stitch speed.

My mom never used her machine, so I inherited hers when I was 11 (for sewing, it wasn't until 20+ years later that I took up quilting). I had taken home ec in school & then took additional sewing classes in the summer. I would say that if she has responded well to instruction -- whether classes or working 1:1 with family -- and has been using a family member's machine successfully, and really loves sewing/quilting, then anytime from 8-9 years on up could be appropriate.

My first machine was a vintage Singer. I think anything used that's been properly serviced (either before purchase or before use), is all metal parts & does a nice straight stitch would make for a good starter machine. Younger girls often get excited about the computerized machines that do all those decorative stitches, but my personal opinion is that it's easier to learn on a simpler machine. There is less to learn, less than can go wrong & fewer distractions. Plus, computerized machines are more expensive to service ... and as much as I adore my Bernina, it would feel excessive to me to spend so much money on accessories & parts for a child's first sewing machine.

The other thing to consider is figuring out a sewing station set-up. When I started sewing I set-up the machine on one of my mother's end tables so it was the right height for me. I had a stool with a back on it that I piled a couple pillows on & used that as my seat. My stitching was much more accurate when I would do that instead of trying to sew at the kitchen table with the speed pedal sitting on top of blocks. My great grandmother never made it above 4'8" and she used some kind of plant stand for her electric machine.

I agree with the others that first ask her mom and dad to make sure they are in agreement.

If her mother doesn't sew it may be best to wait a couple years. Or do you live close by? I ask because if something goes awry with the machine it can be very scary for her and mom will have no idea what to do. I was 8 when my mother taught me to use her machine, she was a stay at home mom, so she was there when I sewed. There are so many things for her to sew by hand now, and perfecting a good stitch is a valid skill, since it sounds like she enjoys hand sewing. I was sewing doll clothes and also learned embroidery. When I was in Jr. High (13) I took home-ec. I did a lot more machine sewing after that.

I learned on a singer my dad had bought my mum. She never used it as she preferred to knit and bought a knitting machine lol. I think I was about 8 or 9,can't really remember too long ago lol. As my mum hadn't a clue about machine, when it snarled I must have just figured it out for myself. I think a basic good machine, either second hand or one of the basic Brother/ Janome, both easy to use.

Basic good machines are the best, in my observations crappy machines turn more folks OFF sewing than anything else. A basic brother or janome, those are light and portable but will actually sew well

I too would go with a good basic machine. All the bells and whistles are not necessary. She will need to learn the basics and how to use/control the machine before she will need all the frills. You can always update later as her skills grow and you know if this is a full blown hobby

I was a home economics teacher for a number of years. I had both junior and senior high students-many of whom had never touched a machine before. Simple machines are a necessity so children can learn without distractions of curiosity about too many functions. My recommendation is for you to let her use your machine until you see whether or not her interest continues. If you purchase a machine for her too early, it will be overpowering and can create a guilt trip for her or for her parents. My granddaughter, age 9, is coming for Christmas and wants me to teach her to sew. I will set up a machine for her and a simple quilt for her dolls. Then, we will sew together. I am excited because she wants to learn with me; therefore, I plan to start with a simple project that will be guaranteed to succeed.

Like others, a simple basic machine is perfect. I like Janome but I would go with what's available in her town. I would also invest in a good case for her. She can pack it up and let it sit idle if her interest wanes. It will be there for her.

This is what I got my niece and yes definitely a case. The first thing we did was go through the manual and note all the parts of the machine and how to thread it and set the tension. I did not thread it for her. Her grandma sewed and we ere both sitting with her helping her through it. She put directional arrows on it with a marker and arrows to show how to load a bobbin. works for her. She's 11 now and still makes items for others. She was 9 1/2 when she made a baby quilt for a friend's shower. the little guy uses it as his security. the Janome wasn't complicated and we only paid $50 for it. She does like to use my 401 once in awhile.

I bought my granddaughter a used Brother at a community yard sale for $20. And that's about all it's worth. The tension is so off, but it was great for her to practice straight stitching on lined paper. I was always adjusting the tension so I left her use my old Elba. That has speed control which turned out to be a big help. She lives nearby so the machines are here, & Grammy has a stash & I can help her figure how what she wants to sew. My youngest granddaughter lives 1 1/2 hour away and can't wait till she can stay over & learn to sew! Just make it fun for both of you!

I would look for one with speed control. I have a 4 1/2 year old that it wanting to sew. :-) Copying mommy. I love that the brother I just bought has speed control and push button start. Its nice to set the max speed so she can focus on the fabric. (she is sitting on my lap with my hands right their). I got my own machine about that age. I would of course ask her parents but I would get a good basic machine. You don't need fancy to start but you want something that will feed thread nicely so you can work on the sewing and not fighting with a machine.

if you decide to buy a new one try a local quilt shop, most carry a basic machine and will offer a lesson on how it works. One of my shops offers kids classes as well, the starting age if 9.

I am teaching my neice to sew. She is 10 (started when she was 9 using a sewing machine). I found a nice singer at Good Will on their 1/2 price day. Only paid $10.00 and all it needed was a good cleaning. No bells and whistles but has a few designs she can play with and is not a very old machine.

I started sewing when I was nine and joined 4-H at the time and I am still at it. My mom bought me a Singer with a shuttelcock bobbin and the bentwood case which I still have. I agree see if mom and dad are ok with machine and then if you decide to buy one I would go to local sewing machine dealer and look for a basic used machine. Maybe look for a 4-H group in her area, there is a 4-H group in my area that meets monthly and has different projects for each month.

I would look for an inexpensive vintage singer...one without electronics or plastic parts. I started my DGC out on a handcrank. Now they love my featherweight. I keep my scrap bag available...they make string blocks for me.

Yes, now! Buy a Janome silver or Gold with all the quilting stuff and a little carry bag. Most of my children start some where from 3-10 yrs old.

Speed control is awesome for young children but maybe at 9 she doesn't need it as much. Machines with speed control tend to be pricey. I had my children sit on my lap and use my machine with the speed control. One DD at 3-4 yrs old made little quilts that way.

While my kids are both older when they wanted to learn I went with a simple but good used machine as they were afraid of my computer pfaff in case they hurt it :) I picked up a used Janome Jem for really a great price under 50 and so far so good no frustrations like with the more toy like sewing machines that put my daughter off sewing for years when she tried to learn on one.

I started sewing on my mother's Singer 15-91 when I was about 8. I made doll clothes at that age and graduated to making my own clothes by high school. I sewed through my finger more than once.

I lived. I learned. I'm fine. She will be, too.

Just get her something that really works and she can't break.

bkay

I gave both of my nieces Janome DC2012's when they were 6 and 8 respectively. They were closely supervised until they demonstrated a reasonable level of skill. I also fitted them with needle guards until they had learned a healthy respect for the needle.

I started on a brother at 14 very basic and still sew on a brother today. I use my walmart brother as my travel/class machine its a workhorse

A used Bernina. It will last her a lifetime and will be trouble-free.

We have a Vacuum/Sewing Machine Repair Shop near us. He has a large inventory of vintage repaired, reasonably priced machines ideal for a first machine.

Maybe an electric (Singer) converted to hand crank would be a good start. Speed can be controlled. No fast moving needle. Then it can be converted back to electric (or treadle) when she gets comfortable with machine sewing.

I would get her a basic model that has straight and zig zag stitch.

I would go with a well maintained Singer Featherweight. They are simple for ease of use, mechanical (vs computerized) for ease of maintenance, and they sew a very nice seam.

Babylock has the BL9,(9=number of stitches) full size machine, my service gal sells for $99.

Thanks for all the suggestions and things to think about. My granddaughter has been using my machine off and on for a couple of years now and it is pretty clear to me that she will not lose interest. Her mom is not much of a sewer but has a machine so I think she will be able to help with thread jams. I still have to talk to her and won't do anything without her approval. I am also not that far away so that I could help her if needed. I was thinking of a basic Janome and someone had suggested I get one from a dealer near her so she could have a lesson on it. That's a great idea and one I hadn't thought of. I am thinking before I go ahead and give it to her, we would have a sewing weekend with just her. I thought we would go to the fabric store and pick out a simple pattern for her to make a skirt or something for herself. It would be a good time to show her how to wind bobbins and thread the machine. In the past I always did that for her.

My grandkids always used my Brother 6000i ( I think that's the name) Bought it at Walmart. I loved that machine for piecing. It is great & fairly inexpensive. I lost mine when a power surge went through my house. It was on a power surger too but the outside wiring coming into the house was bare rubbing together until it finally like blew up. Long story & very scary. Anyways I would recommend it highly for kids or anyone ( us big kids too) lol that wants to sew. I'm not sure of the price but probably around $150.00

I would get her a "REAL" machine and have had my grands using the my 2 Featherweights from the age of 4+

1. Involve her in the decision-making process. That way she'll feel invested in her choice.
2. Buy her a good-quality machine; nothing is more discouraging to a newbie than frustration with an inferior machine.
3. Buy a machine that you would want. Should she lose interest, you can take over ownership.

I have a vintage Singer Slant-O-Matic that I got off of letgo.com for $20. Threading it is a bit of a challenge, otherwise, it's a great machine, very smooth-running and simple to operate. My 8 year-old had his first sewing lesson on it recently and after a quick "This is the pedal, this is how you reverse, this is how you raise and lower" he had no trouble at all operating it.

I was making all my own clothes by the time I was 10. My first machine was treadle. I did have one accident with it and put a needle through my index finger. A girl that shows interest and carefulness should be encouraged. I would buy her a reasonably inexpensive Brother machine and teach her to use it. The Brother machines--even the less expensive models at Walmart--have a great reputation and lots of features.

What kind of machine do you have? Since you know how to use yours, and your granddaughter has used it a bit, you might stay in the same product line. It need not be the top of the line, but certainly would consider something with the auto threader, 1 step buttonhole and some stretch stitches. Perhaps even a lower level computer chip machine -- they tend to jam less and she already knows more about computers than most of us! I envy her -- may you have many granny & g-daughter hours to share!

So many good suggestions by QB members...I think nine is a great age, especially since she is already showing interest.