Toy sewing machine for 4 year old...
 

My daughter saw a play sewing machine at JoAnn's the other day and wanted it but it was for 6 years+. Do they make a toy sewing machine for 4 years old? She loves to try to sew on my machine...when I am trying to sew. I have her a small cutting mat, kid scissors and a box of scrap fabric. But now she wants to sew once she cuts the fabric. I will let her sit in my lap and I will sew it....though she did "sew" a piece by herself the other day.

So any suggestions?

Those are age "recommendations". Only you can decide if you think she isature enough to try a toy machine.

Thanks! I think she would be fine with it, of course with supervision, but didn't know if anyone else had a suggestion of one made for younger ages.

Thanks again!

I found one at the local Goodwill for a very small amount of $$$. Has a plastic tube over the needle for safety. Looks as if it was never used so wiped it down good with Lysol wipes and as soon as DGGD gets 3 or 4 I hope to teach her to use it!

delma

Let her start by sewing with no needle to get used to the machine. When you are sure she can keep her fingers out of the way of the needle then any simple machine will do. The toy ones are just toys and she'll get frustrated with it in a short time. I bought my DGD the Janome 3/4 size Hello Kitty Machine when she was five and she still uses it at age 14. It does everything she needs it to do and still sews great.

my youngest granddaughter was 4 when she made her first quilt---using a little singer (real machine) set up on her (just her size) care bear table- the machine has speed control which i think is the most important feature for a childs machine- i would not waste my money on a toy machine- they only frustrate the child- my granddaughter's all have been sewing for years- the youngest started (building) her stash before she started sewing- she was about 3 when every time they entered a store that had fabric she would manage to get at least a fat quarter- more if she could talk the parents into it. (and although my stash has always been -free game-for any of them wanting into it---heaven forbid anyone helps themselves to a piece of her fabric...:)

My granddaughter started sewing at 3. She operates the fabric and I do the pedal. We sew on the old Singer 221. She does a great job but tires quickly. I love that old machine for a child, but must supervise closely.

Thanks everyone. If she keeps liking to sew, then I might find a small one for her birthday.

FYI!! I purchased a "Hello Kitty" sewing machine for my granddaughter a while back. After I couldn't get it running properly, I exchanged it for another....same problems. I returned it and got my money back. Shortly after, I noticed they removed all the machines from the shelf!

How about offering her plastic canvas or burlap? That way she can do a sewing type hobby with a blunt needle. Not exactly the same, but maybe a safer substitute until she is older?

kids' sewing machines
 

My granddaughter is six years old. I got her a Hello Kitty child's sewing machine for Christmas and the nicest thing I can say about it is that it is a piece of junk. I then researched kids sewing machines and found most of the comments to be negative for all of the little machines that I found. Think I will just continue to help my granddaughter quilt on an older Singer that I keep around as a backup. If anyone out there has found a child's sewing machine that really works, I would love to hear about it.

my daughter just started using my machine. At the time, it was a circa 1953 Singer with none of the bells and whistles offered today. She was so short she had to stand to reach the pedal. But she was able to successfully use the machine at age 4. Nowadays, I let my goddaughter sew on my Viking which has speed control so I slow it way down. There really is no need for a toy when they can learn/be taught to respect teh machine and use it safely. At least that was my parents' position and I am still here and sewing!

Thanks. My mom and I have talked about all the safety "rules" out there nowadays. I am just 34 but it seems we try to bubble wrap kids alot. Yes I tend to be overprotective but at the same time I let her have fun. I used to play in the cow pastures for goodness sake and I am just fine. I don't have another machine so a kiddie one will have to do until I can find a suitable small one for her to use.

The biggest factor with the toy machines is the stitch. Most don't have a bobbin so the stitch is a chain stitch and pulls out easily. Inexpensive 'real' sewing machines, use a bobbin and do a lock stitch. Most of the toys have a set stitch length--which is usually quite long. I would look for a decent used machine. Often at yard sales/ thrift shops they can be bought cheaper than a toy.

My 6yr daughter has been sewing on my Janome Magnolia since she was 4. She took her first class then, and made a cute handbag! Last year I bought her a kiddy sewing machine for her to use along side me. However we both got so frusterated with the poor quality and it constantly jamming up, that it quickly went in the garbage. With my supervision, she loves sewing on my machine, making many doll blankets, pillow cases, and very basic doll dresses.

Toy machines are just that, a toy. I bought one for my granddaughter and it frustrated her to the point she didn't want to sew. I would agree that with supervision any machine would do. The no needle sewing is a great idea to learn how to keep little fingers out of the way.

I think they put the age limit on toys because of liability reasons it is really up to your discretion. If she is using your machine with you there. There should be no reason why she can't use this one with you there