My ten-year-old granddaughter wants to sew. What
machine would you recommend? I don't want to get her
one of the "kiddie" machines. I want a machine that
works properly, but not too expensive. I think it would
totally turn her off sewing if she got a machine that was
inferior and didn't work properly.

I have done some checking, and a Brother L521251 seems
like a good choice.

Please give me some suggestions.

I have had good luck with Brother. I got my granddaughter (6) a Janome Jem but it is a small machine, I agree a full size machine at a reasonable price for starting out and she can always up grade if she decides sewing is for her. I wish now I would have gotten My GD a full size machine.

I gave my old Brother machine to my daughter when she began showing an interest in sewing, it is still going and I bought it new when I was 21, that was 37 years ago! She is still sewing on it!

Gal

I love my Brother machines. I was given one (Brother XL2600i) by my dad for Christmas a few years ago and I have NEVER had any trouble with it. It is a great little machine for piecing as well as many other things. I also like the fact that its NOT computerized, less to go wrong with it (ya know for when I step away for a second and the kids step in!). In Feb. my husband went and got me the Brother 1500 and I love that thing too.

Good luck!

I know of two people who purchased a toy machine for a child and totally turned them off of sewing.

Find a good basic machine for her and she likely will be using it for many years. You might check used machines at your dealer. Also check to see if they have classes for kids in the summer, the tec school here also has classes for kids. Give her a couple of sheets of notebook paper to sew on the lines with no thread and she will be ready to sew.

In my opinion older machines are tougher and withstand more user mistakes than one with plastic gears and electronic features.

Blessings,

Sharon

I think a Janome Jem is a perfect machine for a child to start off with. They are a smaller machine and children are smaller than adults, so it's a good size. Janome puts out really good machines with lots of stitches and the machines are easy to use.

Let us know what you decide.

I prefer Brother for children and not a toy for sure.

Don't buy one that you would not like to sew on. My DGD learned to sew using my Featherweight when she was five. She asked for a Janome Hello Kitty 3/4 size machine and I was impressed with the quality of it. It's not a toy. I have a Janome Gold that she uses but likes the Hello Kitty just as much.

I have 3 Brothers and love them all. I saw go for the regular size , she will be able to use it forever :thumbup:

I agree one of the toy machines is not a good idea. They just don't sew well. I got my DGD a Janome Sew Mini. It is a real machine and sews very well. A little smaller than your regular machines. It sews a little slower so it is easier to control. She loves it.