For my DGD
 

My youngest dgd got a sewing machine for Christmas, so I was looking forward to working with her for sewing. I went to visit for her birthday, taking along a project (pillow case) for her to work on while I was there. It turned out the machine she got for Christmas was a toy. It does actually sew, but is clearly not the best. She was having severe trouble sewing a straight seam with her little machine, but we managed to get the pillow cases finished.

While I was there, I went shopping with my sister, and just for fun, we went into a Babylock store. There, in one corner, we found shelves full of used machines for sale. I chose a Kenmore, probably from the '90s that looked complete, had been serviced, and the price could not be resisted at $24. So, I bought it and took it back to my dgd. Before anything else, I checked it out to see how well it worked and adjust the tension. Then we had lessons on threading, handling the bobbin, and adjusting the tension for good stitches. Then we began working on a pair of pajama pants. My ddil took it fairly well, although she did ask me how I was going to get my machine back home with me. I just told her it wasn't MY machine.

So, here is the $24 machine. :)
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What a bargain at $24. Looks like a great beginner machine.

Great price and a great machine. How wonderful that you were able to purchase it for your DGD. She will remember that forever!

Great deal at $24 from a sewing machine dealer. I'm happy your DIL took it ok. Toy tools may look like a good idea at first but I'm a firm believer in giving kids the same tools you would use yourself. Low quality tools are a recipe for anyone-let alone a kid-to fail.
Rodney

jlm5419,

That was a beautiful gift your gave your dgd. Now she can really sink her teeth into learning to sew.

Rodney,
You are soooooo very right.

Joe

At a great bargain and looking sharp! She would get great service using this one!

great find!!!

My parents got me a Kenmore when I was learning to sew at about age 10. ( For the record, my dad thought it was a silly idea to buy a child a sewing machine, but my mom, thankfully ignored him!) I sewed miles and miles and miles, and took it away to college with me. I finally replaced it several years after I was working. Lucky girl to get a "real" machine so early!

Getting that machine was a really good idea, my husband bought his niece what was supposed to be a child's sewing machine after she showed interest in sewing with me on my machine and that turned out to be a total disaster. The machine had no control and went so fast that it scared her so badly she didn't want to sew anymore. Sadly she didn't do it again she was 9 then and is 21 now, still no interest.:(