Recommendations for an 11 year old
 

My granddaughter just told me that she wants a sewing machine for her 11th birthday next week. Despite my overstock of sewing machines, I'm not sure if any would really be right for her or what would be best. I like Kenmores and have a 158.13033, which weighs a ton, but I think would be easy to use.

I could give her a Featherweight, but I think they're a lot easier to jam than the Kenmore and they're too hard to come by for any reasonable price. I definitely need to give her something portable, not in a cabinet. BTW, she is learning to sew, but hasn't had much experience.

Any recommendations for something to look for?

Thanks,
Linda

I gave my granddaughter a Kenmore. Not sure of the model, but I bought it in about 1978. She loves it.

hmm I'm partial to the 301 and featherweight but I have some 3/4 size kenmores(unfortunately I haven't made time to try them out enough to know if they're awesome but others have assured me they are..) the 1020, 1030 1040, 1045, 1050 that have the rose embossed cases? they do zig zag and different stitches built in -s omeone here I think said the bobbin winder is delicate though and hard to find replacement if it breaks

I was 9 when I started learning to sew and it was on the 3/4 size Singer 99. I loved it. I still like the strength but simplicity of that old machine (45 years later).

My mother taught me to sew on her 15-91 when I was 8 years old. I used that machine until I was 19 and moved away from home. It was set in a cabinet so I tried like crazy to get her to buy a machine with a free-arm but it never happened. I don't think the weight of the machine is as important as having a reliable, easy to use machine. I do believe adult supervision is still necessary when operating the machine, so if it is too heavy she would have help to lift it.

This one gets my vote. My DGDs love them. Even DH uses one.

I just asked my expert. She's an 11 year old too.
Here's Olivia.
Hi! I started off with a Singer 101, I enjoyed using this machine VERY much!!It makes a beautiful straight stitch. Of course there's a chance of her wanting a fancy stitch, if so I recommend a Singer 401 because it has a selection of nice stitches and it sews very well. Another great sewing machine for cool stitches is a Touch-And-Sew. a great zig-zag stitch and straight stitch as well as fancy stitches. When you check this write back please!

Olivia 11 year old expert

I got a Commander (kenmore, 15 clone) when I was 8. 46 now, still have it and use it. It's straight stitch only, but what a stitch. The only thing I have ever done to it was replace the foot pedal with the electronic one and replaced the spring in the tensioner.

A Singer 15 or a 15 clone IS a great choice, too. I think they are almost bullet proof. Along with the Singer 99 the 66s machines are pretty and sew very nice.

Another great cheap basic machine to learn on is a Singer 404 - then do like Olivia and get a 401 or better still a 403 with a box of cams. There are some really nice old Kenmore machines. I like the older ones with the drop in disks the best.