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.

Not wanting to throw too much of a wrench in here, but I gave my daughter a Singer 99 and a Riccar ZZ machine to learn on. She loved them, but once she used a handcrank she sold the others and bought more fabric... She has made a TON of projects on it and says it is way "cooler" and easier than the electric. our .02

My 2 cents worth... My 7 year old DGD loves sewing on my 301. I have another vintage marked for her when she turns 10 but I am considering giving her the 301 on that date.

My 9 year old DGS enjoys sewing on the 401 that will be his next year. He has been sewing on it for two years. Since I repaired the boat canvas for our boat 2 years ago I know it is a workhorse and will last for him long into his future.

I also agree that the 66 and 99 are nice for children.

It will be so fun for you to see what she will make with her birthday present.

It has to be portable because she is a two-house kid? Some of the Maruzen Kenmores are aluminum body and a little easier for me to sling around than I had expected. And I am small and short.

I learned on a Singer Touch & Sew 600E and yes I spent a lot of time playing with the cams and built in cam stacks. (And making and cutting out thread jams, because...Touch & Sew.)

But then you have this wealth of experience and machines that was not there when we were growing up. Maybe give her the Kenmore 1303 now (and talk someone else into giving her wheeled luggage for a case, too) and say she still can use another if she needs to do something that machine cannot. Maybe she will claim the simple machine as her own. Maybe she will fall in love with cams and you can agree to 'trade' machines later and find her one with cams. Or she picks out one in all blue, or a hand crank, or whatever.

I agree that a 99 with a hand crank is a good option. Kids (adults too) love sewing on hand cranks. The 99 also has the advantage of using cheap and common class 66 bobbins, low shank attachments, and 15x1 needles so there's no hunting for obsolete or proprietary feet, needles and bobbins.
I also recommend getting the attachments and a buttonholer as well.

Olivia recommends the 401 and Touch & Sews for the decorative stitches. My only issue with them is they're not as straight forward as other machines to operate. I do think a simple zig-zag machine with a few built in stitches is a good choice. Olivia likes sewing clothes. If you're sewing knits you want a machine that can at least zig-zag.

I don't think the brand or model is as important as features. I would recommend something that takes class 66 or 15 bobbins, 15x1 needles and low shank feet. They're all easy to get. If she wants to sew clothing then a zig-zag machine is good. Kids love decorative stitches too. If you DGD is going to 4-H meetings a lighter machine is a good choice. We used an old Montgomery Wards machine last year that weighed 40 lbs. A good machine but not the easiest thing to carry to and from the car.
Rodney

yay Olivia! I was thinking of machines that are lighter in weight but 401 is neat- I'm still learning mine and found a cabinet for the 403 I got from my mom as well - thinking the 403 is a bit less intimidating and I think cams will do all the stitches though probably not the combination builtin/cam stuff I was reading a bit about on the 401 in the book.

for heavy and zig zag option I LOVE the Morse machines! I think I read the fotomatics are left homing (I'm getting a 4300 from someone on a facebook group and guess I'll find out but i have plenty that aren't left-homing for piecing with my 1/4 inch foot...) my mom's singer fashionmate 237 I think is the model # is simple to use - the only pain in the booty is vertican bobbin. I think the ones with the drop-in bobbin are easiest and the ones without belts :-)

we need a flowchart LOL to help pick a machine

Does it have to have ZZ or patterns? If not then keep your eyes out for a BelAir Bantam or a SEWMOR 303. Those are copies of the Singer 99 only aluminum. Sweet machines, light weight, but not too light.

Joe

vintage machines are cheap, get her two - one for each "house". Takes care of needing to pack it up and transport it.

I and my 10 siblings learned to sew on a Singer 201. When we got good enough, we "graduated" to being allowd to use my Mom's White zigzag machine (Japanese made).

My suggestion is that you give her a Brother mechanical machine to start off with. They are simpler to learn on and you can get one for around $100 with 27 stitches at Walmart.

The machine is a good beginner machine, but not absolute bottom of the line. I have two of them; one in NJ for when I visit, and the other in my garage/sort of studio so I can sew while the HQ and PC Quilter quilt another quilt. It works just fine, has a true stitch, etc.

It's a bit noisier than then a computerized sewing machine, but that's about it's only short coming. And it's not that much noisier.

If she does happen to break it, or decides that sewing is not as much fun as she thought it would be, then you're not out of pocket for too much money.

Good luck and have fun sewing with your granddaughter!

Brilliant idea of one machine at each place, vintage machines really are "take two, they are thrifty" :)

If she wants only one, and a hand crank, a week is probably too soon to get it organized, but look at my thread
here http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...n-t268445.html
I am absolutely wild about this machine, and since it comes motorized, it is a matter of just a minute or two to switch it over. It is just like the Singer 99 3/4 machine but aluminum.
If you like the idea, put her in charge of trolling Ebay and ShopGoodWill and put a machine wanted note up here. The hunt was part of the fun :)

I'm so happy for you that you have family even willing to entertain the idea of sewing for themselves. Encourage!!

Speak of the devil ...... { http://www.shopgoodwill.com/auctions...-24020379.html }.


Joe

Whatever you decide, just don't get her a toy machine. That would be enough to make her quit sewing before she really gets started! My DGD got a toy machine for Christmas and I tried to teach her to sew with it; it was a disaster. I ended up finding her a nice '80s Kenmore for $25.

Babylock has a nice line of inexpensive machines and they are very user friendly.

One advantage older machines have over newer ones for beginning sewers is the parts are easily seen and understood. Things like the take up arm and top tension are usually visible. You can see what's going on. The beginning sewer can see how the tension assembly works and how the thread must pass through the disks correctly to work. New machines tend to hide things inside the housing. You just pull the thread along a path. Another advantage is old machines need to be oiled and maintained. Why is that an advantage? It teaches young sewers how to care for a machine. It's a skill that applies to far more than just sewing.
From what I've seen of beginner level new machines one way the makers save money is they leave things out. Instead of variable stitch length and width, you have a limited choice of preset stitch lengths and widths. I don't know that it's critical but it's nice to have options.
Cost is another advantage. You get a lot of value for your money buying an old machine. They may not have all the features a higher end new model has but they're well built and with a little care will last another lifetime or longer.
I don't think the newer machines will age as gracefully as the old ones have.
Rodney

is the Sewmor aluminum Joe? I feel like I should be buying them all and setting up a business ;) But I won't.
Thanks again for setting me on the trail.

my granddaughter liked the simple brother because of the speed control. She hasn't sewn since it died. They like to go slow, looks like I'm going to have to replace it. She's 8 Hope that helps

I heartily endorse these Rose Case Kenmores. This is the machine my sewing machine mechanic recommended I get and was he ever spot on! They are sweet 3/4 machines with beautiful stitches. I have had not one problem with mine and it's my go to for retreats and classes. I do have a featherweight but prefer the Rose. She's got what it takes and, for a girl gift, you gotta love that rose case! She packs up nice into a surprisingly slimline case. The hidden tool drawer is pretty neat as well.

I predict that this Kenmore series will be the next "featherweight" machine of choice for quilters in the Know! They are a bit heavier than the featherweights but, in my case, tough enough to back up any of my other 11 machines if needed.

shopgoodwill has one of the rose case kenmores ..not sure which model it is but I think all of them do straight and zig zag and a couple more - just more stitches the higher up the model I think

glad you like yours Holli- I want to play around with mine some more- my retreat machine in July was a 301 I had just started piddling with July 4 - it was sewing good and I ended up leaving my other machine in the car and just used the 301. the 301 I'm fiddling with now isn't impressing me- I think it's the little foot 1/4 inch foot though- doesn't seem to be giving me a 1/4 inch..sigh...

Yes, that SEWMOR 303 is aluminum. Mine in it's case with it's controller weighs about the same as our FW in the box does.

Joe

DEAD ON.
There are a lot of the younger people very aware of going 'green'
Some of them are buying used things and keeping things maintained.
Very good lessons - sew and maintain and keep our planet green by using the old already manufactured things.
The reason I say 'things' is because there are people rebuilding old appliances or old cars etc.

I haven't taught any 11 year old's to sew, but I have a 403A and it's a terrific machine! It has a great straight stitch, as well as the decorative stitches when using the decorative cams. It's not difficult to use or thread, and it's simple to thread, oil and maintain!

Jeanette

i am teaching the little neighbor girl to sew ,,,,,was at a yard sale for $10. i got her a brother like the walmart ones ....light weight enough and she leaned how to thread it in about 10 minutes ....she loves it

This is a great thread. I picked up a Singer 99 for my daughters. Hope they will like it!
My mom gave me a toy machine to learn on and it was total garbage. That stifled the learning process.. I ended up buying myself a used Kenmore with cams cause I was interested in the decorative stitches. Even at 16 that machine was too complicated for me (no one in my family sewed to teach me or help me troubleshoot). I sewed quite a few things on a Singer 66 treadle and I loved it. Very straightforward.

I am SO grateful to all of you for your great advice! I have been glued to Craigslist looking for one of the 3/4 Kenmores with the rose case, but haven't found one. I might bid on the one on ShopGoodwill, but the only time I bought a machine from them, it arrived in pieces because they shipped it in the case. Also haven't found a 301, 401, 403, etc.
What I did find, which was initially very exciting, is a Kenmore 158.17741. It has all the accessories, manual, is relatively light, looked perfect, etc. My granddaughter was visiting and was so excited about the different stitches. I oiled everyplace it showed in the manual and it seemed to run great. THEN, we tried to reverse it and first it wouldn't reverse and then it would ONLY sew in reverse. I opened the top again and played with different parts and everything seemed to move freely when I moved it by hand. I think I'll start another thread with all the details. I doubt that I can fix it in time for her birthday unless the fix is simpler than I think.
So, the current plan is that I'm cleaning up a Kenmore 158.13033 that I had gotten a few months ago. It had Sharpie marker all over it, which I've mostly gotten off, although not completely. (Any suggestions for Sharpie removal?) It works great, but it's much heavier and doesn't take cams or have any extras. Meanwhile, if something spectacular shows up on Craigslist between now and Monday, plans could change! And I have five younger granddaughters, so I'm going to keep my eyes open for those rose cased Kenmores.
Thanks again for all your help!

My vote was for giving her the Kenmore you have. They are easy to use and hard to break! I have a 158. (Not sure the other numbers) that's going strong from the '90's.

My guess is your DGD would love some new fabric and a trip to the store with her grandma to pick it out. As for Sharpie removal, try nail polish remover. Or put a cute sticker over the spot if possible.

".......THEN, we tried to reverse it and first it wouldn't reverse and then it would ONLY sew in reverse. I opened the top again and played with different parts and everything seemed to move freely when I moved it by hand. I think I'll start another thread with all the details. I doubt that I can fix it in time for her birthday unless the fix is simpler than I think.
........."


I kind of think it's a thing with Kenmores that have stretch stitches. The one or two I've played with seem very fussy about stitch length and other settings. I've had them sew only in reverse too. I have one here that has a funny little stretch lever on the back of it I need to play with more. I'm pretty sure it's user error on my part but I was having trouble with it too the last time I looked at it.
Rodney

I think I saw 2 of the 3/4 kenmores on shopgoodwill

one says Kenmore 1030 and the other is farther down or on next page and says sears Kenmore sewing machine + accessories

Thanks! I put in a bid. I don't really know what these go for in general. I saw one on Craigslist last year, but I don't remember the price and haven't seen one since.

What she said! I had a 1040 that I sold to my former boss for her 11 year old daughter who was in 4H sewing She (and Mom) love it and use it regularly.

My own first machine was a full-sized Kenmore of the same timeframe. Still have it and it's still going strong. Those guys are bulletproof. Easy to find low shank attachments, easy to use and maintain.

A couple of things...
1) I have a Kenmore 17741 and love, love, love it! It sounds so quiet and it'll sew through anything. My only gripe is that for some reason it now needs some help getting started (with the hand wheel) but it's not that big a deal.
2) I'm a teacher, and when kids write on the white board with Sharpie, we write over the marks with a dry-erase marker and then erase. That seems to remove it. Maybe that'll work for you.
3) I bought a sewing machine on the online Goodwill site, from the Goodwill in Hillsboro, OR. They packaged it really, really well. If you see a machine from there, give it a try! I also bought a Featherweight from the one in Ontario, CA, and I seem to think it was packaged pretty well, too. It didn't have a case, though.
Good luck!
Ila