<p>My almost nine year old daughter asked for a sewing machine for her birthday. </p>
<p>She has been using her old clothes to make clothes for her stuffed animals in the past (without sewing though). </p>
<p>She already tried to use sewing machine at her grandmother’s house and was successful in doing so.</p>
<p>I am interested in under $100 machine that is not specifically targeted at kids (because I have heard they are pretty bad quality). I have heard that both Singer and Brother machines are good choices, but there are so many models so I don’t know which one to choose.</p>
<p>I see one on Costco.com website for only $115, including $15 instant rebate. It looks pretty fancy but since its Costco I know they’ll stand behind the product. They have others as well, bilut they cost more. This one is not specifically made for kids.</p>
<p>I think the most important thing for a kid (or any beginner, really) is to be able to easily control the speed and prevent it from going too fast. If it has a knob somewhere that controls the max speed separately from the foot control, that would be a good feature. My machine (Elna with an air pressure device) is much easier to control than my mother’s which has a pedal–but both of our machines were bought years ago, so I don’t know what is available now.</p>
<p>Try looking at some the lower priced Brother machines. They have several models under $150 and 1 or possibly 2 under $100. Look for discounts on the web. </p>
<p>You want something she can learn new techniques on and not get frustrated by its limitations too soon. I would suggest since she’s making doll clothes that any machine you get have a free arm (instead of flat sewing deck) so she can slip small items completely over the sewing surface. (Like a sock over a foot–if that makes sense.)</p>
<p>If at all possible get a machine with automatic buttonholer (one step) since getting consistently sized buttonhole from a 4 step process is nigh on impossible. (You used to be able to buy a buttonholer attachment to do this, but those have disappeared in the last 20 years as buttonholer technology has come down in price.)</p>
<p>Most machines come with a foot controller. You can help her to slow down sewing speed by putting a small wooden or plastic wedge/block between the pedal top and the controller so she can’t push it down as far. This will force her to sew more slowly.</p>
<p>You might also try to find a older used mechanical or mostly mechanical model of Pfaff, Bernina, Husqvarna, Elna, White or Kenmore.</p>
<p>Mechanicals tend to be more robust and forgiving of [unintentional] abuse than electronic models.</p>
<p>FWIW, I taught both my kids and 3 different Brownie troops how to sew on my old Pfaff. It’s 100% mechanical and has metal gears. It is all but indestructible, but alas Pfaff was sold a more a decade ago and their newer inexpensive machines have plastic gears.</p>
<p>I have an 11 yo who likes to sew and went to a sewing “camp”…I was/am against paying big bucks for a machine for her but have become convinced by friends in teh know that the old machines and the cheap machines from Target etc aren’t worth the lesser money…the threading in particular appears to be the issue… Costco I would likely trust bc they take back anything.</p>
<p>/I don’t know much about this subject but am in a similar boat so…</p>
<p>Babylock! I got one for my D when she was in the 4th grade. I first got a cheap one thinking she will lose interest soon. I returned it on the same day. It got jammed immediately again and again. Babylock can take abuse.</p>
<p>Wayoutwestmom has given great advice! And absolutely positively do not buy a Singer. Singer machines have not had a good reputation since the 70’s. Baby lock and Janome are better made machines than the Brothers. Sew on whatever machines you are considering. Check out sewing machine repair shops. If you are lucky you have one like ours, the old man who runs the place is very honest, sells new machines but also maintains an inventory of used machines.</p>
<p>If you know anyone who has one of the old Singer Featherweight from the 1950s or so, they are wonderful machines. Quilters use them and they are quite collectible so they tend to be expensive ($300 or so) but you might stumble upon one at a yard or estate sale. I stupidly sold my mom’s when I got a newfangled machine about 20 years ago. They don’t do zigzag but are simple and straightforward and very easy to learn on.</p>
<p>I wont weigh in on the brand of sewing machine, I’ve had an old singer for ages. Back when singers earned their good reputation…anyway if you can find an old used singer, thats a possibility. But make sure that whatever you get, keep it simple. Less is better. You need straight stitch and zigzag for a beginner. Easy to thread, clean, etc. I prefer all mechanical (nothing computerized) for a new sewer. Have used anything from a used machine to the cheapie singer from Walmart with success.</p>
<p>Do you have a friend who is a knowledgeable sewer? Maybe that person could help you find a machine on CraigsList. While a new machine is ‘fun’ (new is always ‘fun’) an older machine may fit your budget better while also allowing you to buy a better quality machine at the same time. This is what my DIL did and I was amazed at the quality she was able to purchase at under $100. </p>
<p>I have heard nothing but complaints from anyone who has a cheap Brother machine.
Costco has an excellent return policy, so if you want a new machine, that may be worth looking at (I don’t know what machine it is so I can’t comment on it).</p>
<p>I’ve been sewing since I was a very young teen and I am so thankful that my Grandmother chose to encourage me in sewing by buying me a simple Kenmore machine when I graduated from 8th grade. That machine was a workhorse and it is still in use today by my daughter. I have a fancy-schmancy Pfaff that I adore.</p>
<p>I purchased a Singer featherweight portable on ebay for $225. They are very collectible and easy to use. BUT… if you can get a decent machine which does fancy stitches and embroidery. … I would get it. I spent hours on my mother’s machine just stitching patterns onto doll dresses and that is a lot of fun for kids!</p>
<p>If you buy a used machine have it serviced before your daughter uses it. And I highly recommend a kids’ sewing class if you can find a good one.</p>