sewing machine

[Anonymous]

My 8 year old wants a sewing machine, I've never sewed in my life and have no clue about them. does anyone have one they can recommend for a mom that knows nothing about them and are easy to figure out?

[Anonymous]

You’re going to end up very frustrated and wasting money if you buy an 8 year old a sewing machine. The 8 year old probably thinks that a sewing machine is going to create whatever it is that they want to create with the sewing machine. Sewing is a skill and using a sewing machine is not as easy as an 8 year old thinks it is. Look into a sewing class first. Or teach them how to sew with a needle and thread. I have taken several years of sewing classes and still struggle with my sewing machine at times. It is a fun hobby though, if learned properly.

[Anonymous]

I second the suggestion for a sewing class. I learned to sew around that age but my mom was an excellent seamstress. You and your daughter could take a sewing class together and see how you both feel about it before buying a machine. You can also get ideas from the instructor what a good first machine would be.

[Anonymous]

I was seeing by the time I was 8. I’d get a cheap Singer without a lot of features. If she turns out to love it, you can upgrade. If not the. She’ll have a basic model to take her into adulthood - they last decades.

[Anonymous]

I got my Singer Featherweight at a flea market for $400. Still use it but the motor is about the size of a plum and can only handle light cotton and silks. Heavyweight fabrics requires a Juki with a motor the size of a small pig.
My mother has about 10 machines - Singers, Jukis and babylocks. Her best Singer came from a sewing machine repair shop for $150 about 20 years ago. She says it was the best $150 she ever spent.
G Street used to have sewing classes. Don't know if they still do. So many fabric stores have closed up as there are fewer and fewer home sewers these days.

[Anonymous]

Where are you? In Fairfax the rec program offers sewing classes for kids.

[Anonymous]

Go over to Pattern Review and ask the helpful sewists there for advice on anything and everything related to sewing. There are some great online classes for beginners from Craftsy, some libraries might even have subscriptions so you can view for free. I would recommend finding local classes so your child can have hands-on help. I used to teach garment sewing classes and depending on the learning style of a student, they would either jump straight into a project or work on building a portfolio of stitching different seams/components before attempting a piece of clothing.

I am happy to recommend a specific machine if you give me a budget. The best case scenario is finding a local person who can help diagnose problems and explain why they happened.

[Anonymous]

Just don’t get her a toy sewing machine. I had one as a child and it was a piece of junk that kept jamming. Even my mother, who was a skilled seamstress, had trouble with it.

[Anonymous]

i'd definitely recommend doing a sewing class first. sewing machines aren't easy to use.

[Anonymous]

I'd get a brother (you can order them online) that has computerized features (kids like to press the buttons!). Make sure it can sew in reverse and has a zig zag stitch. Even better if you can find something that has speed control.

[Anonymous]

3 Little Birds in Hyattsville is great and they do kids sewing classes. I would also caution against getting a super cheap machine as they are more frustration than they are worth.

[Anonymous]

Sewing classes, definitely. Actual machine: whatever someone will give you for cheap/free or better yet, whatever they use in the sewing classes. As few features as possible so issues are easy to debug.

[Anonymous]

Lessons are a good idea. Three Little Birds, A Special Lee, Tilden House and Capitol Quilts do them. 8 is old enough for simple projects like pillows moving up to basic sun dresses, etc. You can get a cheap Brother machine on Amazon for under $100. I wouldn’t go with an off brand as sewing machines are complicated. Arlington and DC libraries also have machines (to use on site).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where are you? In Fairfax the rec program offers sewing classes for kids.

+1, there are also summer camps that teach sewing.

[Anonymous]

I bought my 8 year old kids machine last year. Its too small, impossible to thread and she never used it. Just buy a regular sized machine