Sewing Machine for Kids?

MichH

I was in John Lewis at the weekend and they are selling their basic model sewing machine in the sale at just under £30. HTH

rosalie-lavender

I am another one in the basic adult machine camp. Definitely avoid the mini machines that operate with a button. I won one in a sewing magazine raffle once and it was dreadful. I am an experienced dressmaker and found it pretty much uncontrollable, I wouldn't have let a child near it.

I have taken my sewing machine into a holiday club once or twice and found that the children-all primary age-managed very well on it. Interestingly enough most interest came from the boys who wanted to know how it worked. At 11 if her school does textiles she may have already used an adult sewing machine anyway.

Smiling_Ducky

May I mention something?
I have very limited sewing machine knowledge but I wanted to have a go making cushion etc. a while back.
I got a mini machine (mains operated with foot peddle) from Home Bargains for £9.99 (I think they are £12.99 now).
I've noticed that a few of you guys have mentioned that they aren't very good and I'm in no way disagreeing with you but I found this little machine great. The instructions were straight forward and its not really complicated either. I actually surprised myself in what I was able to whip up!
I didn't want to pay out a lot of money as I get an idea in my head and then when I try to put them in to action, I make a right mess.
I did try to use my mums (grown up!!) machine but I made a right hash!

Just my opinion and I'm sure these other ladies (and gents?) know much more than I do!

lizziegrace

Wow!! £9.99 is a good find :-) I agree too actually - mini ones can be great (as long as you don't want to sew anything think or heavy) it's just the push button or chainstitch ones that can be temperamental. Incidentally if you take a sewing machine apart it's just an ugly lump of metal underneath and many of the smaller machines are all made from the same base component and just have a different plastic "skin" put on with the branding etc. Your one for a tenner could well be the same as a JL one for £60!!!;)
Not an expert at all, just love sewing...
Lizzie

shezam

Thanks for all your replies!! Gonna go check out homebargains and also Lidle to see what they have on offer, liked the look of the John Lewis mini ones in bright colours too.

Will let you know how I get on!
Suzi

jokeyjo

i got my dd a mini sewing machine from lidl was down to £15 she is showing an interest but didnt want to spend a fortune if it was just another fad

Katiepillow

I'd just avoid ones with plasticy parts - I was using a full sized sewing machine at that age (with supervision), if you can find a cheap one with just a simple straight stitch, no need to mess around with tension once you've found a good one (as long as there isnt a huge variation in the fabrics, e.g. using denim) and still will be usable as she gets older.

When I was around that age my mum bought me a lovely little sewing box, which I love..so some things for hand sewing might be nice, some pretty and high quality threads etc

edit: Also, the best machine I've ever had was a beautiful little, but perfectly formed, frister rossman machine fromt the 1970s - I bought it second hand from an older lady (who had naturally kept it in immaculate condition) for £20. Ran beautifully too, never had any issues (until I broke it by doing stupid stitching)..so that's something to bear in mind if you can find one.