sewing maching for a child

15 years ago

I remember reading that some of you have taught children to quilt and I am wondering if you used your machine, if you used a child sized machine, or a regular sized machine for the child?

A 7 year old boy asked me to teach him to sew/quilt. We have started with hand stitching, but he has been eyeing machines that come in toy catalogs this time of year. I did a quick search on Amazon and found a range of inexpensive machines from about $20 - $150 that are "real" and not the "toy" machines that cost about the same!

I have never tried to teach someone else to sew and I'm not sure what is important in a machine. Should it be child sized? I assume simpler is better, but I'm afraid that some of the very inexpensive ones could be frusturating if they break or skip stitches. I assume having a slow and fast speed would be helpful.

Any advice that you have on what to look for would be great!

Thanks,

Lola

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

jennifer_in_va
15 years ago
I've been teaching my 10yo DD. Here's my input...

I bought one of those child machines from a friend... It wasn't worth the box it (didn't) come in! It moved when working with it, didn't sew a great stitch, etc

I've since taught her on my Janome. My main workhorse machine! And here's why: 1) I was watching over her the entire time, so why not?; 2) It has a speed control! This is one of the BEST features for teaching. I turned the speed down to nothing, and then there's no learning curve about the foot pedal; 3) It's heavy and doesn't walk across the table; 4) I already know how to use it.

I've since bought her her own very basic machine. She's in control of the foot pedal now, so a speed control wasn't so important.

My suggestion is a full sized machine. Fancy stitches don't really matter, but a nice straight stitch. And a speed control is a great idea. (You can also put a soft kitchen sponge in the mouth of the foot pedal to slow it down if you can't get a speed setting.) I'd buy a decent low end machine by a reputable name...

jennifer
lindaoh_gw
15 years ago
I agree with Jennifer. I taught my DD and niece to sew on my main machine. I turned the speed to slow and sat with them while they sewed. It's important that they use a machine that works well.
Linda OH
Related Professionals
Atlanta Furniture & Accessories · Anderson Furniture & Accessories · Lewiston Furniture & Accessories · Denver Furniture & Accessories · Plattsburgh Interior Designers & Decorators · Potsdam Interior Designers & Decorators · Milwaukee Interior Designers & Decorators · Medford Interior Designers & Decorators · Selma Flooring Contractors · Wichita Flooring Contractors · Dayton Flooring Contractors · Sugar Land Flooring Contractors · Amherst Flooring Contractors · Gloucester Flooring Contractors · Erie Flooring Contractors
K8Orlando
15 years ago
I learned on my mother's regular machine and look what happened to me! I became a happy, life-long fabric addict.

Jennifer: the sponge suggestion is brilliant! Thanks for sharing that idea.

Kate
geezerfolks_SharonG_FL
15 years ago
I agree with Jennifer. If the child isn't using a machine that works well, they might get discouraged and give up...we really don't want that to happen.

I learned on a treadle machine.

SharonG/FL
mary_c_gw
15 years ago
Trying to learn to sew on a toy machine is like trying to learn to cook in an EasyBake oven.

They really are terrible.

I've taught many kids to sew using my regular sewing machine.
lola99
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you all for your input. This is great. I'll use my machine to teach him.

Mary, your comment about the EasyBake oven made me laugh out loud!

Thanks,
Lola
calliope
15 years ago
I'll agree with what everybody else said. My kids started out on my (difficult and expensive) portable with lots of fancy stitches. Alls a kid needs is forward and reverse straight stitch, and perhaps a zig-zag. I got rid of that machine and bought a really cheap basic machine and I let my g'kids use that one. On her tenth b'day, my Mama/daughter and I pulled together and got my g'daughter her very own machine.

A cheap, basic adult machine probably doesn't cost much more than a fancy toy one. There is nothing wrong with a used machine, either.

There is one caveat I can think of, however for a seven year old up to maybe twelve, unless they have been getting some experience. You can bet the toys have all sorts of safety devices on them because of liability. The ram coming down with the needle is an issue for little fingers. I have nailed my own finger once or twice by having it too close to the sewing area.
kathi_mdgd
15 years ago
I started teaching my GS when he was 5 on my regular machine,the viking rose.He was always fascinated with it since he could walk and reach the desk.Didn't take him long to learn,and his first project was a pillow for himself which he had embroidered his name on ,then added sashing and backing.He also made pillowcases for his bed pillows.He got very good at it,as he's like his dad,if it has a motor,he wants to know how to work on it.

I also taught all the GD's to sew and basic quilting.

Kathi
grammyp
15 years ago
My oldest grandson (just turned 8) has been learning to use my Janome for the past year. I set the speed on slow and he does very well. Curved seams are a problem, even at slow speed, but he does quite well with straight ones.

Mary, love the comparison to the Easy Bake Oven. So true.

beverly