Advice About Sewing Machines for 11 Year Old

Her machine should have basic straight stitch, zig zag, button hole, zipper foot, etc...there isn't any reason to get her something that she won't grow with.

She doesn't have to use all those tools right off but she can use what she needs if it's there.

Please consider a name brand for her. It doesn't have to be the top of the line it can be their dumbed down machine.

We've had a Brother from Walmart for several years for one of my grand kids and it's a good machine. Just as a simple brand name one would be too. I have both Bernina and a New Home sewing machine and my serger is a Juki. My mother in law had a very expensive sewing machines, She had a machine in this room with black thread and a different sewing machine in another room with white thread, then one in the den with nylon thread, and one on the breakfast bar with gray thread. She was able to do a repair on any garment in seconds because she had a machine set up ready for that. Plus she had 2 sergers.

You don't have to have that extreme.

Please ask grandma if she'd like to gift a good machine to granddaughter for Christmas. That will take care of it all.

It sounds like your mom is a good resource for her and it is so kind of her to teach your daughter. What brand does your mom suggest? My Grandmother was a seamstress and loved her Singer but the Singer machines today are nothing like the older ones as far as quality.

Do you have any sewing centers around you? When our daughter was about 14, she took an interest in sketching clothing and wanted to sew. She had sewing classes at school and the machines they use in our school district are BabyLock. I figured they must be good machines to stay in good shape with students sewing and messing with them daily! We both know how some of the machines get handled roughly by students!

We bought a middle of the road BabyLock for a little less than $400. This one has several stitching options and makes buttonholes. The cheaper version was not that much cheaper and did not make button holes or have stitching options. The higher end version got into more sophisticated types of sewing and per the sales rep, was probably too much machine for a beginner.

We have been very happy with this machine. My daughter sews a lot and creates things. She is almost 20 now and lives in her own condo. She made drapes over the summer that look very professional. She has made several other items for her condo as well.

Best wishes !

I've taught home economics. I've not looked at machines for many years. When I was teaching we used middle of the line sturdy machines. I agree with not getting a cheap machine. If they still make ones that are primarily metal I'd require that. We used the new Singer that was plastic and they were constantly a problem. I no longer trust Singer. The next year we used Husquverna and I loved them. When I was shopping for a machine 10 or so years ago I found Husquverna too expensive. I bought a Brother middle of the line machine that is metal. I could use my metal bobbins. Plastic ones jhst didn't hold up if doing a lot of sewing. It has numerous stitches that you use a dial to access including a buttonhole stitch. I still use this machine and like it.

I agree to go to a sewing center to shop. They have several brands and levels of intricacies and a professional person to help you decide. They will have had experience with several models as well as information from sewers about their experiences. I would take your mother with you because she'll be the one helping your daughter.

When I was 10, my parents got me a 'top of the line' sears kenmore machine. I had been learning to sew from a neighbor. I still, more than 40 years later, use this machine. It weighs a TON (all parts are metal), and it has 'cams' for special stitches (no computer, obviously...lol). It remains my favorite machine! (and I have 3 others, as well as a serger, and an industrial machine).

I would suggest craigs list, or maybe even estate sales to look for something sturdy that will get the job done!

I will be interested in reading other answers.

Best!

(**oh, and have YOU thought of learning too? It seems to be a dying art!**)

I have a Singer that I absolutely LOVE. I got it from Costco for less than $200 several years ago. I have made everything from kids costumes to drapes to soccer banners on that machine. The only thing I've tried and couldn't master was sewing suede.

I would look on Craigslist like the other post recommended. If it were me, I would start with a portable machine (not in a cabinet) so she can take it with her to Grandma's house and they can sew together. If she loves sewing and stays committed, I would then consider investing in a better machine. In the meanwhile, she and Grandma can SKYPE and sew together.

My mother taught me how to sew around the same age. She bought me a machine so I'd leave hers alone and I didn't have the patience for it. We eventually gave the machine away. It wasn't until years later that I got the sewing bug (and some patience) and bought my Singer.

I hope your daughter loves it. It's a great skill to have.

You should be able to find a good one for 200 or less. I would not purchase a child sewing machine since it wont last.

My MIL got my daughter one from Joann fabrics for about 150, I am sure its a Singer and it works just fine for a beginner.

Updated

You should be able to find a good one for 200 or less. I would not purchase a child sewing machine since it wont last.

My MIL got my daughter one from Joann fabrics for about 150, I am sure its a Singer and it works just fine for a beginner.

Brother LX3125E Compact and Lightweight Electric Sewing Machine, 14 Built-In Stitches, Built-in Accessory Storage

My 10 yr old daughter started taking sewing lessons this year and loves it. I had an 15 year old (practically unused) Singer that I bought from Costco that I couldn't figure out and neither could she. I ended selling it for $50.

She LOVED the basic Brother sewing machine her teacher had. She said she got them at Walmart for about $70. I couldn't find any at Walmart when I called around. So I ordered it from Amazon.

My daughter said she loved it because it was easy to use and she felt comfortable on it because that's what she used in class.

I've been very happy with my White sewing machine. Easy to use and it was less than $200. It's lasted me 15 years so far, and still going strong.

We have stores here that sell just vacuums and sewing machines, and they fix them, too. I suggest you go to a store like that to buy your machine, and they will teach you how to use it and let you practice under the supervision of an employee. Learn along with your daughter. Or, why don't you suggest to your mother that she purchase a sewing machine for your daughter for Christmas or her birthday?

If you have a dealer for Janome or Brother/Babylock, go that route. Even if it is a used machine it will be better than some of the low priced specials at the box stores.

I have a Brother that I paid $150 for and it is a good basic machine for a beginner. There are stitches on it that will allow the new sewer to "grow into" so that there is room to continue to use and explore as you get better. It does automatic buttonholes which is a godsend when you make a blouse or need other openings for drawstrings. It is lightweight and can be moved around easily.

Singers were the go to machine when I was growing up but over time the company fell on hard times and was sold. The Singer company of today is not the one of yesteryear and the quality is not there.

Good luck with your daughter's new craft that will bring many hours of happy creativeness. In fact you may even want to join her and make things for yourself or your home.

the other S.

PS If you have a Bernina dealer nearby you could stop by with your daughter and see what they have in trade-ins. These machines have been fully serviced and are ready to go. They will also do lessons on the use of the machine and when needed you have a repair shop to fix the machine.