Please recommend me a sewing machine for an 8 year old child

[Geranium879]

DD keen on sewing and this is the only thing she’s asked for for her 8th birthday. I think a very simple one (that she won’t get frustrated with) would be best . She doesn’t need to do any fancy stitching or anything, probably just running stitch and maybe one other… Has anybody got a good recommendation please. I’ll get her some lovely fabric bits and threads too. Many thanks.

Lidl had them earlier this week. Google reviews but I expect it will be excellent (all their & Aldi’s other sewing stuff is great).

My DH who’s an engineer, chose a Frister Rossman Cub for our granddaughter. He bought it on ebay and restored it himself, but he said recently one came up that had been fully serviced by the charity selling it. Just make sure the foot pedal is included because they’re unique to the machine. He was particularly impressed with the quality, they’re solid, well made machines with all metal parts, unlike modern machines which are flimsy and mostly plastic.

Alternative to the Frister Rossman- an Elna Lotus. It was a classic of the 70s/80s, there are loads still around in good condition and they can still be serviced and maintained. Its an all-metal, compact size machine that will sit on an A4 sheet of paper, but stitches perfectly with strength and precision of a full size machine. It was my first sewing machine as a child and I still have one, in fact used it today while my big machine is being serviced. Lovely example

I got my Neice a small one from Hobbycraft a couple of years ago for about £60. Waste of money! Sews very poorly and is awkward to use. My tip is don’t be tempted to get one. Get a proper “adult” one.

How much do you want to spend? Janome do really good basic ones for about £150 new, but you could pick up one second hand for much cheaper. If you're getting it second hand then make sure the seller demonstrates it for you to check everything works properly.

How exciting for her! I got into sewing at about the same age and used my mum's machine - I absolutely loved it 😊

Absolutely agree - don't waste your money on small 'children's' machines

This one?

https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-jl111-sketchy-dog-print-sewing-machine-light-blue/p5548485

I think Janome make JL machines.

I’ve got one of those! I must have had it for 40 years - still going strong!

Just buy a Brother sewing machine from John Lewis or their own brand ones or any around £100. Buy a decent basic machine.

@LetthemeatgateauI was going to link that one too

I got the John Lewis one with cute flower prints on for my 9 year old last year - both of us completely new to sewing machines - it’s been pretty easy to use and I got her a beginners book of things to make to go with it and she has worked her way through hair scrunchies (made loads for her school friends) pencil cases, key rings etc. she gets the £5 fat quarts from hobbycraft
it doesn’t have lots of fancy functions but for a child beginner it’s perfect and just a bit more “special” in that it’s not plain boring white and they come in different designs

Another vote for the John Lewis ones. They are made by janome and are very robust and easy to use.

My niece got the John Lewis one at 8 years old, it's been very easy to use and reliable.

Reference small machines that do a chain type top stitch. They have no bottom thread/bobbin so the stitch is bound to come undone. My machine of choice (as a former Textiles teacher to 11yr olds is a Bernina. Old ones are on auction site at reasonable prices.

Thanks everyone. I’m glad I asked as am clueless - duly noted to get a basic, decent adult one rather than a crappy kids one.

I was interested to read this thread as I'd like a simple sewing machine for myself. Can these simple adult ones be used with a walking foot which you use for quilting? Thanks.

@Viviennemary the John Lewis one can. Make sure it is the normal sized one though and not the smaller version as that is crap, really tempremental and you can't change the foot.

Thanks. Is that the Sketchy dog one? Or a different John Lewis one. So much choice.

The other ones are just different colours/ patterns. The sketchy dog one will be fine.

Def don’t buy a child’s one, they are rubbish. Craft charity shops often have good used machine plus they always have fabric pieces, threads etc. Rowans have several craft shops, whereabouts are you?

John Lewis or basic Janome (John Lewis use Janome as their model) it’s easy to use, has a needle threader built in, threading is straight forward but it has decent power and can easily sew through a few layers of cotton, wouldn’t trust it with several layers of leather or multiple layers of denim but it could do jeans.

You can buy all sort of feet that fit including walking foot as asked above.

I did have a sewing machine years ago but it was so complicated I gave it to my Mum. Who didnt really use it much either! So I'm ready to try again with an easier one.

@Viviennemary look for the Brother Star series.
30 years ago I was working in a fabric store. I bought my Brother Star 3 . At that time is was the model being supplied to Essex schools. Strong simple to use with a metal body (plastic outer casing)
I was also able to buy a Brother walking foot to go with it.

I still have it but nowadays I sew on an all bells and whistles Juki.

@OP and anyone else who buys a machine without built in needle threader I have a tip for you - use tweezers to hold the thread. And by tweezers not the ones in your manicure set. I mean the large ones with the angled tip available to buy in good haberdashery shops.

As a child I learned to sew on a manual Singer machine, my own children used the same one when they first started - mainly because I thought it was safer than letting them loose on an electric one to begin with.

i would say the same as most of those above in get a good basic adult one. Lots of them come with speed limiters, so that might be a consideration too