Buying DD sewing machine

[Sewingnovice]

My DD is turning 7 and is very keen on learning to sewing. I've been looking at sewing machines for children and the Sewing Station Sew Amazing seems to have mostly good reviews. Does anyone have any advice as to whether this is a good buy or any other makes I should consider ?
I'd also like to buy patterns and lots of fabrics for her to make clothes for her dolls . Any idea where I could get these?
I'm not very good at crafts and last sewed anything decades ago, so it's going to be a steep learning curve for me too as I'll be helping her. Thanks in advance !

I wonder if dolls clothes might be a bit small and fiddly to start, maybe something larger, with straighter runs until she gets more confident with controlling the machine. Bags or cushion covers maybe? I know it will mean more fabric to use but I think she needs to build up skills and confidence.

I wouldn't bother with a kids sewing machine, they're very under powered and she won't get much use out of it.

A basic full size model will do the job really well, my 6 yr old DD uses my Janome basic machine and never has any problems.

Something like the John Lewis £130 or Brother £100 models would be perfect.

Fabric can be purchased very cheap or cost an actual bomb depending what you're looking for. I love the Fabric Guild, they're a warehouse store in Leicester that do lots of cotton prints, they have a website which is a bit basic but does the job and they have some real bargains.

There are loads of free sewing patterns and tutorials online, a good starting point though can be the sewing magazines in supermarkets, they usually come with 2 or 3 paper patterns and lots of hints and tips as well as downloadable patterns. I wouldn't buy every month but a couple to get started would be good.

Oh and the things my DD likes to make over and over again are pillows, blankets, sleeping bags and mattresses in all sizes from LOL to big doll. Tote bags, fleece hats/snoods and wrist warmers and pencil cases.

I agree with the previous poster, a children’s sewing machine will just cause endless frustration as they don’t work very well. Buy a good, solid basic machine and it will last her years.

You can buy a safety foot for it if you are worried about her getting her fingers under the needle.

The John Lewis basic one is great & comes in fun colours.

The JL110 & JL111, for example:
www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-partners-jl111-floral-print-sewing-machine-white-multi/p4249087

Tiny clothes are a PITA to sew, I've made a few baby things and it's annoying! Doll stuff might be better done by hand

Also don't get a toy machine, so rubbish. I have a Brother machine that was about £130 and it's served me well. I think the JL mini ones might be ok but I've never used one and I've seen them second hand very cheap but you need to make sure it's in good condition.

Doll patterns are available on Etsy

@Cookerhood

The John Lewis basic one is great & comes in fun colours.

I second this

I've found lots of free patterns here - www.allfreesewing.com/

@Cookerhood

The John Lewis basic one is great & comes in fun colours.

I third it.

Both my dc learnt to use an ordinary sewing machine

I 4th it, kids sewing machines don’t work very well so may put her off.

As for fabric our local store does a fill a bag for a tenner option for off cuts it’s worth seeing if you have anywhere that might do similar

Thank you for the helpful advice. I'd rather get something reliable & I think DD will love the floral pattern on that JOhn Lewis machine.
I can see we'll have to start with something less fiddly - my sewing skills alone are so rusty!
There's a haberdashery in a local furniture shop, I'll see if they sell off cuts.
Very useful thank you, thank heavens for Mumsnet!

I agree, don’t bother with a child’s sewing machine. I bought one for my daughter and it was unnecessary. She’s fine using my adult one.
If you can find one nearby (when restrictions allow), i recommend booking a lesson for her on how to use it. I did that for my daughter and she took her own sewing machine and made some simple felt bags with ribbon handles which she loved, since then she’s made cushion covers and bunting, she made some Christmas stockings too. Nothing that needs a sewing pattern, but i think she could do that now.
She has also made herself a simple elasticated waistband skirt.

I'll definitely look into that, didn't know sewing lessons were available. Perhaps I can tag along too

If you subscribe to Love patchwork & quilting magazine at the moment you get a free basic Janome sewing machine.

There are a couple of good kids books called “my first sewing machine”

I’ve been helping my friends daughter . I had my old machine for her which was probably a bit advanced for a 9yo (it’s a basic computerised Janome) but it is surplus to my requirements.

But her Gran bought her a kids machine before I could drop it off. It’s crap.

A basic adult machine is a much better buy. If you can stretch one with a speed limiter is helpful but they do cost a little more.

Thank you @Acovic I've already bought one though, I got the pretty floral John Lewis one. I also found that book on Amazon!
Now I just need to find lots of inexpensive fabric.....

I think its great that you and your DD can learn to sew together! I taught myself from YouTube over the past couple of years.

Fabric cost ranges massively. Start with cotton / polycotton as it doesn't slide about. I bought some bed sheets from Primark initially to practice with. Pound Fabrics online is also very cheap.

Get a pair of scissors to only use for fabrics too. Never use them on anything else.

I'd start by running a lot of different stitches over a piece of fabric in lines and letting her practice doing that and looking what they all look like. Then make a drawstring bag from a YouTube video. Very simple but very rewarding!

Good luck, you'll be making dresses between you in no time!

That's a brilliant idea to practise on sheets. I'm really all at sea here so making notes of all your tips!

My love Embroidery magazine has an offer for a free Janome sewing machine worth £119 with subscriptions to quilting as mentioned above and simply sewing. I have subscribed to that before - you get loads of free patterns each month with lots of beginner ones and stuff for kids .Might be a good option - machine plus lots of ideas of things to make . Subscription is about £80 for the year I think

@2beesornot2beesthatisthehoney such a pity I already bought a machine but will consider subscribing to that magazine at a later date. First will just practice on the bed sheets!