Sewing Machine for 7 year old beginner

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Hello, as per the title, my 7 year old DC has asked for a sewing machine for Christmas. Can anyone recommend one for a complete beginner? Thanks.

John Lewis own brand machine. The full sized one. They are made by janome and are easy to use and good for a beginner. Don't be tempted by a tiny machine aimed at kids becuaee all the ones I have seen are unreliable and difficult to use unless you are very familiar with sewing machines.

www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-jl110-sewing-machine-peppermint/p3723125?s_ppc=2dx_mixed_home_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20158968166&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0qjD-tjdkAMV_pZQBh2VFS24EAQYASABEgIv_PD_BwE

Thank you for replying. Yes I've seen that one and like the look of it. I wondered if it might be over the top for a beginner but it's looking like the best option so far. I wonder (perhaps optimistically) if it might be in a Black Friday sale or something 🙏🏻

You might be able to find one second hand on ebay? Or there was a thread on here last month where people were recommending some older machines which might be cheaper secondhand. A secondhand machine will probably need servicing though so that will add a bit.

Some versions of the JL machines were on sale last week (the patterned ones), so it wouldn't be surprising if that happened again for Black Friday.

Those JL ones are perfect for a beginner. If memory serves they are based on a Janome.

I bought one for my DC to use

I also got a needle guard for them when the where a similar age as I was scared theywould sew their fingerd! Didn't use it more than once or twice though.

I also go them some sewing lessons locally and they sewed up a pencil case a placemats and a tote bag.

I learned to sew very young. Sewing machines are easy to learn and you only need to use the simple functions to start with. The most frustrating thing is a crappy toy/miniature/childs machine that won't sew straight or through any thickness, would basically be a waste of money and put anyone off. The JL/Janome basic machine is a great starting point.

Also a class maybe for you both to learn the basics of threading up and simple seams/hems/patterns.Example

If someone is going to sew they also need a few tools: sharp scissors, pins, needles, tape measure etc and maybe a book. I remember getting a little starter sewing kit from my parents for a birthday when I was 7 or 8, still have some of the items! I would pick up the individual items from John Lewis/Hobbycraft/Boyes as the ones in the cheap ready made sewing kits tend to be Christmas cracker quality.

When you say learned to sew very young, do you mean by hand initially or with a sewing machine? Agree with your point about sewing machines made for kids, they don't look great to be honest. Great idea about the classes, that is something I'd love to do if we can find something similar in our area. And thank you for a good list of extras to get started.
I might look for a second hand one or keep an eye out for Black Friday deals 🤞🏻

Hi, I think I was handsewing about 5/6 (cross stitch kind of thing) and certainly using a hand crank sewing machine under 10. And having a go on my mum's electric machine. I had my own electric machine about 11 or 12 I think. It was my main hobby though, I was obsessed with all kinds of crafts and my mum was always sewing.

7 is a little young but they grow up quickly and as long as she's supervised and careful with speed, there's not much that can go wrong.

Definitely keep an eye on your local secondhand pages, there are always plenty of sewing machines.

https://www.wavesandwild.com/shop/learn-to-sew-for-kids-and-teens/

this is a good online course if you can’t find a face to face one and usually has a Black Friday sale

deffo get a full sized machine the brother ls14 or John Lewis ones are good

I came to recommend the John Lewis one, but I can see that everybody else already did. The cheap machines not only have low quality components but also tend to be very lightweight. Lightweight machines move more as they sew and that causes tension issues.

I would also say get decent thread, not cheap stuff from Lidl or Aldi etc as bad thread can cause jamming or skipped stitches. I use Aurifil or Mettler 50wt cotton because I use it for making quilts, but Gutermann is widely available, decently priced and good quality. Also get branded needles, not mystery needles, Schmetz are good and probably the most widely available, I use Janome purple tip in my Janome machine but will also use Schmetz if I can't get Janome for some reason.

I forgot to say that the reason that I recommend the JL or a basic Janome is that my friend used to teach primary school kids sewing and she used the JL machines. She taught for about 4 or 5 years using them and then was able to sell them second hand when she stopped doing kids' classes, so they stood up to a reasonable amount of abuse by kids who didn't know what they were doing.

I'm so glad I found this thread - my DD13 adores sewing at school and loves to customise her own clothes. I saw this thread, mentioned it to her and she was enamoured at the thought of her own proper sewing machine. She's really hard to buy for and finally we have a main Christmas gift. Thanks all for the suggestions - John Lewis it is.