First sewing machine

[fandabbydozier]

My daughter has asked for a sewing machine for Christmas - can anyone recommend a first sewing machine suitable for a 6/7 year old? I'm clueless!

Thanks

My daughter got a hobbycraft midi one at that age and loves it. It does everything she needs and more.

I used the cheapest John Lewis one with my DC from around age 8, but was always supervised. I don't know much about child-spevific machines.

I'd be tempted to get a normal one and supervisor her with it .Nothing worse than getting a small/toy one and i doesn't sew properly.

Personally I'd get a full size machine, that way it will last longer. Get the best you can too as components on cheaper machines can be flimsy. John Lewis do an entry level machine for £130.  https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-partners-jl110-sewing-machine-white/p317685?tmad=c&tmcampid=7&sshare=jlappioss_Y29tLmFwcGxlLlVJS2l0LmFjdGl2aXR5LkNvcHlUb1Bhc3RlYm9hcmQ=

I had the John Lewis mini one as my first one as an adult then the normal JL one. I'd start with the mini and upgrade in a few years but I even managed curtain alterations on the mini one.

I agree with the pp who said get a full sized machine; I have a very cheap emergency machine in case mine ever needs a repair & it's not very good to sew on (and noisy too compared to my Janome).

I looked at the JL ones a few times before being gifted the Janome & would probably have gone for one of those to begin with.

Definitely recommend the John Lewis basic one, easy to use and comes in some great colours (I have purple!)

Thanks very much for your replies. Looks like John Lewis is the place to go. I'll be supervising initially but would like to let her loose once she has got the hang of it.

I've got a Husqvarna Viking Freesia and let my kids learn on it. DS was using it from about 7 and still likes to "help" when I'm sewing now by hemming things, even though he is grown up. I would suggest getting one that can be used by an adult because it will last her a long time, my mum had her childhood machine from the late 50s until about 10 years ago.

I got my daughter one from hobby craft last year as you get free 1 to 1 classes at your local hobby craft shop when you buy from them.