Child sewing machine recommendations

[InDireStraits]

Can anyone recommend a sewing machine suitable for 8yo please? The reviews of most of the ones I’ve found online are very mixed. Thanks

Depending on your budget, I’d try and find an old Singer hand crank sewing machine or a basic modern machine (such as a Brother Innov-is 15) with a speed control button. Don’t buy a cheap modern Singer as they’re poor quality and you’ll find most repair shops won’t touch them.

However, sewing machines have been very popular during lockdown so most shops have very limited stock.

Are you a competent sewer yourself and able to teach her the basics? I think that’s probably more important than the machine to be honest.

I learnt on an old singer with a handle when I was little but it was soooo temperamental & jammed every few minutes. I used to find it so frustrating. I do know how to sew but don’t really want to let them loose on my machine just yet!

We’ve got the Brother LK145 for dd11. It’s supposed to be a good one for a beginner per reviews I’ve read (I know nothing about sewing!). Hobbycraft have some reasonably priced sewing machines which have good reviews.

Thanks, I like the look of one of the hobbycraft ones - not sure why I didn’t think to look there already!

My daughter has been using my sewing Machine for years. She's twelve now and pretty competent on both of them. I have a brother and a Jamone. I would just buy a C normal basic machine . Go by reviews on Amazon or look at reviews on which maybe? It's an excellent skill to learn.

Unfortunately most of the little mini machines (that have an adaptor and are low powered) just go wrong very quickly. Id maybe look out for a secondhand machine or get one to share? Does she sew and make things already?

If you can find an old Elna Lotus in working order they are excellent small simple machines , you might find one about £60.

John Lewis do a fairly cheap own brand one (I think it's JL110 or 111) which come in pretty colours but us actually a reasonable machine. It's made by Janome.

I agree with others, avoid the mini ones. DD age 9 got one and it's a complete waste of space. I've got a simple old machine myself, second hand ten years ago, and she is learning with that fine under supervision.

I was given my first sewing machine at about the same age and my Mum just gave me a basic adult Singer machine. My ten year old DD also has a basic Singer and gets on fine with it. Just make sure you explain the safety rules carefully. I always make my daughter wear safety goggles when using her machine. You can also buy a special foot that will prevent them being able to sew through their fingers.

I think it is better to just buy a simple adult machine. I used the one I had from 8 years old until I bought a new machine to make my wedding dress. A bad sewing machine will just put your daughter off using it.