6 top tips for buying your children their first sewing machine - helpful beginners guide!
- My Little Flamingo
- Sep 30
- 5 min read
If your child, is showing an interest in sewing, then the best way to get them started is with their very own sewing machine! Nurturing their creativity through textile based crafts is a fantastic way for them to develop a sense of self through self expression. If your child loves to work on a project then purchasing a basic machine is the ideal way to help them acquire and develop their sewing skills and techniques. So lets dive straight in with my helpful beginners guide to sewing machines for children...
Tip 1: Avoid toy sewing machines
These can be found in many toy shops and online at a very budget friendly price, but don't be fooled! Often these machines are tricky to use, unreliable and don't sew very well, even if you do manage to get them to work. My first piece of advice would be to purchase a standard, basic machine instead. This way you can guarantee that it will sew properly and your child's project will last!
Typically, children don't really develop the fine motor skills needed for operating a sewing machine until around 8 years old. Your child will need to be able to thread up a machine, manipulate the fabric with their hands whilst adjusting the pressure on the foot pedal and remembering the techniques for whatever they are sewing. Sewing requires a lot of concentration and your child should be of an age where they can operate the machine safely and have the mental capacity to work as an individual (with minimal help when needed).
However, if your child is much younger and desperate to sew then please don't let my advice stop you! If you're willing to work alongside your little one and offer them help and guidance throughout a project then this can be a great activity for the both of you!!!
Tip 2: Set yourself a budget
This will be the main deciding factor for which type of machine you will go onto to buy for your child. You may feel nervous about spending a lot of money on a new craft, especially if they are a complete beginner - but there's several things you can do when you're working with a budget...
Be realistic and then look at machines at the top of your budget. Typically, the more you spend, the better the machine will be. You'll often find that you'll get more stitches and added extras as well as the engine within the machine being of a better quality, adding to it's longevity.
Ask friends and family to see whether they have a machine lying around that they're not using. Borrowing a machine is a great way to gage whether it's worth committing to buying your child one. Just check that they've still got the instruction manual because every machine works differently. If not, check online to see whether you can download it.
Purchase a second-hand machine. Browse Facebook Marketplace, Ebay, Vinted and other similar platforms for a real bargain. Again, make sure you can access the instruction manual and always check that all the parts are present and get the seller to show you it working before you take it away.
Wait for a sale - a great time of year to shop for sewing machines is in the January sales! But also keep an eye out for Amazon Prime Days, Black Friday deals and closing down sales for crazy reductions throughout the year.
Tip 3: Type of machine
The 2 main types of sewing machines are computeristed and mechanical. A mechanical machine is operated by dials and switches and a computerised one will have a digital screen for stitch selection. Ultimately, both types of machines will do the same job - it will depend on what your child will find easier to use.
Base your decision on your child's age and attention span. If they're quite young and just want to jump straight into sewing a small project like a bookmark, then a really basic, mechanical machine will be more than enough. It will also be easier for you to understand when they need your help. Just keep in mind that, as a beginner, your child does not need a complicated expensive machine for basic projects!
Tip 4: Choose basic features
For most basic sewing projects all your child will need are straight and zig zag stitches - with the ability to change the stitch length and width. But if they are showing a keen interest in developing their skills then extra stitches such as buttonholes, lightning stitch (for stretch fabrics) and edge finishing stitches will see them through pretty much all projects. A lot of machines come with an array of stitches and this can be really overwhelming! My personal machine has the capability of over 60 different stitches and, to be honest, I probably only use about 5 of them on a regular basis!
Tip 5: Stick to the top brands
When it comes to reliability, support and repair it's best to stick with the larger names, such as...
Juki
Janome
Brother
Bernina
Pfaff
Husquavana Viking
Singer
But, there are also some decent machines provided by Hobbycraft and John Lewis that will also give you the same level of warranty.
Top 6: Safety first!
Always be present with younger children when they are working on a sewing project. Sewing machines have lots of fast moving parts, including the needle. Please be aware that these can easily go through their little fingers - believe me when I say it really hurts!!! Plus, we often work with other sharp implements including, pins, scissors and rotary cutters. It's always a great idea to start with a little safety lesson by teaching your child how to use everything correctly, like where to place their hands when using the machine. If you're not a sewer yourself then you might want to consider enrolling them onto some local sewing lessons to get them started - these can also be a great activity for them during the school holidays!
Top Machines that I would recommend for beginners...
Janome DMX200 - approx £180
Janome 224a - approx £120
Brother L14s - approx £80
Brother LS14S - approx £90
Brother RL425 - approx £160
Brother LX17 - approx £150
Hobbycraft 19S - approx £90
John Lewis JL110 - approx £140
If you have found this blog post useful then I would really appreciate a 'like' and/or comment! I'd love to know about your little one's sewing interests and please do let me know how they are getting on with their sewing adventures!
And just as a little side note - for animal-inspired handmade children's clothing and accessories, please feel free to browse my website...
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