Children love to learn how to make things.
Watching you make a quilt can undoubtedly inspire your child to learn how to sew.
Small quilting projects can build your child’s confidence and sewing skills.
By investing in a kid’s sewing machine, you will inspire your young one to build on those skills and share a much-loved hobby with you.
Choosing a children’s sewing machine requires some care.
You’ll need to think about safety, function, and cost.
Happily, you’ll find many good models on the market that are much better than cheaply made toy sewing machines.
- At What Age Can a Child Use a Sewing Machine?
- What is the Best Sewing Machine for a Child?
- 7 of the Best Sewing Machines for Kids
- 1. Brother XM2701 Sewing Machine with 27 Built-in Stitches
- 2. Brother HC1850 Sewing and Quilting Machine, 185 Built-in Stitches
- 3. SINGER | M1500 Sewing Machine with 57 Stitch Applications
- 4. NEX Portable Sewing Machine Double Speeds for Beginner
- 5. Janome MOD-30 Computerized Sewing Machine with 30 Built-In Stitches
- 6. Brother Sewing Machine, XM1010, 10 Built-in Stitches
- 7. Janome 2212 Sewing Machine Includes Exclusive Bonus Bundle
- Two Machines Are Better Than One
At What Age Can a Child Use a Sewing Machine?
There is no hard-and-fast rule about when a child can sew, so let your parental judgment guide you. Some five-year-olds are ready to sew, whereas other kids need a few more years to develop manual dexterity and confidence with machines.
You’ll want to provide children ages 4 to 7 with full supervision when they sew. Help them learn skills one at a time. For example, you could operate the power while the child feeds fabric under the needle, allowing the child to focus on one task.
After getting good at feeding fabric, then a child can try controlling the power. By age 8, most kids can sew with partial supervision after training them to use the machine.
What is the Best Sewing Machine for a Child?
The precise model that is the best fit for your child depends on his or her age and ability to follow directions.
Since your child may want to quilt alongside you, make sure to select a model that can handle multiple fabric layers.
You should stick with the major sewing machine brands with a proven track record for quality and performance. Avoid a sewing machine for kids categorized as a toy because it can’t do much and will probably break.
Here are some kid-friendly sewing machine features to look for:
- Sufficient weight to ensure stability on the table
- A selection of built-in stitches
- Automatic needle threader
- Drop-in top bobbin
7 of the Best Sewing Machines for Kids
Any of these kid-friendly sewing machines could work for your child. As you compare each kids’ sewing machine review, think about how a model could best support your child’s interest in sewing and quilting.
1. Brother XM2701 Sewing Machine with 27 Built-in Stitches
At about 12 pounds, the Brother XM2701 will stay in place as your kid sews. A kids’ sewing machine that is easy to thread and resists bobbin jams prepares your kid for success. This model has an automatic needle threader and top bobbin to prevent frustrating delays with getting the thread ready.
The 27 built-in stitches offer your kid plenty of opportunities for fun and experimentation with just a turn of a dial. On top of coming with a booklet, the machine includes a DVD instructional video that makes information accessible to young learners.
Pros:
- 25-year limited warranty
- Comes with extra bobbins, needles, and sewing feet
- 27 built-in stitches
- Automatic needle threader
Con:
- Loose thread tension possible
2. Brother HC1850 Sewing and Quilting Machine, 185 Built-in Stitches
Preteens can get creative with this more advanced Brother model. With a whopping 185 built-in stitches, your young sewer can try new ideas.
The automatic buttonhole feature with eight sizes allows a child to learn sewing skills beyond basic seams. The wide table extends beyond the needle and foot area, making it very helpful when working on larger quilts.
The drop feed system can help anyone do free-motion quilting with confidence.
The Brother HC1850 comes with eight presser feet and a needle threader that lets a kid get to the fun part of sewing without struggling to thread a needle. Users can control power with the foot pedal or buttons. Kids will feel right at home with modern button controls and an LCD screen.
This machine may be a bit much for the youngest sewers who need to focus on the basics, but it’s an excellent choice for enthusiastic young quilters.
Pros:
- 25-year limited warranty
- Automatic threader
- Drop-in jam-resistant bobbin
- DVD and bilingual user manual
Con:
- Noisy operation
3. SINGER | M1500 Sewing Machine with 57 Stitch Applications
The Singer brand name has been synonymous with sewing for over a century. The M1500 could be an excellent machine for beginners.
It has plenty of great features but does not overwhelm with too many buttons and controls. A single dial introduces kids to 57 stitch applications.
The sewing machine includes three different presser feet, a darning plate, and extra bobbins and needles. Kids can learn about machine maintenance, too, by using the needle plate screwdriver and lint brush that comes with it.
Pros:
- 1-year warranty
- Affordable price point
- Simple controls
Con:
- No automatic needle threader
4. NEX Portable Sewing Machine Double Speeds for Beginner
If you want to avoid busting your budget, this beginner sewing machine for kids has cute good looks. This affordable NEX portable sewing machine saves you from spending too much only to watch your child lose interest in sewing after a weekend.
Hopefully, that won’t happen, and your child can use this machine to master working the foot pedal and feeding fabric into the needle. Any child can effortlessly choose from the 12 stitch patterns by operating numbered pictograph buttons.
Pros:
- Carrying handle
- Online instructional video
- LED work light
Cons:
- Must avoid plugging in when the battery is in use
- No automatic needle threader
5. Janome MOD-30 Computerized Sewing Machine with 30 Built-In Stitches
When you know that your kid has caught the sewing bug, you could invest in a fancy computerized sewing machine. The manufacturer backs up the machine with a 25-year limited warranty.
A single-hand needle threader saves time, and the clear bobbin cover lets you see when you’re getting low on thread.
The free arm and drop feed features adapt well to quilting, and the backlit LCD screen makes the settings easy to see at a glance. A young person can achieve impressive results with practice. The seven-piece feed dog system and special needle plate enable precise work.
Pros:
- Bobbin resists jams
- Sews multiple layers
- One-hand needle threader
- 25-year limited warranty
Con:
- No built-in thread cutter
6. Brother Sewing Machine, XM1010, 10 Built-in Stitches
This Brother model has all of the basics covered. With ten built-in stitches, an automatic needle threader, and a drop-in top bobbin, your child will be on the path to success with this sewing machine designed for beginners.
Use the free arm when working on small items and select different stitches with a dial that any child can immediately understand. Like other Brother sewing machines, it comes with a 25-year limited warranty. The product comes with four presser feet, four bobbins, and three needles.
Pros:
- Durable machine
- Automatic needle threader
- DVD instructional video
Con:
- Bobbin hard to thread
7. Janome 2212 Sewing Machine Includes Exclusive Bonus Bundle
Janome designed this model for beginners. It provides good functionality but does not overwhelm with a complicated menu. Although the machine only includes six built-in stitches, those are enough to develop a child’s skills.
At close to 15 pounds, the sewing machine is stable for a child to use safely. The bonus bundle supplies extra items to help your child keep going when needles to be replaced. With ten included bobbins, your child can also set up many thread colors for a day of fun.
Pros:
- Sews multiple fabric layers
- Good instructions with pictures
- Controls easy to understand
Con:
- No needle threader
More Related Articles
5 Best Sewing Machines For Quilting In 2021
15 Of The Best Sewing Scissors For Quilters
8 Basic Quilting Tools For Beginners
Two Machines Are Better Than One
Buying your child a sewing machine means that you will have an extra machine on hand if your machine needs repairs. Most importantly, you get to teach your kid a useful life skill and perhaps encourage a lifelong hobby.
By giving your kid a sewing machine, you won’t have to worry about your child fiddling with the settings on your machine.
Your second machine could also serve as your portable sewing machine should you attend a class or join a quilting group.
