People who sew: Could someone recommend a first sewing machine

[coffeenap]

for a 12 year old? (One that doesn't fall apart upon first use like the Singers made in China.) Thanks!

[noonwitch]

1. When I was a kid, I had a JC Penney kid's sewing machine

It was really well made, too. That thing held up through my abuse and my mom was even able to sell it at a garage sale. That was the 70s-it was probably made by Singer, but we didn't trade with China back then.

[Dora]

2. Buy a used entry-level machine.

Call around to some machine dealers and repair shops and see what they have. My sewing machine store takes trade-ins, so they always have used machines in stock.

I think you're better off buying a 5-15 year old machine that's been put through it's paces, rather than a bottom-of-the-barrel new one that could crap out when s/he decides to sew denim curtains for his/her bedroom.

[BikeWriter]

3. My ex used to buy any old Singers she found at garage sales...

Her kids learned how to sew on them.

[KitchenWitch]

4. Try to find a used Sears Kenmore.

[jmowreader]

5. There's a sale every year you should attend

The "claimed" reason for this sale is that Singer or whoever makes a brazillion home ec-grade sewing machines (very tough machines) in anticipation of all these orders from schools; the orders never materialize and the company dumps the remaining machines.

I think the real reason is that they get all their school orders, then make machines on top of that so they'll have plenty for the sale.

Anyway, these home ec-grade sewing machines are exceptionally durable, and they have all the features a beginning sewer needs...which, considering they're designed with the home ec market in mind, is kind of the point.

[seemunkee]

6. How much?

Bernina makes some lower priced models that I believe are under $200
My daughter recently bought a Singer 6038 through Amazon for ~200 and is satisfied so far with it. She's a beginner sewer.

[bleedingheart]

7. how much do you want to spend? and where do you live

Viking (high end sewing machines) just came out with a new low end model for around $150...it would be a good one for a child to learn upon as well as for an adult to use for repairs...etc

I have a Viking and I love it..but mine is a bit more advanced...

[coffeenap]

8. Thanks everyone--all good ideas. I settled this afternoon on a

new Kenmore. (These newfangled machines have more features for $150 than my 20 year old fancy, schmancy one ever dreamed of!)

[zanne]

9. I tried to hem some pants today...

I put them on, looked in a full-length mirror, measured them and pinned them up. Then I carefully cut away the excess hem and sewed them with extra-fine stitches, so it wouldn't show. When I tried them on to admire my masterpiece, I realized that I had hemmed them on the OUTSIDE of my pants! Nobody is more pathetic at sewing than I am. Seriously.

[Dora]

10. Oh, that's so how it is!

isn't that the shits? :rofl:

I hope you can correct the hem without any damage to the pants.

:rofl:

[arwalden]

11. My First Sewing Machine Was An Entry-Level Husqvarna Viking.

It was the "Sophia" model and it performs beautifully. The only thing I'd change about it is their "proprietary" sized bobbins. If you want extra bobbins, you'll need to buy them from your Husqvarna dealer... Joann Fabrics doesn't sell them.