When to start a young girl on a sewing machine

[GrammaJudy]

I have been teaching my 8 & 9 year old granddaughters to do hand sewing and embroidery. They really want to quilt on the machine but I am a little hesitant to let them. Any advice or suggestions on how to introduce the machine safely? I have looked at the small machines for beginners but am not sure if they are even worth the cost.

[mspepper]

My 4 1/2 year old granddaughter uses my machine with lots of supervision. I can turn the speed down, so I do that. We go over safety every time she wants to sew. She can do straight seems and made a pillow case the other day. I do all cutting and ironing. I would say go slow, go over safety, make sure they know that the needle can go through their fingers, so keep them safe.
Don't think I helped, but maybe.

[Andrea F]

I sewed with my 9-year old niece a few weeks ago and we made a bag for her. I did all the cutting and ironing and I slowed the machine to the minimum speed and she sewed all the seams. I think she is old enough and when I remind her every time of being careful and tell her what could happen if she isn´t, she will get used to it. At least I hope so. And I am always right by her side when she sews.

[Hulamoon]

I was eight when my mom bought me a regular (I think Kenmore) machine. It was the best Christmas. My Grandmother( on my dads side) had a White and was teaching me when I went to visit. So my mom surprised me one year because I was always talking about it.

[Cheyenne]

I taught my son at this age and he did great. I sat behind him for awhile, just holding his hands, keeping them where they should be. I also could turn down the speed of my machine, so he couldn't go too fast. It wasn't long at all before he was sewing on his own. We did easy things like bookmarks and mugrugs to start with. They were presents for his teachers. His next project is a lap quilt for his little sister, doing straight line quilting over charms. Good luck!

[Jean Sewing Machine]

Do not start them on toy machines! I bought two Singer toys, we never sewed one seam, they would not form a stitch. I bought a Janome 3128 for $90, and a matching Hello Kitty for my granddaughter and grandson. They could sew right away on the machines. They were 8 and 6 at the time. I have a Singer One machine that is the easiest machine to use. Last weekend I gave my granddaughter, now 8-1/2, a bag of scraps and let her create-- she did great! I didn't even have to hover over her! I'd say your grandkids are the perfect age, with a little basic instruction to use a sewing machine.

Look at this video. http://youtu.be/a8nDdgt5lq0

My grandkids' machines are exactly the same as the one this child is using in the video. Tuesday Morning sold the Kenmore models for $59 last Christmas.

[MRoy]

I started my grandkids out on a Singer machine with speed control and a start/stop button. In the beginning, each one sat on my lap as they sewed in case quick help was needed. They did fine. I think your granddaughters are at a good age to start to learn.

[coffeebreak]

I started my 6 year old grand daughter on the sewing machien sewing charms at age 6.She loved it and really took to it. I have the speed control to set and that really helps. The foot pedal had to be put on the phone book! But she did great. She listened and was patient. The perfect student! The second time we were togehter about 5 months later, I worked with her and she made her first lap quilt. Then just last monday she was here and I taught her how to make a pillowcase..she did it all! And I used the zigzag stitch to secure the cuff, and she was thrilled to use a new stitch. When we were done, she took it upon herself to sort through my scrap drawer and choose some scraps and totally on her own, figured out how to sew them on three sides to make a "purse" or pocket! These she gave to her cousins. I have heard those "beginer machiens" or the 'kiddy" ones (plastic needle) are a waste of time. I would purchase a cheaper store model...SInger, brother etc.. for around $100. Just enough for them to learn without being overwhelming. I started at age 10 on my mom's Necchi that was already about 20 years old! Straight stitch ONLY and no reverse! I think as long as they have the inspiration to at least try, and then can handle the safety part of it...let them try and see if they like it! My other GD...she was 11 at the time the other GD sewed the charms...she did the same thing and didn't like it at all! She liked choosing the fabrics and putting the colors together, but forget the machine and sewing! She didn't like that at all. Just give them a lesson WITHOUT A NEEDLE in the machine and show them where to place hands and WHY.. very important that you tell them why they put their hands on this side and that side...or where on the fabric to hold it. I told my GD, the right hand guides the fabric TO the needle and keeps the fabric at the right seam allowance measure and the left hand sits to the left toward the back of the fabric to help guide it after it comes out of the needle to keep it straight.

[grandmasieg]

My grandmother was a seamstress and she started me sewing at a very young age. There are movies of me at 3 sewing on her Singer treadle. When I was five she bought a featherweight and I took over that little beauty and I still have it. My mom did not sew so I sewed on weekends with my grandma. Grandma passed when I was 11 and her machines came to my home. My parents bought me a new singer in a cabinet for my 16th birthday. It wasn't until I was 18 and pregnant with my daughter that I sewed through my thumb! Trip to the ER to get the needle out. I'm glad I started sewing so young, I think if I would have waited until older I would have passed...too much other things to do.

[slamb13]

My 6 year old just sewed a complete quilt on my Babylock Elizabeth. I did the pressing and cutting, she did all the sewing.

It is super easy because we used the push button stop/start, so she didn't even have to use the pedal. If you are using a pedal-only machine, think about putting some kind of stopper on it so that she can't push the pedal all the way down to high speed. Speed control helps!

Susan